Taiwanese quango MIC (Market Intelligence Center) released figures that will cheer the spirits of some in the PC industry while depressing others.
According to figures released by the agency, notebook PC shipments will reach 138 million units in 2009, up 11.3% on sales this year.

But the netbook market is going ballistic. MIC reckons that worldwide shipment of the small units will reach 22.64 million units in 2009, 102% up over 2008.

Combined shipment will grow by 18.8% in 2009.

Analyst Nicole Huang said: "The global notebook PC industry is about to enter maturity... further pushed by the weakness of the overall economy, the fact that the market is gradually becoming saturated and the intense price competition."

There's no need to get too excited, however, she said. "Although netbook PC shipment will see significant growth rates, this product type is only in the early stages of development and its ability to boost overall industry growth is still limited," said Huang.

Netbooks typically include fewer features than full blown notebooks so while some manufacturers of components will no doubt cheer the growth of this category, others will cry real tears. Those late to the market with such products will probably cry so much that they will create rivers and eventually oceans of saline solution.

The agency defines notebook PCs as units with screens of 10.4-inch and higher, while netbooks have screens between 7-inches and 10.2-inches. Any unit with 10.3-inch displays is no doubt in "notebook limbo".  X