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Hewlett-Packard Inc. (HPQ) overtook Dell Inc. (DELL) as the leading U.S. computer seller during the first three months of 2009, two market trackers said Wednesday.

Meanwhile, PC sales in the U.S. and worldwide during the same time frame were slightly better than expected, which builds on new optimism about an industry turnaround this year.

Hewlett-Packard grabbed bragging rights from Dell because of surprisingly strong sales to U.S. consumers, and Dell's inability to take advantage of the opportunities, according to IDC. Gartner Inc., another data tracker, reported a similar change on the U.S. leader board after stronger-than-expected sales. It shows Hewlett-Packard is the player to beat in the United States," said IDC analyst Loren Loverde.

Also in the U.S., Apple Inc. (AAPL) shipped fewer computers during the quarter, but was able to slightly improve its U.S. market share, according to IDC. Consumer aversion to higher priced goods, which Apple is known for, led to the decrease in shipments, according to IDC. Gartner's view differed; it suggested Apple shipped fewer computers and saw its market share decline slightly.

Worldwide, PC shipments fell 7.1% as the economic crisis continued to unfold, according to IDC, with Gartner suggesting the decline was less severe. In both cases, the findings were slightly better than expected, which is generating optimism for the PC industry to return to growth by 2010 based on continuing demand for inexpensive and compact netbooks and falling prices. For the first time in memory, annual PC shipments fell in 2008.

The findings add to optimism for the personal-computer industry's turnaround generated Tuesday by Intel Corp. (INTC) Chief Executive Paul Otellini's comments about PC sales having hit bottom. Gartner analyst George Shiffler warned Wednesday that "it's still unclear if the global PC market has hit bottom," however.

The PC industry is coming off a quarter in which worldwide PC shipments fell after six years of consecutive growth. In the fourth quarter of 2008, shipments were down 1.9% compared with the last three months of 2007, IDC reported last month. This was enough to erase the usual bump PC sales seen from the end-of-year rush and the growing interest in buying low-cost netbook portable computers.

-By Ben Charny, Dow Jones Newswires; 415-765-8230; ben.charny@dowjones.com