In 2014, tablets are expected to account for almost 50 percent of all personal computers (PCs) shipped worldwide, while desktops and notebooks continue their slide downward, according to a report released by Canalys on Tuesday.
Although the PC markets grew by 18 percent in the third quarter of this year, the notebook and desktop markets continue to decline.
Leading the charge will be Apple and Samsung, although this could change as more vendors enter the market, according to the report.
Apple still accounts for the lion’s share of profits derived from tablets, with Android making up the majority of the market share and Microsoft playing the catch-up game.
“To improve its [Microsoft’s] position, it must drive app development and better utilize other relevant parts of its business to round out its mobile device ecosystem,” said Canalys Research Analyst Pin Chen Tang in the Canalys release.
Android is taking the lead in the shift toward smaller, faster, cheaper, and more personal devices.
The forecast predicts Android will take up 65 percent of the market share in 2014, which is about 185 million units, with Samsung producing the most tablets for use with the Android operating system.
Vendors such as Acer, Asus, HP, and Lenovo have all entered the price war, with entry-level products available for $150 or less. With vastly different cost structures, these vendors will continue to find it extremely challenging to keep pace with local competitors, especially in APAC [Asia Pacific] and Latin America,” stated Shanghai-based Analyst James Wang in the Canalys release.
Although iOS and Android are the most popular tablet operating systems, Ubuntu, Firefox OS, Jolla, and Tizen could potentially rise to become the third, or possibly fourth, tablet operating systems.
You will find more statistics at Statista
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