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Tablet Shipments Will Finally Overtake Notebooks In 2013
An anonymous reader writes "Nowadays, it's not really a question of whether tablet shipments will surpass notebook shipments, but when. Back in July 2012, NPD forecasted 2016 as the year, but today it's saying this year will be it. More specifically, NPD estimated tablet shipments will reach more than 240 million units worldwide in 2013, compared to the company's projection of 207 million notebook shipments this year. This gap is significant enough that, even if NPD's estimates are out by some margin, tablet numbers will still overtake those of notebooks."
Sorry Linux, you can't have 2013, Tablet claimed dibs.
There are plenty of people who can do everything they use a computer for on a tablet. I would guess most of those people are not on /.
For example my mother and sister, both use their computers for email, facebook, a little research, some cheezy games (Solitaire) and that is pretty much it.
All of that can easily be done on a cheep tablet.
Personally I will keep my laptop with a keyboard, but even I do most of my email on my Nexus 7 these days.
If I were God, wouldn't I protect my churches from acts of me?
To the "tablets are a fad" crowd?
They were a lot louder 2 years ago.
Not because people want tablets.
2 different things. Many see them and say, so this is what I have to use?! My old clunker with XP still works and I do not have to put up with that bullshit or they demand a yoga or convertiable tablet/notebook since it is a touch optimized interface anyway.
I tried Windows 8 and it truly is a terrible gui. I can use it and even kind of get used to it out of habit and wanted to keep it ... well a little. Windows 7 went right back on after I had some glitches and realized it will be well supported for 8 more years so why change?
Until I see people actually say "I do not need a notebook. I got my phone or tablet instead?" then I will believe it.
http://saveie6.com/
It did take two whole years after all.
But I don't use it, and it sits on its charger. Soo lonely... =/
Bye!
While tablets alone may be shipping well (who can argue with the convenience of not having to lug around a full laptop), I'm seeing more and more people get keyboard cases for these. Also, with the plethora of Chinese Android tablets for dirt cheap, it's no wonder.
If computers were people, I'd be a misanthrope.
That's because *many* children uses tablets as a toy... just do the math.
Define "tablet"
Might sound silly, but the lines are blurring more and more. ARM only? X86? Android? MS-Windows-8 RT? MS-Windows non-RT? Keyboard attached or no? Docking? Lenovo Twist X86 machine with rotating touchscreen running Linux? 5" phone device? 6" phone? Lenovo Yoga ARM running RT? Lenovo Yoga ARM running Android? Chromebook?
For those who complain that Slashdot takes a long time to publish news, here's an article on something that hasn't happened yet!
That people'd rather have a low power, low performence tablet that cost more than low end, much more powerful, notebook, for the same price.
"Ok, tablet == iPad. None of those other "tablets" are selling that well."
http://bgr.com/2012/12/05/tablet-market-share-2012/
Not only does tablet not equal iPad. iPads look to have a smaller marketshare than Android in the near future.
I had a college professor (an excellent teacher, incidentally) who said in the 1970's that "Personal computers are just a flash in the pan" and that the general population would never be able to manage a real computer.
Why can't all of the laptops be made with rotating screens and multi-touch ? The hardware will cost the same once it's all tablets. There's really very little to lose. Maybe 2mm extra on the screen but the rest should be the same.
And there's so much to gain: People would want more and more responsiveness and will be willing to pay for extra computing and graphics power.
It's like the monitor resolution all over again... Can't they see they're causing this recession by artificially cartel-ling up and delaying technology ? Didn't the car industry failure or Apple success had anything to teach them ?
What a waste...
My wife is due an upgrade, she likes to surf, play games like Settlers, play videos, music. Her existing PC has Intel graphics, and isn't suitable for modern games.
It was difficult finding a small, quiet, cheap, no fuss PC, but then I found Settlers is made for Android too, and my problems are solved. She'll get tablet next.
I figure she'll be able to find all the games she wants for tablet as easy as PC, and I quite frankly don't like her PC taking up so much space.
This is why Wintel is doomed.
I don't think that word means what you think it does.
the general population would never be able to manage a real computer.
Anyone who's recently been on the business end of a tech support line/trouble ticketing system can attest that the general population still hasn't proven him wrong on that point, yet. :)
Last year, sales of pairs of shoes surpassed sales of new and used cars combined! Far exceeded!
Sales of socks exceeded sales of shoes for the 800th year running, and sales of toothPICKS exceeded sales of toothBRUSHES by over 10 to 1.
So fucking what? Tablets can't do all the things desktops can do, so that's like worrying that backpacks have outsold suitcases. Until people start preferring to travel using backpacks instead of suitcases, there will continue to be a market for suitcases. Tablets are NOT a direct AND complete replacement for luggage, just as socks are not a complete substitute for shoes.
So get over yourselves. So fucking what tablets outsold notebooks. Phones outsold tablets, and beer outsold all of the above, so fuck it! This is no big fucking deal, okay? Fuck!
will it categorise a convertible laptop as a tablet, a laptop, or both?
Once the Surface Pro comes out, there will be no reason to purchase a laptop ever again.