For many years now the volume segment of the IT industry has been under the influence – some may say control – of two virtual monopolies: Microsoft and Intel. But not for much longer.

Linux has already made major inroads in the Intel/AMD-based server space and expectations are that this will extend to the desktop.

In the processor arena AMD has long waged a legal war on Intel – most notably concerning the monopolistic terms contained in that company`s contracts with its original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).