The future of tablets: Smaller, cheaper, and everywhere

We all know that tablets are taking up a bigger and bigger chunk of the computing market. But two reports out today from IDC show just how quickly and dramatically the tablet market itself is changing.

Traditional PC shipments peaked in 2011, when 363 million shipped. This year could mark an important turning point, as tablets outsell portable (laptop) PCs for the first time. By 2015, IDC thinks that tablet shipments will surpass PCs completely. (The company counts any slate-form device as a tablet, whether or not it has a detachable keyboard, but counts convertibles as PCs.)

IDC expects an awful year for traditional PCs, predicting a drop of 7.8 percent this year; it had been expecting a decline of 1.3 percent. We’ll see if even the revised number holds true – IDC had initially expected a 7.7 percent decline in the first quarter but it turned out that shipments were down a whopping 14 percent compared to the same quarter last year.

By comparison, IDC expects tablet shipments to grow 58.7 percent in 2013, reaching 229 million units.

Even as the tablet market is so quickly surpassing PCs, the tablet market itself is far from settled. IDC is expecting some pretty dramatic changes in shipments based on device size. Where the 8 inch to 11 inch category had 73 percent of shipments in 2011, IDC expects it to drop to just 37 percent in 2017. Tablets smaller than 8 inches will pick up the slack, IDC thinks. Those tablets had 27 percent of the market in 2011 and will jump to 57 percent in 2017. Larger tablets – surely for niche applications – are expected to get a bit of a boost, from 2 percent of shipments this year to 6 percent in 2017.

What size exactly will dominate the sub-8 inch category is anyone’s guess. Vendors are still toying with options. It could be that a range of sizes will continue to be available, with price and operating system playing into the popularity of various sizes.

Price is definitely driving some of the shift to tablets and away from laptops. This year, IDC expects the average selling price of tablets to drop a pretty dramatic 10.8 percent, to $381. For individuals or businesses looking to invest in a portable machine to supplement a desktop, that’s a very tough price to beat. That’s particularly true given that while the price of Windows 8 laptops has dropped since launch, most are around twice as expensive. IDC said that the average selling price of a PC in 2013 is $635 – although the more popular convertibles cost a couple hundred more than that.

The most recent tablet boom is being led by cheap Android devices, IDC said. That’s tough news for both Microsoft and Apple, which both have pricier tablets.

With more workers bringing their own tablets and PCs to work, price will become an even more important factor. IDC said that 25 percent of organizations with more than 10 people say they bought the PC they use for work. People tend to be more price conscious when choosing their own device, giving Android a continued boost.

That could be particularly bad news for Microsoft. IDC said that some of the corporate PC purchases – which tend to go Microsoft – that it expected this year aren’t actually going to happen. Given the choice, surely many users will go Chrome, Android, or Apple.

Nancy Gohring is a freelance journalist who has been writing about mobile networks, cloud computing and consumer electronics for more than a decade.

Apple’s next iPad Mini will have a Samsung-made Retina display

Just about everything has a Retina or “retinal” screen nowadays. Most products from the company that coined the phrase, Apple, come in a Retina version, but not the popular iPad Mini. With a new Mini on the horizon, reports are now suggesting that the device will receive the Retina upgrade, and that the screen will be made by rival company Samsung.

The Wall Street Journal, prolific with regards to Apple rumors, reports that the omniscient, ubiquitous beings known as sources familiar with the matter claim that the new iPad Miniwill release in the fourth quarter of this year and will feature a Retina display made by Samsung. The new iPad Mini won’t get any less or more mini and will stay the same size of the 7.9-inch model with which we’re all familiar. Like with every mobile Apple device rumor as of late, the company is also experimenting with colorful back covers for the next Mini.

Another interesting facet of the report is that Apple plans to tap Samsung — its biggest mobile device rival — to make the displays for the upcoming iPad Mini. The current model of the tiny tablet uses screens produced by LG Display and AU Optronics. It’s tough to tell if tapping Samsung to make the Mini’s display is indicative of either Apple’s lack of display-making ability, Samsung’s stranglehold on the display market, or both. It is likely, however, that Apple put in a call to Samsung simply because the company can produce the quantity and quality of screen Apple requires, and in the provided timeframe. At least Apple and Samsung have worked together before, and frequently — notably on iPod and iPhone chips — so this likely isn’t representative of Apple walking over to Samsung’s house with hat-in-hand.

