Tablet Shipments Top 72 Million In 2011

Tablets continued to eat up more and more of mobile PC market share in 2011, according to recent statistics from NPD DisplaySearch, which claims a whopping 72.7 million tablets were shipped in 2011,

That figure, according to NPD DisplaySearch, accounts for 26 percent of total mobile PC shipments worldwide.

The data points to a year over year growth rate of 256 percent for tablet sales in 2011. A vigorous demand for the super portable devices, along with additional distribution channels, were cited as catalysts for growth.

Approximately 187.5 million units of the more traditional notebook PC were also shipped last year, yielding a year-over-year growth rate of 12 percent. Mini-notebook PC shipments for 2011 are estimated to be 25.2 million units, up 20 percent from last year.

Combined tablet, notebook, and mini-notebook PC shipments reached a total of 285.4 million units, marking a year-over-year growth rate of 31 percent.

While the mobile PC segment seems healthy overall, the increasingly competitive tablet space will remain a key driver behind overall market growth, analysts at NPD DisplaySearch predict. The launch of Windows 8, however, coupled with the rise of the Ultrabook, will ensure the staying power of the traditional notebook PC.

"In the short term, tablet PCs will be the growth accelerant in the overall mobile PC market, as macroeconomic factors and hard drive motor supply issues impact the market for notebook PCs," said Richard Shim, senior analyst at NPD DisplaySearch in a statement. "In the longer term, notebook PC shipments will bounce back as ASPs continue to decline, Windows 8 launches, and new form factors, such as ultrabooks, continue to emerge."

The dozens of new Ultrabook models expected to debut at the 2012 International CES event next week seem to back Shim’s prediction. Intel has been driving the development of this new, ultra-thin notebook form factor since May, and major OEMs including HP and Lenovo have already come to market with ultrabook models.

Ultrabook demand will be driven by consumers’ affinity for sleek design and features such as instant-on and long battery life, Shim said. Initial price points over the next few years, however, may temporarily soften ultrabook demand.