EXHIBIT 23.1

                             BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC.
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS



         We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statements  on Form S-8  (Numbers  33-83398,  33-66580  and  333-10837)  of Bell
Microproducts  Inc. of our report dated March 26, 1997  appearing on page F-1 of
this Form 10-K.


PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
San Jose, California
March 26, 1997