According to research by Gartner, the worldwide PC market will make a dramatic recover in 2010, posting a 10.3 percent gain in units shipped compared with 2009. The research firm also adjusted its 2009 forecast, stating a 6 percent decline in units shipped, to 274 million units, is now expected.

The falloff has been mitigated somewhat by what should be a stronger-than-originally anticipated fourth quarter. This latest forecast is brighter than two previous reports posted earlier this year by Gartner. However, George Shiffler, Gartner’s research director, said forecasts had to be adjusted due to stronger-than-expected PC shipments during the first quarter. He cautioned that there is still a great deal of volatility in the market and it is premature to say that a full-blown recovery is taking place.

Mobile PCs shipments should total 149 million units in 2009, a 4.1 increase over 2008, while desktop shipments continue to dive, falling 15.7 percent to 125 million units.