Last week, it was announced that former force in PC manufacturing Dell was participating in buyout talks, which have included rumors of Microsoft throwing a few bucks at the deal. Dell clearly isn’t what it used to be. But a figure from Dell’s past says that in order to get back to where they used to be, they need to revive an old strategy.

Dude, you’re getting a computer with speakers, a monitor,a keyboard, a year of MSN internet access, and a Pentium 3 processor – for $849! Dude, you’re getting a Dell!

That’s right, the Dell Dude has spoken. Ben Curtis, also known as Slacker Steve from those early 2000s Dell commercials, thinks that all Dell needs to do to return to their former glory is kick the “dude, you’re getting a Dell” ad blitz back into gear.

“I think they’re making a huge mistake and simply need to bring back the Dell Dude!. That’s it. That’s all they need to do. If they brought me back, their sales, stock and media presence would skyrocket. That is by FAR the smartest move they could make,” he told Bloomberg.

It’s hard to tell just how serious he is. Since being let go from Dell in 2003 (after being busted for buying pot, although he was already on the way out before that arrest), Curtis has acted in a few off-Broadway shows and done some minor work on a couple of network dramas. He also worked as a waiter at Tortilla Flats for a little while.

It’s doubtful that even the power of Stoner Slacker Steve could fix all of Dell’s problems. But I wouldn’t be opposed to some new duderiffic ads.

Upon watching that relic of the past, did anyone else notice who’s riding in the car with Steve?

[Photo via IMDb]