The company said its global reach, diverse customer base and cost-cutting were helping it weather the economic downturn and that it expected fourth-quarter results well above expectations.

Hewlett-Packard plans to operate a computer plant in the Chongqing area of China, expanding its presence in Western China.

Microsoft said it would buy back $40 billion of its shares, H.P. would repurchase $8 billion in shares and Nike said it would take on $5 billion.

Over the course of human history, writing, printing, computing and Googling have only made it easier to think and communicate.

The computer maker cautioned that slumping demand for technology equipment across the globe was affecting its business.

The computer and printer maker announced it will eliminate nearly 25,000 of its 320,000 j0bs as part of its plan for digesting Electronic Data Systems.

MTV’s mtvU channel and Hewlett-Packard will present “Engine Room,” a TV series that will follow contestants as they produce digital art using products sold by H.P.

Before they ship PCs to retailers like Best Buy, computer makers load them up with lots of free software. For $30, Best Buy will get rid of it for you.

Hewlett-Packard, the world’s largest technology company, continues to roll along financially — except in one traditional core business — its printing business.

Antitrust regulators for the European Union have approved Hewlett-Packard’s proposed $13.2 billion purchase of the technology services provider Electronic Data Systems.