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A successful launch of Microsoft Corp.'s (MSFT) new Windows 7 operating system will likely lift all chip makers if consumers and businesses are spurred to buy new computers - but some could see an especially strong boost.

In addition to Intel Corp. (INTC) and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD) - makers of the main chips running PCs - memory makers would benefit from a strong launch of the new operating system. And companies such as Synaptics Inc. (SYNA) that provide touchscreen features are positioned to benefit as well.

Microsoft's long-awaited Windows 7 is scheduled to be unveiled Oct. 22. The launch has been touted as an important driver of demand for PCs as the tech sector looks to recover from the recession, with consumers and businesses expected to grab computers with the new software after skipping an upgrade to Windows Vista.

Intel and AMD, along with graphics chip-maker Nvidia Corp. (NVDA), would likely see increased revenue from any pickup on PC spending spurred by Windows 7. Especially compelling is the prospect that corporate PC purchases, largely absent from the early stages of the tech market recovery, will re-enter the market in 2010 as IT pros become acquainted with the new software.

"I think there's a lot of excitement about Win 7, but again, the trend we saw for the bulk of this year, including the current quarter, third quarter, was driven by consumer sales particularly in notebooks and netbooks," Intel Chief Executive Paul Otellini said in a recent conference call.

"The corporate side is a bit different ... I would expect that that evaluation process will happen over the rest of this year, and we'll start seeing corporate purchases on a refresh basis begin in 2010," he said.

Meanwhile, features of Windows 7, particularly those that allow for greater use of computer memory and enable more touch-screen features, have the potential to spur demand for memory chip firms, such as Micron Technology Inc. (MU) or Samsung Electronics Co. (005930.SE) and touch-leader Synaptics

While Windows 7 requires less memory than its forerunner Vista, the new software doesn't cap the amount of memory that can be used. Some corporate users and creative pros may want the additional bytes for running sophisticated programs, increasing overall demand.

Lazard Capital analyst Daniel Amir added that the touch features in Windows, which include a full menu of multitouch commands like those used on Apple Inc.'s (AAPL) iPhone, should create increased demand for computers capable of reacting to fingertips as well as mouse clicks.

"With the software upgrades in Windows 7, touch will play an even more prominent role in human-machine interaction," he said in a client note.

Synaptics controls 65% of the PC touchpad market, according to Amir, and plans to have screens large enough for notebooks by the first half of 2010.

He said it wouldn't be surprising to see Synaptics "become a major player in the larger screen market over the next year."

-By Jerry A. DiColo, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2155; jerry.dicolo@dowjones.com