2009 is likely to be an immense year for netbooks after the massive sales growth in 2008. With Acer knocking ASUS off the throne for sales recently, the competition is likely to become more intense next year, especially with many smaller brands looking to get their slice of the cake.

Lilputing via PC Mag has word on Asustek’s plans for next year, and that is an increase in notebook sales of 10%. Netbooks would of course play a big part in this, and ASUS plans to ship 44% more Eee PC netbooks in the coming year, equating to around 7.2 million units.

ASUS’ growth has been immense in some markets, largely thanks to its netbook sales, with Western Europe for example seeing a 200% rise in the third quarter of this year, which moved the company up to fourth in the rankings.