The number of personal computers sold worldwide in 2101 is expected to increase 19.7 percent in 2010 to 366.1 million, from 305.8 million units shipped in 2009, according to a revised forecast from Gartner.

Worldwide PC spending is forecast to increase 12.2 percent from 2009 to reach $245 billion in 2010.

Just three months ago, the research firm was anticipating 13.3 percent growth in PC shipments in 2010 and 1.9 percent growth in spending.

Gartner predicts sales will be robust for the next few years thanks to rising home PC demand and rising business demands as the firms recover from the global recession and replace aging computers.

In addition to rising sales, Gartner analysts predict that mobile computers will make up a larger percentage of sales thanks in large part to sales of mini-notebooks or netbooks.

"Mini-notebooks are again forecast to boost mobile PC growth in 2010" said George Shiffler, research director at Gartner. "We expect mobile PCs to drive 90 percent of PC growth over the next three years."

According to Mr. Shiffler, mobile PCs accounted for 55 percent of all PC shipments in 2009 and by 2012; he expects that figure to rise to nearly 70 percent of shipments.