Netbook shipments topped 36.3 million units in 2009, and are set to hit some 58 million units this year, predicts research firm ABI Research. These figures come as a new addition enters the marketplace: The media tablet, led by the release of Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPad earlier this year.

Indeed, ABI predicts that some eight million tablets will be sold this year, based on Apple's claims that it has already shipped a million iPads in the first month. And yes, media tablets will have some negative effect on netbook sales, resulting in lower overall growth this year.

Principal analyst Jeff Orr says he expects the netbook market to fragment based on the value propositions of different regions. Orr noted, "Functionality will be added to mainstream netbook products while at the same time an entry-level netbook solution will grow, with the aim of targeting some large emerging markets (including China and India) where PC penetration is still quite low."

For more on this story:
- check out the article at eWeek
- check out the article at ABI Research 

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