Tablet Shipments to Overtake Laptop Shipments This Year, Says NPD

Researchers from NPD DisplaySearch are predicting that vendors will ship more tablets than laptops in 2013. Previously, the firm had forecast that it would take until 2016 for tablets to eclipse laptops.

The Register’s Tony Smith wrote, “Will 2013 be the year that tablets overtake laptops as the most-shipped type of computer tech? Market watcher NPD DisplaySearch certainly thinks so. It now reckons some 240 million tablets ranging in screen size from 5.6 inches to 13.3 will ship during 2013 – almost 16 percent more than the 207 million notebooks that will ship in the same timeframe. Tablet shipments will be up 64 percent on 2012’s total, it also said.”

BGR’s Dan Graziano noted, “Apple (AAPL) has dominated the tablet market since its inception, however NPD predicts that smaller tablets will replace the 9.7-inch iPad as the tablet market leader in 2013. The firm estimates that tablets with a screen size between 7- and 8-inches will account for nearly half the market, or 45%, compared to an estimated 17% share from 9.7-inch slates.”

PCMag’s Damon Poeter reported, “NPD predicted that North America will continue to be the largest regional market for tablets this year. The research firm figures about 85 million tablets will ship in North America, for a 35 percent share of the global market, followed by China with 65 million units shipped, or a 27 percent share.”

CNET’s Lance Whitney observed, “Of course, the definition of a tablet versus that of a notebook is getting fuzzier. More manufacturers are releasing hybrid devices that double as tablet and laptop. Consumers who want the best of both worlds will find a greater array of choices. That evolution may make it more difficult to decipher market share but should benefit the industry overall.”