Ben Curtis - the annoying, surf-talking Dell Guy in the computer company's TV ads - ended up in the hoosegow after cops busted him for allegedly buying marijuana on the Lower East Side on Sunday night.

Police say Curtis, 22, had just left a "Scottish-themed" party in a blue-and-red kilt, tuxedo jacket, beige kneesocks and white sneakers at about 11:30 p.m. when he approached a dope dealer at Rivington and Ludlow streets.

Officers from the NYPD's anti-drug Operation Condor watched as Curtis allegedly forked over cash to Omar Mendez, 19, in exchange for a plastic bag containing "less than 2 ounces" of pot.

Police immediately swooped down on the pair, charging Curtis, who lives in Manhattan, with criminal possession of marijuana and Mendez, of Queens, with criminal possession and sale of marijuana.

Mendez also had $2,500 worth of pot in a pouch around his waist, police said.

Curtis was uncharacteristically quiet at his arraignment yesterday, where he was released without bail.

Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Ellen Coin told the former NYU drama student if he keeps his nose clean for a full year, the charges will be dropped and wiped off his record.

"Do you understand?" the judge asked. "Yes, ma'am," said Curtis, dressed in dark nylon ski pants, white sneakers, two sweaters and a jacket.

Outside court, Curtis' lawyer, James Moschella, said, "We are confident that at the appropriate time, the charges will be dismissed."

Curtis' portrayal of "Steve," who proclaims on TV, "Dude, yer gettin' a Dell!" has driven up computer sales and spawned T-shirts, caps, backpacks and fan clubs.

But two months ago, Stuff magazine voted Curtis the No. 1 loser of the year, saying, "Even if you skinned him, he'd make an annoying rug."

A spokesman for Dell said no decision has been made on Curtis' future promoting the company.

"We are following the situation and really trying to understand what happened here," said the spokesman.

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