Use of notebook computers is on the rise and is poised to surpass desktop PCs in 2009. Notebook shipments in 2008 will hit 136 million units, up 25.8% from 2007, estimated analyst Alex Yang of Lehman Brothers in a report issued in January. By contrast, desktop shipments will decline about 1.3% from 2007 to reach 143 million units.

In general, desktops have been on a path of single-digit growth in unit sales, while notebooks have enjoyed several years of growth above 20%. One unknown in the 2008 notebook market will be the impact of a new class of systems priced below $400, emulating the Eee PC from Taiwan’s Asustek Computer. The systems should start shipping by midyear and will be available from a variety of companies by the end of 2008.