Another Reason for Dell's Decline: The Shrinking Importance of PC Customization

I'm still thinking about yesterday's news that Dell is going private, a move which is in part a response to the company's long decline as a powerhouse of the PC business. Once upon a time, it was the industry's most reliable provider of good Windows computers, sold at attractive prices with solid warranties and capable tech support. When I worked at PC World magazine, and friends and acquaintances would ask for PC buying advice, I had a safe, one-sentence recommendation: "Buy the best Dell you c...