Dell Computer Corp is blaming problems with its notebook computers for a shock halving of first quarter profits (figures, page five), and warns that the second quarter will be no better, adn that its target of $3.30 a share for the year is now out of reach: the shares plunged $10 to $22.125 before the market opened yesterday: Basically, the notebooks are going to have a negative effect on earnings per share in the next two quarters, chairman Michael Dell told Reuter – adding that Dell is taking steps to improve its notebook business by setting up joint development opportunities with new partners and that a partnership with an electronics and communications provider was already in place, althugh he did not name it.
