Low-cost ultra-portables have contributed to a surge in PC shipment growth, which outperformed expectations with a 24.5 per cent increase for Europe, the Middle East and Africa in the second quarter of 2008.

And notebooks continued to drive overall market growth at more than 53 per cent year-on-year, according to research group IDC. Desktops also performed slightly better than expected at 0.7 per cent.

The market seems to have withstood difficult economic conditions and the near future looks positive, said Karine Paoli, associate vice president for IDC EMEA personal computing research.

"Despite a challenging overall economic environment that has raised concerns throughout the second quarter and on the evolution of spending trends for the rest of the year, the PC market continued to demonstrate strength," she said.

"And several factors inherent in the market itself lead us to remain optimistic for the second half of 2008."

She added: "Businesses may exert spending caution, but replacement activity will continue to take place, and the development of lower-cost offerings."