ABI Research predicts big growth for netbooks. No, scratch that. HUGE growth.

Analysts at the company predict that netbook shipments will hit 35 million in 2009 and looking head, 139 million in 2013. They reckon that smartphones have just about jumped the sharks and that the day of the netbook is here — and judging by their forecasts for 2013, which is still four years away, the netbooks are here to stay.

The expected market explosion for netbooks in coming times is described as a “perfect storm” based on what the netbook offers: a low-cost, low-power alternative at a price point of $200. Considering the growth netbooks have enjoyed in just a year, those figures for 2013 don’t sound unfeasible and signal even more exciting times to come for the genre.