Gartner Inc. made a series of predictions that can only make Apple look forward to the next three years, when their U.S. and Western Europe market share is likely to double, as a response to the success Apple has had with their products, compared to the rest of the industry. Gartner chose to publish 10 of over 100 predictions it reviews every year, and among them, Apple’s success by 2011.

“By 2011, Apple will double its U.S. and Western Europe unit market share in Computers. Apple's gains in computer market share reflect as much on the failures of the rest of the industry as on Apple's success. Apple is challenging its competitors with software integration that provides ease of use and flexibility; continuous and more frequent innovation in hardware and software; and an ecosystem that focuses on interoperability across multiple devices (such as iPod and iMac cross-selling).”

That shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering Apple has taken the spotlight as the number one hardware and software producer, with numerous fans in the United States and an increasing European market. The prediction gives Apple credit for its success, but at the same time, Gartner says Apple’s market share will also rely on other competitor’s failure to meet the consumers’ demands.

Another prediction, which comes somewhat in terms with Apple’s latest invention, the MacBook Air, estimates that most consumers tend to lean towards smaller, lighter, practical devices, rather than the average notebook. The tendency now is: the smaller, the better, and Apple is probably among the best companies to have adjusted to that demand.

A recent ChangeWave survey released January 17, shows Apple doing better than ever, with consumer sales of Apple laptops going up 17% over the holidays, while 33% of PC buyers declared their intention buy an Apple within the next 90 days. Moreover, Apple managed to overrun its competitors regarding customer satisfaction level, who have said to be ‘very satisfied’ with the Leopard operating system. The conclusion: Apple will carry on with its market success for the years to come…. or at least until 2011.