Despite weak performance during the fourth quarter, overall PC shipments were up for the full year in 2008. IDC said shipments rose 9 percent during the year, and noted this was better than the zero growth rate recorded for Asian PC sales in 1999. But PC companies are not out of the woods yet,

The chances of an economic recovery in 2009 look increasingly slim, with some predicting a long, painful recession ahead. That may spell trouble for PC makers during the coming year, with Asian PC demand expected to remain weak for at least a year.

"Officially, our global forecast is for things to start recovering slowly in 2010," Ma said.