Though a Retina iPad Mini is currently just a report — regardless of how omniscient sources familiar with everything under the Apple sun may be — it does seem likely that the Mini would include a higher resolution display, as one of its biggest rival tablets, the Nexus 7,just released with one of its own. While neither Apple or Samsung commented on the matter, AU Optronics did note that it would not be producing the screen, as it could not meet the rate of output Apple demands.

Rumors have been recently flying around in a will-they-won’t-they manner, suggesting Apple will produce a Retina Mini one minute, then decrying the notion the next. In all likelihood, these rumors of stark contrast are the product of Apple’s rigorous testing phases, wherein the company produces a wide variety of units, but in Highlanderian fashion, chooses only one in the end. With the last iPad Mini’s release creeping up on its one year anniversary in a couple of months, we can except to see a refresh soon, and this tangled soap opera web of the device’s display will all be revealed in a hopefully dramatic fashion

Top Ten Tablets

The new iPad                               10/10

The new iPad is an impressive device with a large selection of features available for entertainment and business purposes. The iOS 5 operating system and the A5X chip make this device fast and hard to beat. The display is stunning and there is no lag time with the virtual keypad or opening programs and applications. The thin size increases the portability of this device and makes it much easier and more comfortable to hold than several similar products. The new iPad is an excellent tablet that will be almost impossible to beat.


 

Microsoft Surface Windows          10/10

The Microsoft Surface is definitely a modern device. One of the most useful features of this Windows tablet is the built in kickstand. By using the kickstand, you can chat or view media without using your hands. The anti-fingerprint coating on the touchscreen of the Surface will help to keep your 10.6-inch screen clean and clear. Additionally, you have the option of purchasing covers for your Surface that not only act as protection for your device, but they will double as keyboards for convenient navigation and typing.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1               10/9.5

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is the best Android tablet we've tested so far. Its design is not coincidentally similar to that of the Apple iPad 2, which continues to set the standard but is now being challenged. If you're a fan of the many advantages of Android smartphones, this is definitely the tablet for you.

Nexus 7                                               10/9.4

The Nexus 7 tablet is a great choice if you're looking for a small and portable tablet. Even with its small size, it doesn't skimp on performance or options. It would be nice if the tablet had a rear camera, but the 1.2MP front-facing camera makes it easy to video chat. The interface is simple to manage and customize, and you have access to plenty of apps from Google Play. With plenty of great features, this device is one of the best small tablets available.

Sony Xperia Tablet S                         10/9.4

Packed with interesting and practical features, the Sony Xperia Tablet S is a finely made – if pricey – device that is very responsive and ready for show time right out of the box with its Android 4.0 operating system and included apps. If you have no access to Wi-Fi, there isn't a built-in option to access a mobile network, which will leave you high and dry if you need a constant connection.

Asus Transformer Pad Infinity         10/9.3

The ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity is an affordable, large tablet with a great backlit LED screen and many features and apps that ship with the device from both Android 4.0 and ASUS. The edges aren't as smooth as similar tablets' edges, so it isn't quite as comfortable to hold. However, the keyboard dock gives it extra battery life and an easier way to do heavy typing.

Kindle Fire HD 7"                                10/9.2

If you are searching for a tablet that also doubles as an eReader, consider the Kindle Fire HD. It offers plenty of features that will compare to a full-size tablet such as a 1.2GHz dual core processor and your choice of 16GB or 32GB of memory. However, it is small enough to take with you almost anywhere, and with its lightweight body, you will hardly be aware that you are carrying it.

Motorola Xoom                                   10/9.1

With the wonderful display, excellent battery and fast processor, the Motorola Xoom offers the closest technology to beating the Apple iPad. There are a few improvements that could be made including the option to expand memory, lighter design or even a built-in stand to make this device even more multimedia-friendly. But the 2MP and 5MP cameras, responsive and large touchscreen and even the Honeycomb operating system make this tablet the perfect device, especially for those who prefer the Android operating system and user interface.

BlackBerry Playbook                   10/9

The BlackBerry Playbook offers a wide range of features to make your job easier, especially if you are constantly on the go. Wi-Fi capabilities, excellent multitasking, video calling and Adobe Flash support are just a few of the features that enhance this tablet. And for a tablet geared towards business, this computing device doesn’t shy away from multimedia features, including a strong music player and superb dual cameras.

