The personal computer industry is on track to see 11.2 percent growth in shipments for the year, with notebook computers driving most of the momentum, according to one research firm.

Global PC shipments in the second quarter of 2007 were up in the range of 10.5 to 11.5 percent compared to the same period in 2006, according to iSuppli. In the second half of the year, worldwide growth is expected to be 13 percent compared to the second half of 2006.

"Notebooks clearly have sales strength and momentum right now, but what we find encouraging is the pick up in desktop sales,' said Matthew Wilkins, a principal analyst for iSuppli. "We saw year-over desktop shipment growth in the first quarter of 2007, and now our early indications are that second quarter shipments have built on this trend'.

In terms of PC makers, Wilkins said that we expect Hewlett-Packard Co. to retain its leadership position throughout the year, as the company has strong momentum, and is well positioned in the hot consumer market.

HP led all PC makers shipping 11.3 million units, good enough for 19.3 percent of the overall market. Dell's global shipments were down almost 5 percent-to about 9.5 million PCs-from a year ago, but remained in second place behind HP.