HP has completed two full years as the leading global supplier of laptops.

The company's success has been driven largely by an upsurge in consumer purchases, according to figures from market research firm DisplaySearch.

The report covering laptop sales in the second quarter of 2008 found that mainstream models with screen sizes of 13.3in to 16in were the fastest growing category, accounting for 88.5 per cent of the market.

Desktop replacement and ultraportable models actually shrank as a proportion of all laptops sold, which DisplaySearch attributed to the number of mini laptops launched over the past few quarters.

While HP had the largest market share globally, the positions varied according to region. Dell led in North America, while HP and Acer were top in Europe, pushing Dell into third position.

DisplaySearch said that, while Acer retained its position as third biggest vendor globally, the firm appears to be struggling to integrate into its portfolio the Gateway and Packard Bell brands it acquired last year.

"Gateway and Packard Bell were losing notebook PC market share prior to their acquisition, but the acquisition has failed to reverse, or even halt, that trend," said John Jacobs, director of notebook market research at DisplaySearch.