The Death of Dell

Anyone remember when "Dude you're getting a Dell" meant you were getting a quality computer with great service?

Then Dell made the fatal mistake of abandoning service. Many of its loyal customers found themselves both ordering from and trying to get service from foreigners with thick accents who couldn't help even when you could understand them.

Sadly, Dell has never recovered. After owning four Dells, I finally switched to another company who offered a better laptop cheaper. I imagine many have done the same thing.

Recently Dell announced what will probably be known as the moment it ceased being a legitimate computer company. They announced they were going to sell PCs at Wal Mart. Nothing says quality and service like putting your product in a store known for grumpy and poorly trained employees selling cheap shit that may last you through the season. What distinguishes a Dell from an HP, Acer, or E-Machines at this point? Couple that with Dell's decision to layoff 8,000 employees, and you have the makings of the demise of a once great company.

Don't get me wrong, both companies now seem made for each other. Both abandoned the ideals that made them success stories long ago. Now they can say they were there for each other on their inevitable downward slide.