IBM's mainframe division finished a disappointing 2009 with a 27 percent fourth quarter revenue decline, but Big Blue is hoping the next generation of its mainframe computer will boost sales in 2010.

System z mainframe revenue dropped 27 percent in the fourth quarter compared to the same period in the prior year. The Q4 results followed declines of 26 percent in the third quarter, 39 percent in the second quarter and 19 percent in the first quarter.