In the computer industry the value has migrated from hardware to software.

FORBES: Marc Andreessen: 2012 Will Be Remembered As The Year Of SaaS

The devices are expected to jumpstart sales of computer hardware companies and suppliers at a time when growth has been an industry-wide concern.

FORBES: Magazine Article

The computer industry is split down the middle over support for Microsoft, with many hardware makers backing the company's campaign against the government, while many rival software firms are calling for a break-up.

BBC: Oracle defends Microsoft spying

"Now we have a good a idea of what it would be like to have the government run the computer industry, " said Jonathan Zuck of the Association for Competitive Technology, which represents software and hardware companies.

BBC: Government and industry hail ruling