Dell Inc.

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EqualLogic doesn't think expensive data storage networks make sense. The company develops data storage systems designed for use in storage area networks (SANs). EqualLogic's products include disk arrays (PS Series), as well as storage management software with virtualization, resource pooling, and load balancing capabilities. It markets its products worldwide, primarily to mid-sized enterprises in the education, financial services, government, health care, Internet services, legal, and manufacturing sectors. Late in 2007 the company agreed to be acquired by Dell for $1.4 billion; the deal closed early in 2008.

Microsoft

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Microsoft's ambitions are anything but small. The world's #1 software company provides a variety of products and services, including its Windows operating systems and Office software suite. The company has expanded into markets such as video game consoles, server and storage software, and digital music players. Microsoft has reached settlements to end a slew of antitrust investigations and lawsuits, including agreeing to uniformly license its operating systems and allowing manufacturers to include competing software with Windows. In 2008 Microsoft made repeated efforts to acquire Yahoo! but was rebuffed by that company's board of directors.