Dell has recently suffered laggard sales, a new odd-choice CFO, and accounting scandals. Global competitor Hewlett-Packard has had its own share of problems this year with the pretexting scandal that is still underway.

2007 is seen by many as the year in which laptop PC shipments will overtake desktop PC shipments in total sales worldwide. With laptop systems becoming more than enough for most home and business users, and having the ultimate in portability, this is no surprise and it was just a matter of time before this happened. There will always be a need for high-power desktop workstations -- just not for the normal consumer and business user.

With that said, the model Dell still clings to -- custom-building PCs once ordered -- will have its test next year as more and more laptops sell. HP and others seem to have figured out how to compete with Dell on a cost basis that matches the savings Dell sees by turning inventory fast and by selling direct. How this is, I don't know.

But this I do know : the resurgence in retail PC sales (and laptop sales) will not favor Dell a bit since it only sells direct. Combine that with its hard-to-comprehend custom laptop build process for new laptop PC orders against the competition having models in store shelves today, makes me wonder if Dell will be changing its manufacturing business model soon. Yes, it is one that has worked for the better part of two decades. Times change, though.