Now, HP is reportedly considering another layoff of equal number -- and possibly as many as 30,000 -- according to a report by Bloomberg.

The timing of announcement was coincidental, and not unexpected because it followed the acquisition of EDS. But it nonetheless was the first big layoff in a tech industry that was retrenching. The industry eventually lost more than 250,000 IT jobs as the recession deepened.

An HP spokesman today declined to comment on the latest layoff plan, calling it speculation.

For IT employment generally, what will matter is where HP cuts its labor force. It employs about 350,000 worldwide, but does not report on the exact number of people who work for it in the U.S.

Analysts say that some cutbacks were expected following HP's that it plans to combine its personal systems and printer divisions.