HP Slate 2                                     10/8.8  

The HP Slate 2 is an ideal tablet for business purposes. Though it may lack entertainment features, this device provides multitasking capabilities, a fast operating system and processor. If you want a device aimed toward perfecting the details, take a look at the HP Slate 2.

Why get a tablet

Although tablets first came in to the market back in the 1990’s, it’s the new range of these portable computers that has
taken the world by storm. Sales of tablet devices are booming with nearly 69 million units sold in 2011, which was an increase of 155% on 2010. Devices such as the Apple iPad and Samsung Galaxy Tab have hit the headlines and everyone wants a piece of the action.

So the question beckons: Why get a tablet?

Advantages:

• Lightweight – The physical strain of carrying a lightweight tablet is far less than that of carrying a full size laptop computer.
• Portable – The typical screen size on a tablet device is around 7 – 10 inches which means they easily fit in to most backpacks, carry bags, or briefcases.
• Presentations – A rising trend amongst students and business people is the use of tablet devices to run presentations. Loading a presentation on to a tablet device is relatively simple and unit can then be easily transported between meetings or classes.
• Fast start up – Most laptop computers generally take around 10 – 30 seconds to start up, h owever the initial start up on a tablet device is generally around 2 – 10 seconds.
• Easy web browsing – Portability and fast start up combine to make the tablet a first choice for quick web browsing, especially whilst on the move. A good example would be looking up a recipe for a meal. The tablet can be transported easily to the kitchen, the recipe found online, and the cooking process followed. This type of simple activity is where tablets excel.
• Education – Tablet devices are now widely used and accepted by education institutes across the world. The key reason for this success has been the ability to offer a more interactive learning experience which is warmly received by school aged children in particular. As a result there are now an increasing number of educational applications being made which will only further cement the tablets position within the classroom.
• Fun - There is just something fun about a tablet. It may just be the hype surrounding a new technological device, but most tablet owners swear by them. There has to be something to it!

Disadvantages:

• No Keyboard – One of the major drawbacks of a tablet PC is the lack of a physical keyboard, meaning that you must use the touch screen keyboard to type. This has little impact on activities such as web browsing or using apps, but does making it quite painful to type emails or text documents.
• Low processor speeds for work – Although tablet devices can be very helpful for making presentations, they do have processor speed limitations when compared to laptop computers. Processor intense activities such as rendering video, complex spreadsheets, or image editing are not suited to tablets.
• Less portable than a mobile phone – Although portability is often highlighted as a positive feature of tablets when compared to laptop computers, the opposite can also be said: Tablet computers are far bulkier units than everyday smart phones which can fit easily in to your pocket.
• Lack of ports – Many tablet computers do not contain basic ports such as USB or VGA which means you cannot use a cable to connect your tablet to another PC or TV. Flash memory ports have become commonplace in laptop computers but are generally not included on tablets, meaning you cannot place the memory card from your digital camera directly in to the tablet computer.

• No DVD/Blu-Ray drive – Although most software applications can now be downloaded via the Internet, the lack of a DVD/Blu-Ray drive is still important to consider. This limits your ability to use physical disks for storage or to watch DVD/Blu-Ray movies.
• Fragility – The thin glass screens on tablet devices are not made for absorbing heavy impacts. Tablets are moved around a lot due to their lightweight and portable nature, which means there is the likelihood of the odd bump or even a dreaded drop. Tablet owners often seek to add some padding to the device by using a protective cover or tablet case.
• Ergonomic discomfort – An often overlooked disadvantage of tablet devices is the strain they place on your body if used for extended periods. The dangers of repetitive strain injuries to hands, wrists, back and neck are commonly accepted for desktop computers, and these strains are substantially increased when using a tablet.
• Adobe Flash incompatibility – The Apple iPad in particular has received criticism for its incompatibility with Adobe Flash, which limits a user’s ability to open certain websites and apps. Some other tablet brands have incorporated Flash compatibility in to their products.

Summary

A commonly used phrase is: “A laptop is a tool, a tablet is a toy”. It’s probably over-simplistic to think of a tablet as a toy considering the range of functions they can perform, however it highlights that the current range of tablets are best used for recreational or basic educational activities. They are fun, easy to use devices best suited to web browsing and using apps.

The key question to keep in mind when considering a tablet purchase is: What do I want to do on this device? If you just want to browse online, use social networks, read books, view images, or use apps, then a tablet may be well suited to your needs. If you require the ability to type a lot of text or perform more complex computer functions then you will need to consider the benefits of a laptop computer.