HP (NYSE:HPQ), Dell (Nasdaq:DELL), Microsoft (Nasdaq:MSFT), Intel (Nasdaq:INTC) and PC Cannibalization

Concerns over the effects of the inevitable cannibalization of PCs by tablets has generated a lot of concern for a number of tech companies, including HP (NYSE:HPQ), Dell (Nasdaq:DELL), Microsoft (Nasdaq:MSFT) and Intel (Nasdaq:INTC).

If the quarterly report has any bearing on how other companies will fare, it's possible the effects of the drop in personal computer sales may not be as hard on companies as envisioned.

For Intel, their sales related to personal computers were soft for the quarter, but they more than made up for that on the server side.

The news that businesses are acquiring computers after holding off during the worst part of the ongoing recession, also is helping companies offset tablets sales.

Gartner said, "The bright side of the PC market during the fourth quarter of 2010 was a steady growth in the professional market driven by replacement purchases. However, the PC market will face challenges going forward with more intensified competition among consumer spending."

Each company will have to be viewed individually as to how much exposure they have to personal computers and how quickly they responded to expand to other products and segments.

So far other segments appear to be making up for lackluster personal computer sales, and that is good news for shareholders and investors.