Taiwan-based Acer Inc will surpass Hewlett-Packard to become the largest player in the global laptop PC market in 2010, according to the firm's chairman Wang Jeng-tang, sources reported.

Acer expects to see netbook shipments reach 40 million units in the next year. Annual operating revenue is expected to grow by more than 70% in the next three years, and if all goes well will reach US$30 billion, added Wang, explaining that netbook sales will account for 50% of the projected operating revenue growth for the period.

If the PC market grows next year, it could be worth US$200 billion, so Acer's US$30-billion goal is modest, noted Wang.

Acer previously predicted that its operating revenue will hit US$18 billion in 2009. The firm's operating revenue reached a record high of NT$167.6 billon (US$5.2 billion) in the third quarter, reflecting a 5.3% year-on-year increase. Net profit was NT$3.47 billion (US$107.8 million) during the period.

HP currently controls a 20% share in the global PC market, followed closely by Acer with 14%, according to statistics released by research firm Interactive Data Corp.