Michael Dell Steps Up to the Mic

Dell's senior management should be able to provide some details about the company's new-found taste for mergers and acquisitions -- Dell has acquired five companies since July, including a $1.4 billion cash deal for EqualLogic.

With $11.2 billion in cash (excluding the effect of the EqualLogic deal), Dell has plenty of capital to shop around with, though it's unclear if Dell sees acquisition opportunities beyond the information technology management field.

One nugget of information that analysts don't expect to get from Dell is financial guidance for the current quarter.

Communication with the Street, like Dell's efforts to reposition the company, may occur one step at a time.