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,  333-10837,  333-41179 and
333-58053)  of Bell  Microproducts  Inc. of our report  dated  February 18, 1999
appearing on page F-1 of this Form 10-K.


PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
San Jose, California
March 31, 1999