Desktop computers to be assembled at new Dell plant in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Byline: Brian Louis

Dec. 23--Local businesses and consumers planning to buy Dell Inc. desktop computers late next year could be end up with computers assembled in Winston-Salem.

The 500,000-square-foot plant is scheduled to open next fall and will serve the computer giant's business and consumer customers on the East Coast.

David Frink, a Dell spokesman, said that workers will be assembling the company's Dimension and OptiPlex desktop computers at the plant.

Dell's Dimension computer line is targeted at small businesses and for home use, while the OptiPlex line is aimed at corporate, small business and institutional customers.

A complete Dimension desktop-computer package, including a monitor and color printer, was priced starting at $499 recently on the Dell Web site.

Workers at the …