There’s no getting around it. The economy is in a recession, and the computer industry is being hit especially hard. Even companies as big as Google have announced layoffs, and who doesn’t know about Circuit City going under? Despite the bad news, the entire industry isn’t doomed. Here’s a list of five technology companies that stand a good chance of making it through these bad times alive.

1. Best Buy

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, but the closing of Circuit this year and liquidation of most CompUSAs in 2007 means Best Buy is the only big box guru on the playground. Sure, Fry’s and a few other smaller chains are still kicking around, but they don’t have anything close to the sales volume as the giant blue and brick chain.

Sure, Best Buy will suffer some ramifications as a result of the economic downturn and while it is true more and more consumers are heading online to do shopping, most people still choose to buy electronics locally. Less HDTVs and computers will be sold this year than in previous years, but people will still buy them, and many wishing to spend their money locally with Best Buy as their only option. Plus, their partnership with Apple and iPhone sales will help, too.

2. Amazon.com

With everyone looking for ways to pinch pennies, many are finally discovering the cheap Internet prices geeks have drooled over for years. Just ask Seattle-based Amazon.com, which saw a 9% increase in profits during the holiday season.

Amazon’s lack of sales tax as well as free shipping on orders over $25 has always been them a hit with frugal shoppers, and though they may see a decline in the sales of higher priced items, they will survive the recession. The road may get a bit bumpy, however, with states like New York wanting to add sales tax to online orders.

3. Microsoft

Despite a lack of success with Vista and a plan to lay off five thousand employees over the next year and a half, Microsoft saw profits rise 2% last quarter. Though the company may experience setbacks in this tough economy, they won’t be going away any time soon. More than 90% of computers run Windows, and even if Apple’s OS X is successful in gaining more market share in the consumer sector, the vast majority of Redmond’s customer make up businesses. Not only that, but the company still enjoys dominance with Office.

4. Google

Google, too, has announced lay-offs in recent weeks. A decrease in advertiser spending in its popular AdWords advertising solution has sent profits falling. Not only that, but Big G has always been characterized by lavish spending, hiring insane amounts of employees and providing expensive benefits like free gourmet food and yoga classes to everyone.

However, Google is still the search engine giant. The Mount View company’s free search and Gmail remain unparalled. The company will be forced to make some cutbacks over the coming year, but its dominance in the search industry will remain unchallenged, ensuring its viability.

5. Apple

Having sold on average 250,000 iPods per day during the last quarter, it’s no wonder Apple saw a $1.6 billion profit. The iPod and iPhone have made the company as hot as ever, and despite declining sales as of late and Steve Job’s illness, there’s no reason why the company can’t get through the recession in one piece.

Though a bit overpriced, Apple has been able to capitilize on the uniqueness and quality of their products. Their innovation and engineering remain unmatched. If you know you’re going to be short on cash for a while and need to make a purchase, there will undoubtably be a group of smart consumers who take the durability route over saving money and buy Apple.