We also think sales of hard disk drives will be hurt by the emergence of tablet computers.

FORBES: Seagate: S&P Capital IQ Cuts Rating To Hold From Buy

While flash memory in a separate smaller capacity SSD module is playing a role in these new ultra-thin computers the introduction of hybrid hard disk drives with a flash cache inside the hard drive may plan a significant role as well.

FORBES: Digital Storage Needs the Right Stuff

In a report last week tech tracker iSuppli found that rising sales of tablet computers are hurting notebook PC sales, resulting in a decline in sales of traditional hard disk drives which rely on spinning magnetic disks.

FORBES: Apple's iPad Behind $4.3 Billion Disk Drive Deal

Hybrid hard disk drives and some dual storage computers appear to be the great hope of notebook computers over the next few years.

FORBES: Why We Should Expect HDD Growth Later this Year

Apple, for example, has also frustrated hard-disk drive makers by featuring solid state drives across its line of notebook computers and eliminating spinning disks in the MacBook Air, its thinnest, lightest model.

FORBES: Apple's iPad Behind $4.3 Billion Disk Drive Deal

Fujitsu, for example, hopes to unload its loss-making hard-disk business, but it recently took full control of a joint-venture to sell computers as part of a push into computer-related services.

ECONOMIST: Japan's electronics giants

The desktop Apple computers, the iMac and Mac mini, will include a combination of hard disk drives and flash memory called a Fusion drive.

FORBES: Will A Fusion Drive Approach Become Widespread in Computers?