UPDATE 1-Global PC shipments climb 2.3 percent-IDC

* PC market recovery continuing-IDC

* Acer passes Dell for No. 2 on global list

* HP increases market share to 20.2 pct

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct 14 - Personal computer shipments rose 2.3 percent in the third quarter as the sector continued its recovery, research group IDC said on Wednesday, with Acer Inc supplanting Dell Inc as the world's No. 2 PC maker.

Global shipments totaled 78.1 million units in the July-September period, IDC said, with all regions except Japan either meeting or surpassing expectations.

The growth in the third quarter follows year-over-year declines in the previous two quarters of 2009.

"Despite a continuing mix of gloom and caution on the economic front, the PC market continues to rebound quickly," IDC's Loren Loverde said in a statement.

Hewlett-Packard maintained the top spot in the global rankings with a 20.2 percent market share. The company grew shipments by 9.3 percent.

Acer's shipments rose 25.6 percent, propelling it into second place. Dell's shipments declined 8.4 percent.