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The firm's research shows that mature markets accounted for 58 per cent of the first billion installed PCs, but will only account for approximately 30 per cent of the next billion.

"Rapid penetration in emerging markets is being driven by the explosive expansion of broadband and wireless connectivity, the continuing fall in PC average selling prices, and the general realization that PCs are an indispensable tool for advancement," said George Shiffler, research director at Gartner.

The research firm has also expressed its concern at the way in which obsolete PCs are disposed of. The company reckons more than 180 million computers worldwide will be replaced in 2008; some will be sold to second owners through various channels, some broken up and recycled, but many will simply dumped directly into landfill.

"We estimate ... some 35 million PCs will be dumped into landfill with little or no regard for their toxic content," said analyst Meike Escherich. "It will become an even more pressing issue, especially in emerging markets, as the number of retired PCs grows with the continuing expansion of the PC installed base," she added.