The resulting open-source hardware platforms bridge desktop and embedded development, allowing developers to design to their specification and collaborate with the open source community on creative new applications.

ENGADGET: BeagleBone gets plenty of expansion options with new 'cape' add-ons

An update to the open source Flex framework provides developers with a common framework for building web, desktop and now mobile applications.

ENGADGET: Adobe announces Air 2.5 for TVs, tablets and phones, launches Adobe InMarket to package apps

Chrome OS, and its open-source sibling, Chromium OS, are Google's answer to the desktop computer.

CNN: My month with the Chromebook Pixel: A review

It has since been involved in "a number of massive deals for Linux desktops" and they're even in a "massive deal right now for... multi-thousands of units of a desktop opportunity for Linux, " claims Doug Small, worldwide director of open source and Linux marketing at HP.

ENGADGET: HP to beat Dell with Linux-loaded PCs?

Competition from rival open source operating system, Linux, is stalling Microsoft's growth in the server market, but desktop dominance remains intact: Windows installed in 94% of PCs being sold.

FORBES: Source: Microsoft