Sales of their own-branded computers have taken a big hit and now the companies are scaling back unit volume projections for the first quarter. In fact, growth will be negative as these two netbook pioneers struggle to regain their footing in the face of the iPad onslaught.

Back in September, Stan Shih called Apple products “mutant viruses,” telling the Asian technorati gathered to hear his speech that his company, Acer, and other Asian PC boxen makers would eventually overcome the threat posed by the iPad, iPhone and insurgent Mac. However, that pronouncement was followed in October by the news that Apple Mac unit volume surpassed Acer in the US.

Now, with Apple expected to post double-digit Mac growth for Q1 and iPad still reigning supreme in the tablet space, CENS (Taiwan) reports that Acer is saying that its unit volume will fall by 10 percent. Moreover, the Taiwanese company’s net profits will come in under 2 percent for the quarter even as Cupertino’s receipts soar.

Acer hasn’t met its own sales projections for two quarters in a row and the company, which has relied heavily on netbooks for growth in recent years, has yet to create a meaningful iPad competitor.

Likewise, another netbook dependent Taiwanese PC maker, Asustek, says its PC sales will fall by 10 percent this quarter.

With the fallout of Japan’s devastating earthquake and tsunami all but killing the off chance Acer, or anyone else, will be able to deliver a workable tablet, the company is nevertheless optimistically predicting a return to growth in the second quarter.

Pillow time not an option…

When it comes to viral infections, doctors usually prescribe bed rest and fluids. However, resting on their wilted laurels isn’t an option and falling sales must be hitting cash flow — say it out loud, “Net profit under 2 percent.”

Thereupon, it’s good to see once cocksure Acer, which had been predicting the decline and fall of American computer companies, facing comeuppance…

What’s your take?