LONDON – Shipments of tablet computers will surpass those of notebook computers in 2016, according to market analysis firm NPD DisplaySearch.
Notebook computer shipments are also expected to increase from 208 million units in 2012 to 393 million units in 2017, the company said. Over the same period tablet computer shipments are expected to grow from 121 million units in 2012 to 416 million units in 2017, yielding a compound annual growth rate of 28 percent.
Overall mobile PC shipments will grow from 347 million units in 2012 to over 809 million units in 2017. The notebook computer will be 60 percent of mobile computer shipments in 2012, declining to 49 percent in 2017, DisplaySearch said.
Click on image to enlarge.Worldwide mobile computer shipment forecast (in 000s). Source: NPD DisplaySearch.
NPD DisplaySearch said mature markets would be in the vanguard of the adoption of tablets computers as the offering was more compelling where there is plenty of Wi-Fi connectivity.
Notebook computers will evolve under the challenge from the tablet to include thinner form factors, higher resolution displays and touch functionality and thereby blur the distinction between the two form factors, the research firm said.
Click on image to enlarge. Emerging and mature market tablet shipments (in 000s). Source: NPD DisplaySearch.