The computer industry has exponentially grown and has integrated itself as a major core business field that is involved with today’s primary industries. Computer programs and applications have become a part of modern living and will have major roles to play in the future.

Several computer and information technology companies have made significant breakthroughs and their recent contributions have ushered an era of a more advanced variety of computers.

Apple Computer Inc., which is led by its CEO, chairman, and co-founder Steve Jobs, continues to engineer efficient computers, laptops, and other multimedia devices designed for personal and professional uses. Apple Computer’s economic growth is notable, with over 35,000 employees worldwide and earnings amounting to $32.48 billion as of September 2008. Based in Cupertino, California, Apple’s latest creation includes the MacBook Air, which touts an ultra-slim design not present in other contemporary notebooks.

Michael Dell-led Dell Inc. is also one of the major players in the computer industry. Since its startup in 1984 with a $1000 capital, Michael Dell, the company’s CEO, has driven Dell Inc. into a powerhouse it is today. Dell’s line of PCs, laptops, and servers are staple office and home equipment and are used in many establishments today. One of the company’s notable services is the Go ToAssist, which is a remote tool that allows a support technician to view and work on their computers from a remote location and run operations on the computer such as rebooting and reconfiguration.

The Palo Alto-based Hewlett Packard (HP) has also made significant achievements for the computer industry. Currently led by CEO, President, and Chairman Mark Hurd, HP has gained remarkable growth and posted significant annual gains in the last three years – $91.7 billion in 2006, $104 billion in 2007, and $118.364 billion in 2008. HP is the sole American PC-centered computer company that publicly traded under the New York Stock Exchange.

The Tokyo, Japan-based Sony Corporation is a known manufacturer of general electronics devices and appliances, and is also engaged in other industries like the media. Manned by CEO and Chairman Howard Stringer, Sony Corporation’s computer series include the popular Sony VAIO line which has desktops, notebooks, and audio players. Several technologies infused with the VAIO series are: XBRITE, which provides clearer screen imagery and less energy cost; and the biometric fingerprint sensor for added security. The recent VAIO models are the first computers integrated with a Blu-Ray disc burner.

Microsoft Corporation also made major contributions to the computer industry, particularly the Windows operating systems, which are used by majority of computer users. Anchored by Bill Gates, founder and Chairman, and Steve Ballmer, CEO, Microsoft garnered an annual $60.42 billion for 2008. Microsoft’s line of applications and programs, such as Microsoft Office, Microsoft Servers, and Microsoft Expression are among the most used in computer history. The company crossed over to computer gaming with the Xbox 360 and has enjoyed tremendous success in that area. In the Microsoft workforce, there are four billionaires and approximately 12,000 are millionaires.