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1.  

   Back in the day.....

   

   haywood, Jan 31st, 2007 @ 3:33pm

   
   

   When I used to scrounge the computer swap meets for parts, Dell peripherals were about as good as it got. I remember the joy of finding a good used Dell monitor or keyboard. Often I would bring my finds home and have vultures lurking and never even get to use them as someone would give me more than I spent, and money is money.

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2.  

   What about Gateway?

   

   dorpus, Jan 31st, 2007 @ 4:13pm

   
   

   I remember in Berkeley in 2003, they opened a retail store. Thing was, the store clerks insisted on following you throughout the store at all times, because they were "required". They said there was a "3-item minimum" on purchases. They also said I have to sign my name in a book if I want to buy something. All their merchandise was twice the market rate too. So I dropped my merchandise on their register and left. Six months later, the store went out of business.

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3.  

   

   Solo, Jan 31st, 2007 @ 4:27pm

   
   

   "it's not clear what Michael Dell is going to do to turn the ship around"
   
   Probably something like:
   - build products that people want to buy. Extend the kiosk initiative to more malls across america.
   - improve customer service by employing more of the qualified tech. And less of the "another country, you know which one I mean" script reader that do not understand you and have absolutely no clue what a computer looks like.
   - Even more commercials on TV and ads in the paper.

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4.  

   

   yomama, Jan 31st, 2007 @ 5:02pm

   
   

   what solo just said in post #3.
   
   I stopped following dell a while ago, i had no idea the founder had stepped down. Its ironic though that when they came out i was a huge supporter, then over the last 5 years i cringe when someone mentions dell. course, i'm not a big fan of any of the big players...i generally put my own rigs together

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5.  

   Gee

   

   Anon, Jan 31st, 2007 @ 6:14pm

   
   

   Is anybody else reminded of somebody else that found themselves sinking when the founder stepped down? Their once solid reputation for quality products and service forever tarnished? Is anyone else reminded of ... Gateway?
   
   I just hope its not too late for Dell to turn it around. Once you ruin the public's trust, its exceedingly difficult to get it back. I know people who *still* won't buy Gateway because of the service they got back in '96. Most people don't realize that the company has changed, and this could happen to Dell.... not everybody keeps up with the tech news. ;)

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6.  

   

   Duhhh, Jan 31st, 2007 @ 6:17pm

   
   

   You have cringed for 5 years? Anyone else notice that coincides with Kevin's tenure as CEO?

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7.  

   Dell deals himself in

   

   Bill, Jan 31st, 2007 @ 7:14pm

   
   

   For many years Michael Dell has been awarding himself massive options grants and then dumping the stock like he can't get rid of it fast enough. He is still selling millions of shares. Maybe he could show a little faith in the company and himself and start buying it back.

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8.  

   Ugly Laptops but Specs & Prices Still On Top

   

   DF, Jan 31st, 2007 @ 9:36pm

   
   

   Spot on with your description of laptop trends hitting Dell. I recently bought a new laptop and returned two before I found one I liked. After initially being drawn to stylish designs from HP and Gateway I eventually returned one from each and settled on an ugly Dell latitude. Although the design looks about 4 years old, that aside I'm still quite happy with it. In my case the decision ended up being purely on tech specs, price and that little eraser head mouse :)

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9.  

   dumping founders

   

   rahrens (profile), Feb 1st, 2007 @ 4:55am

   
   

   Yeah, that scenario sounds familiar. Apple did that, too. Dumped Jobs and didn't get back on the road to recovery till they took him back on board.
   
   Seems like a lot of that going around...

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