The latest projections increase 2008 unit growth slightly from 15.2% in the June forecast. Strong growth in Portables & solid Consumer demand in most regions despite economic pressures helped boost the outlook. The success of low-cost notebooks will lead to further erosion of average prices, but will boost volume as more consumers purchase PCs for the first time or as additional systems. Ongoing wireless infrastructure upgrades and the growing role of Portable PCs as part of a digital lifestyle, rather than just computing device, will also sustain growth in both Consumer and Commercial segments, according to IDC.

"We continue to see a rapid transition to Portable PCs around the world, even as economic pressures rise," said Loren Loverde, director of IDC's Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker."