The stoush over the value of the Dell computer brand seems to have subsided, with reports shareholders have finally agreed to a $US24.9 billion buyout offer put forward by founder and CEO Michael Dell with venture group Silver Lake Partners.

“Dell today announced that, based on a preliminary vote tally from the special meeting of stockholders, Dell stockholders have approved the proposal in which Michael Dell, Dell’s founder, chairman and ceo, will acquire Dell in partnership with global technology investment firm Silver Lake Partners,” the company said in a statement.

Prominent billionaire Carl Icahn had been vocal in his dislike of the proposal, saying the offer was too low. In a letter to shareholder this week Icahn said he thought the offer would now go ahead; “We therefore congratulate Michael Dell and I intend to call him to wish him good luck (he may need it),” Icahn’s letter says.

The announcement is a significant win for Mr Dell, who has been battling to reclaim control of his eponymous brand. Dell formed the company in 1984, and has been fighting to take it back under private control for over a year.

“As a private enterprise, with a strong private-equity partner, we’ll serve our customers with a single-minded purpose and drive the innovations that will help them achieve their goals,” Michael Dell said in a statement.