After a week of putting out fires of Sony's making, Dell has lit up the faces of AMD execs by expanding its range of AMD-based machines from servers to the desktop. 

The move is seen as integral to Dell's drive for greater profitability, and a logical move in its battle with HP for PC market share. 

While a Dell spokesman could not confirm plans to extend use of AMD processors "beyond the current server range", AMD was only too happy to announce the arrival of an AMD-spawned Dimension in September.

Dell will offer AMD processor-based Dimension desktop PCs by September, AMD said in a statement.

"Dell's wider embrace of AMD processor-based offerings is a win for Dell, for the industry and most importantly for Dell customers," said Marty Seyer, AMD senior vice president.

"Dell's plan to expand the AMD footprint serves as a powerful statement on the strength of the AMD processor roadmap, as well as the demand that exists for AMD technology in Dell products.

"We look forward to working closely with Dell in bringing to their customers the benefits of AMD64 technology, the industry's open innovation platform."

Dell earlier reported a second-quarter performance deemed "disappointing" even by its own chief executive, Kevin Rollins, and an ongoing Federal accounting investigation.

However, the company has retained its position as the world's number one PC maker, for which title it vies with HP regularly, notching up a 19.3 per cent market share in the second quarter, according to industry watchers IDC.