In pics: Top 10 billionaire tech CEOs

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Michael Dell
Dell CEO Michael Dell. Age 45. The soft-spoken Texan started selling computers from University of Texas dorm room 1984; dropped out to start Dell Computer. Went public in 1988, grew fast with direct-sales model, kept R&D costs low. Assets include 377-room Four Seasons Resort Maui in Wailea, Hawaii; stakes in IHOP, NorthWestern, Indiana restaurant chain Steak n Shake. Devoted Republican sits on US President's Council of Advisors on Science & Technology.

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Steve Jobs
Apple CEO Steve Jobs. Age 55. Currently on medical leave. The King of iPods was adopted by working-class couple; dropped out of Reed College when he couldn't pay tuition. Founded Apple in parents' garage. Fired after power struggle with chief John Sculley 1985. Started Pixar; credited with computer-animated blockbusters Toy Story, Finding Nemo. Returned to Apple in 1996, created iPod. In September added movies to the iTunes store and previewed iTV, which streams movies from computer to TV. Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 2004 and is said to be in full recovery.

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Larry Ellison
Oracle CEO Larry Ellison. Age 66. The brash software titan is still at helm of Oracle Systems, database outfit he cofounded 30 years ago. Reshaping the industry with a massive shopping spree; spent $ 19 billion buying 21 software companies in past 3 years.

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Eric Schmidt
Google CEO Eric Schmidt. Age 55. He has an electrical engineering degree from Princeton, Ph.D. from UC, Berkeley, began career in software at Bell Labs and Xerox PARC. Began at pre-IPO Sun Microsystems in 1983, rising to chief technology officer; led development of its Java technology. Briefly ran flailing software outfit Novell, but found perfect match in 2001 when Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin appointed him chief executive. Introduced new services (Gmail, Google Talk), taking on Microsoft with desktop search function.

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Jim Balsillie
Research In Motion Co-CEO Jim Balsillie. Age 49. Co-chief executive of Research In Motion, now among Canada's largest and most successful high-tech companies. President Barack Obama glamorized the company's BlackBerry brand by being the first US President to be tech-connected.