According to iSuppli, PC shipments actually managed to rebound in late 2009 and overall the global shipments grew 1 percent compared to 2008.

Considering the start of 2009 was one of the darkest times for the industry, the results are surprisingly good. However, the positive results probably don't mean much to several hundred thousand people who lost their jobs in late 2008 and early 2009, thanks the bleak forecasts. Analysts were trying to convince us that the economy was doomed and that there was nothing left to do but start farming turnips in company grounds and use dark server rooms to grow mushrooms. Bear in mind that mushrooms are closely related to analysts, at least when it comes to their dietary needs.

One of the big upsets in the 2009 results came from Acer, which steered of recession woes with rear admirals Wang and Lanci at the helm. The company almost managed to surpass Dell as the second biggest PC maker in 2009. Acer shipped 38.5 million units and grabbed 12.7 percent of the market. Its shipments grew by 21 percent, surpassing growth reported by the top five PC suppliers last year.

In contrast, Dell's shipments dropped by around 10 percent and the outfit secured a 12.9 percent market share, just barely. HP's shipments grew by 7.4 percent and its 2009 market share was 19.7 percent.

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