Another boost to the company's prospect is the planned introduction of a new line of laptop computers aimed at the consumer market.

BBC: News | The Company File | Apple beats expectations

While HDD production capacity will be constrained for most of 2012, demand is expected to increase due to the ramp of ultrabook computers with hybrid or conventional HDDs, the possible introduction of Windows 8 and pent up demand from the persistent drive shortages in 2012.

FORBES: Fragility and Recovery of Digital Storage Supply Chains

We saw the introduction of the microprocessor, personal computers, spreadsheets, word processing and West Coast style venture capital firms to fund them.

FORBES: It's 1974 Again