The economy is bad and computer sales are at the lowest point seen in years. Many of the top computer makers in the world are laying off employees to maintain profitability and viability. Despite the poor performance of the computer industry as a whole, the netbook segment of the market is booming.

DisplaySearch reports that netbooks are expected to grow 65% year over year in 2009 for a total of 27 million units expected to ship. The traditional notebook market as a whole is expected to grow only 3% year over year.

The research firm says that despite the strong growth of the netbook segment, it does not expect the small, cheap computers to replace notebooks. The big draw to netbooks continues to be the low price, small and portable designs, and basic functionality according to DisplaySearch. I wonder if netbooks will continue to be so popular after the economic crisis is behind us.

DisplaySearch