Judge: Dell Inc. misled customers

NEW YORK -- A New York state judge says Dell Inc. engaged in repeated false and deceptive advertising of its promotional credit financing and warranty terms to consumers.

State Supreme Court Justice Joseph Teresi says New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo showed "many customers" are entitled to restitution, but the record was insufficient to determine how much.

A call to Round Rock, Texas-based Dell was not immediately returned Tuesday. When Cuomo sued the computer maker last year, Dell spokesmen said the company's conduct had been honorable, customers were its top priority, and it had six million transactions in New York between 2003 and 2006.

Cuomo said in May 2007 his office had received 700 complaints against Dell and they were still coming in.