Dell focuses on service to sell higher priced line; Dimension line offers lower prices, less support. (Dell Computer Corp. now offers two major microcomputer lines)

As prices drop lower and lower, hardware manufacturers are focusing on service and support to draw customers -- especially corporate buyers -- back to higher priced lines.

"We see a very clear break between buyers who want service and support and those who want to pay the lowest possible price," said Joel Kocher, senior vice president of U.S. sales for Dell Computer Corp.

The mail-order company is using service and support to distinguish between the Dell Line and the Dell Dimension series, a low-cost line introduced last week as part of a price cutting move.

"We see the Dell Dimension series buyer as being the individual user who is familiar with computers …