Windows 7, the latest operating system from Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), is expected to help jumpstart some IT spending. Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) also sees this happening. A new operating system often means a chance to upgrade from dated equipment that isn't worth upgrading, especially with favorable pricing for technology right now. Everything's coming together for a strong 2010 for the high-tech sector, so it's also worth watching Hewlett Packard (NYSE: HPQ), Dell (NASDAQ: DELL) and EMC (NYSE: EMC).

Paul McWilliams was one of the few to not be surprised by the upside surprises in recent quarterly earnings reports from Intel (NASDAQ: INTC), as he has been consistently more bullish than others on Wall Street.

In his Next Inning, the tech stock specialist -- who personally owns a position in the stock -- offers a detailed and in-depth review of the firm's latest results and outlook.

"For the first time in what now seems like at least a year, not a single analyst on the Intel conference call asked about whether netbook sales were 'cannibalizing' notebook sales.

Strong results for Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) came as a surprise to Wall Street; not to tech sector specialist Paul McWilliams, who has been adamant in his forecast that the company would exceed expectations.

In his Next Inning newsletter, designed for the tech-savvy investor. the advisor suggests that the story behind Intel's success is very simple and can be summed up in the expression "x86 everywhere." Here's his assessment.

"To a great extent, Intel's Q2 report proves that Wall Street wasn't only wrong about INTC, but wrong in a big way as to how the tech industry has managed the sharp downturn that unfolded during the last nine or so months.

"While The Street expected tech companies to react as they have in the past by adapting too slowly and stuffing supply channels with tons of inventory, tech companies demonstrated they learned lessons in 2001- 2002 and immediately clamped the supply lines and held back production while channel inventory was digested.