In 2007 notebook computer sales rose 41 percent, according to market researcher, DisplaySearch. Acer Inc. has now passed Dell Computer to rank as the number two notebook supplier, second only to number one ranked HP.

Acer announced 2007 consolidated revenue of US$14.06 billion, which includes two and one-half months’ revenue from Gateway, Inc., Acer’s newly acquired and wholly-owned subsidiary. Acer grew nearly 25 percent for the year, and indicated that it anticipates its notebook unit shipments to grow by 40 percent in 2008, with PC unit shipments increasing between 30 and 35 percent.

In North America, Dell did maintain its notebook market share, beating back HP by 3 percent. But Acer is fast on the other manufacturers’ heels in notebook shipments, and now that Acer has Gateway and Packard Bell in its fold, it surpassed Dell by more than 600,000 units in 2007.