Most people will have noticed over the last few years the sharp increase in the sale of tablet computers compared to traditional laptop and desktop devices. Well next year according to analytics firm Canalys,the lighter, cheaper and more portable tablet will account for 50% of all personal computers shipped globally.
Leading the charge will be Android powered devices, accounting for 65% of all devices with Samsung leading the way. Apple will have a 30% hold over the market share, making it the largest manufacturer in the tablet market. The remaining 5% will be taken by Windows whose Surface 2 tablet was launched in the last couple of weeks.
If these figures had been published five years ago, no one would have believed them. The HTC One had just been released, iPhone sales were booming but the first iPad hadn’t even been launched and Windows were the biggest players when it came to personal computing. Since the iPad has launched though the world opened up to the tablet market and for day to day general use, it’s become the ideal device.
The difference between Apple and Android devices is quite obvious and expected, Apple were the pioneers of the Tablet world and still hold the ‘cool’ factor. Despite Android having twice the market share of Apple in the Tablet market, I can’t see anyone in Cupertino getting worried just yet, they still have the more profitable business. It’s the measly 5% that Windows have, that’s going to start raising some concern.
Windows were considerably late to the Tablet marketplace, the Surface RT being launched in October 2012 (four years later than the original iPad). Sales were disappointing and eventually led to price cuts and other incentives to try and get a foothold in the marketplace. Luckily the Surface 2 has already kicked off to a good start, with plenty of people giving it exceptional reviews. Also thanks to the partnership between Windows and Nokia, there will more than likely be another few Windows tablets due for release next year.
The 5% is a small market share, but when you consider that this year it was only 2%, thats more than double. It will be interesting to see over the next few years if Windows can keep a slow, but steady growth and become one of the major players in the tablet market; or if the public will continue their current general lack of interest and put Microsoft in serious trouble.
Photo via