Mobile tablets set to overtake laptops in 2013

The number of tablet shipments is set to overtake laptop shipments before the end of 2012, and overtake the entire PC market before 2015.

International Data Corporation, who monitor worldwide tablet sales have predicted that tablet sales, will increase by a staggering 58.7% in 2013. 229.7 million tablets are expected to be sold in 2013, 144.5 million more than in 2012.

The PC market is rapidly losing ground to tablets such as Apple’s iPad and Google’s Nexus, as PC sales slump by 7.8% the second consecutive year of negative growth.

This is another clear sign that as the mobile market expands, the PC market is the most affected. It is becoming increasingly apparent that consumers are opting to spend their money on smart phones and tablets instead of laptops and desktops.

However, this could also be due to the fact that tablets are more portable, affordable and packed full of applications. They are also increasingly becoming the main means by which consumers’ access media that they previously would have accessed through their PCs.

This is also helped by the average price of a tablet which has fallen by 11% this year and is expected to fall further as consumers opt for smaller tablets, which are becoming increasing available, such as Apple’s iPad Mini.

Traditional PC manufactures are now putting significant resources into developing two in one laptop tablets, such as Microsoft’s Tablet Laptop range. This is proving that there is recognition within the industry that there is a need for companies to develop their products to a changing market.