Tablet sales expected to rise fivefold by 2017
Global tablet computer sales are predicted to reach nearly 330 million units by 2017, up from less than 60 million units in 2011 according to a recent report by DisplaySearch.
By comparison, worldwide sales of personal computers (which includes desktops, laptops and netbooks) in 2010 were 350 million and are expected to reach 364 million units in 2011.
Global PC sales continue to slow
Worldwide Sales of personal computers are expected reach 364 million units in 2011, up 3.8 percent from 2010 according to an updated forecast from the Gartner research firm. While the numbers are expected to be positive for the year, the estimates are much weaker than originally predicted.
Tablet computer sales expected to top 55 million in 2011
The number of tablet or slate computers sold worldwide this year is expected to increase by nearly 200% to 55.7 million units according to recent report from DisplaySearch.
The firm also predicts the slate PC share of the overall mobile PC market, which also includes notebooks and mini-notes, will rise to nearly 35%, or 172.4 million units, by 2014. The total shipments of the mobile PC market are expected to reach 503.8 million units by 2014.
Almost 20 million tablet computers expected to be sold in 2010
Thanks to massive sales of the Apple iPad, worldwide media tablet sales are forecast to reach 19.5 million units in 2010, according to Gartner, Inc.
The research projects sales will rise to 54.8 million units in 2011, up 181 percent from 2010, and surpass 208 million units in 2014.
Microsoft rumoured to announce Slate plans next week
IN front of an audience at the London School of Economics this week, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said the company would be showing off new Windows tablet computers by Christmas.
Calling the potential iPad competitor “slates,” Balmer did not specify when they would be announced, however, Neowin is reporting that Microsoft will unveil its Slates plan at a press conference on October 11th.
