A bidding war is brewing in the technology sector as computer maker Hewlett Packard has launches a $US1.6 billion bid for data storage firm 3PAR.
That's trumps a $US1.2 billion dollar offer made by rival Dell last week, the BBC reports.
Along with IBM, the two firms are looking into more profitable business areas outside of making computers.
Last week, Intel made a $US7.8 billion bid for McAfee.