Michael Dell, Mark Zuckerberg of his time, strikes deal to turn it around

Michael Dell returned as CEO in 2007 and began carrying out a turnaround plan, dubbed "Dell 2.0,'' that included improving customer service, thinning the managerial ranks and expanding into new businesses.

Moorehead said it will probably take Michael Dell at least another three to five years to transform his company. That's a timeframe that probably would have caused Wall Street to grow even more frustrated with Dell Inc.

"If what you are trying to do is not being valued by your investors, you need to go somewhere else,'' Moorhead said. "They weren't getting any respect on Wall Street, so this is the best move they could make right now.''

Under the leveraged buyout announced Tuesday, Dell stockholders will get $13.65 per share. That's well above the stock price of $10.88 before word of the talks emerged three weeks ago. But it's a steep markdown from $24 a share six years ago.