Why the confusion around VMware
As far as I'm aware the situation hasn't changed since EMC bought them - 28% or something owned by EMC (now DELL) the rest public owned as its a publicly listed company. The same concerns were raised when EMC bought VMware initially, citing relationships with HP, NetApp, DELL etc being impacted or damaged - that didn't happen did it?. I can Michael Dell keeping it at arms length as it is now because VMwares relationships with other vendors rakes in a lorry load of money every year that he can invest into the rest of his business and paying down debt, even if in some instances it competes with other areas of his business.
Better to get a wedge on the VMware aspect of a deal that goes to someone else than miss out entirely I'd have thought?