CNBC network's David Faber, citing sources said that Microsoft is in talks Dell CEO Michael Dell and Silver Lake Partners to help take Dell private. Silver Lake Partners is the private equity firm eyeing a Dell buyout. Faber noted the investment wouldn't necessarily give Microsoft a significant equity stake in the company, but would help raise the funding needed to complete a deal. Dell declined to comment.

Last week, Bloomberg reported that Dell was looking to go private. The Wall Street Journal later followed with its own report that Silver Lake, Michael Dell, and at least one other investor were hoping to complete a $22 billion to $25 billion leveraged buyout.

Dell has struggled of late as it tries to shift its focus away from its traditional computer market to providing business products like networking and storage.