Worldwide shipments of tablet computers totalled 72.7 million units in 2011, approximately 25.5% of all mobile PC shipments, according to a recent report from Displaysearch.

The researchers estimate tablet shipments in 2011 will finish 256% than in 2010.

DisplaySearch says sales of all mobile PC's which includes tablets, mini-notebook and notebook computers is expected to reach 285.4 million units in 2011, up 31% from a year earlier. Notebook PC shipments in 2011 are now expected to reach 187.5 million units, up 12% from 2010 while mini-notebook computers are expected to reach 25.2 million units, up 20% from 2010.

Broken down that's
  • Notebooks - 187.5 million or 65.7%
  • Tablets - 72.7 million or 25.5%
  • Mini-notebooks - 25.2 million or 8.8%

“In the short term, tablet PCs will be the growth accelerant in the overall mobile PC market,” said Richard Shim, Senior Analyst at NPD DisplaySearch. “In the longer term, notebook PC shipments will bounce back as average selling prices continue to decline, Windows 8 launches, and new form factors, such as ultrabooks, continue to emerge.”

By 2017, the company predicts notebook PC shipments will reach 432 million units, while tablet PC shipments are predicted to reach 383.3 million units. Ultrabooks are an emerging form factor that is expected to contribute to demand in later years of the forecast. Demand for ultrabooks will be driven by consumer interest in sleek design and convenience like instant-on and long battery life. For the next two years, the premium price points of Ultrabooks will temper demand, and there may be some supply limitations in production of displays thin enough for Ultrabooks.”



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