ROUND ROCK, TX - Dell Computer has reported fiscal fourth-quarter results below analyst's expectations. Dell reported profit for fiscal Q4 of $679 million, or 31cents a share, 14% below the 36 cents analysts had predicted. Sales for the quarter were $16 billion, below the $16.27 billion expected, but up from $14.5 billion year-over-year.

The computer maker blamed turnaround costs, "conservative" consumer spending, and the effort to reverse a sales and market-share decline that led to last year's resignation of former CEO Kevin Rollins.

Dell released a statement saying that it expects to "incur costs as it realigns its business to improve growth and profitability, adversely impacting the company's near-term performance."

The company will reportedly increase customer service, begin selling its products through retail outlets, end direct-to-consumer sales, and reportedly lay off 10% of its workforce, or almost 9,000 jobs.

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