Blame it on bland design. Or no real retail presence. Or a lack of R&D. Whatever way you slice it, Dell is in a heap of trouble.

 

According to IDC, a technology market analysis firm, Dell's worldwide PC shipments dropped by 8.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2006, while the overall market expanded by 8.7 percent. For those scoring at home, that's not good. Dell was hit particularly hard in the mobile space, as its notebook sales declined by 2 percent during that time, a period in which the industry as whole saw a robust 20 percent growth.

 

In an attempt to steady the rocking ship, Michael Dell recently returned as CEO and made several key personnel changes, including the hiring of Ronald G. Garriques (former Motorola Executive VP) as president of the entire Global Consumer Group. In addition, Dell launched Dell Idea Storm (www.dellideastorm.com), an online community where members vote in a Digg-like fashion on user-submitted ideas and suggestions that they feel the company should adopt.

 

While Dell is wise to heed its customers' input, LAPTOP turned to three people who know the industry inside and out, Stephen Baker of NPD Group, Samir Bhavnani of Current Analysis, and David Daoud of IDC, to get their expert opinions on what Dell needs to do turn things around. Finally, LAPTOP's editor in chief plays CEO by offering his own suggestions. Michael Dell, we hope you're reading.