iSuppli reckons that strong momentum of the system will build during 2008, estimating that Sony will sell roughly 10.2 million PS3s worldwide through the year and double its install base to over 20 million users. Sustained growth will propel the PS3 to some 38.4 million users by 2011, which the firm suggests will position Sony as the "industry leader" in installed units.

The Wii is projected to maintain its lead through 2008, selling 12.2 million hardware units and putting it on top for the year at over 30 million users worldwide. iSuppli's estimate of the Wii's total market share in 2011 was not provided, but the firm's projection that the PS3 will lead at 38.4 million units by 2011 seems to indicate that it believes the Wii will sell less than 8.2 million units over three years.

January hardware sales figures reported by sales-tracking firm NPD yesterday show that the PlayStation 3 outsold the Xbox 360 for the first time since the system launched in November, 2006.