Intel Corp. CEO Paul Otellini earlier this week indicated that the slump in world wide computer sales seems to be ending.

Market research firm Gartner echoes that sentiment and projects that year-end totals for PC sales will only be down 2%, and not the 6% they had originally forecast.

Sales are expected to account for 285 million units shipped, down from last year's total of 291 million.

The release later this month of Windows 7 is not expected to be much of a factor as significant adoption won't likely occur until next year.

For their part, Netbook sales will be a factor. 25 million of the smaller laptop version were sold this year, and that number is estimated to increase to 37 million in 2010.