The popularity of so-called netbooks is set to reach new heights as analysts predict sales of more than eight million units this year.

Taiwan-based Market Intelligence Centre said that shipments will more than double to 18.3 million in 2009, an annual growth rate of 128 per cent.

The Asus Eee PC dominated the market for the new low-price mini notebooks in the first half of 2008, according to senior Market Intelligence Centre analyst Chris Wei.

However, a host of other vendors are looking to take advantage of the popularity of netbooks, including HP, Dell and Acer. Even Apple is rumoured to be planning a device in the category.

As PC sales flatten, industry experts anticipate that laptops will become the main computer in most households, while netbooks will act as usable mobile devices.

With price points starting around the £199 mark, netbooks typically sport a screen size of between 7in and 10in, and usually run Windows XP with Linux as a popular second choice.

Weighing in at less than 1kg they also come with longer lasting batteries and connect wirelessly to the internet.