HP announced pricing and availability of its Windows 8 notebooks, all in one and business PCs.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

HP announced pricing and availability of its Windows 8  notebooks, all in one and business PCs.

HP Delivers Comprehensive Windows 8 PC Portfolio.

PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct. 24, 2012

---

HP today announced availability and pricing details for its new lineup of consumer and business PCs that are designed to work with Windows 8.

The new HP products, ranging from stylish notebooks and desktops to a tablet, leverage premium materials and a purposeful design philosophy to deliver a distinct HP look and feel.

Unique form factors, including a hybrid PC with a detachable screen, a business tablet with functionality-boosting HP Smart Jackets and an ultrathin all-in-one (AiO) desktop, enable users to take advantage of Windows 8 along with HP innovations such as HP TouchSmart technology. They also offer HP Connected Photo powered by Snapfish by HP⁽¹⁾ and HP Connected Music powered by Meridian⁽²⁾ for convenient access to photos and music.

“HP’s portfolio of ultrathin notebooks, sleek all-in-ones and high-performance business PCs is designed to meet the needs of customers anticipating the release of the Windows 8 OS,” said James Mouton, senior vice president and general manager, Personal Computer Global Business Unit, HP. “Consumers and organizations now can choose from a broad range of HP PCs featuring multitouch displays, versatile form factors, sleek designs or customizable solutions that address their needs.”

HP consumer notebooks⁽³⁾

The HP consumer notebook portfolio featuring Windows 8 includes a hybrid PC and notebooks with slim and sophisticated designs, multitouch display technology, strong performance and great value.

• The HP ENVY x2 is a powerful, ultrathin hybrid PC that delivers the power of a notebook and the freedom of a tablet in one stylish, lightweight device. A notebook that doubles as a tablet, the HP ENVY x2 has a detachable screen that becomes a full tablet when separated from the keyboard via a seamless magnetic latch. The HP ENVY x2 includes a vivid 11.6-inch diagonal high-definition (HD)⁽⁴⁾ touch display,  Beats Audio, an HD webcam plus an 8-megapixel camera, and near field communication (NFC) technology that lets users share content, including photos, contacts and URLs, with a simple tap. Expected to be available in the United States on Nov. 14, starting at $849.99.
• The HP SpectreXT TouchSmart UltrabookTM is a premium Ultrabook featuring a 15.6-inch diagonal multitouch Radiance Full HD⁽⁴⁾ IPS display, strong performance and a sophisticated all-metal design. Measuring 17.9 millimeters (mm) thin, this Ultrabook is HP’s first notebook with Intel® Thunderbolt technology,⁽⁵⁾ providing blazing-fast transfer of music, movies and data to external devices. Expected to be available in the United States in December, starting at $1,399.99.
• The HP ENVY TouchSmart Ultrabook 4 features a 14-inch multitouch HD⁽⁴⁾ display, a booming subwoofer with Beats Audio and optional AMD graphics with 2 GB of graphics memory. Currently available for preorders in the United States, starting at $799.99.
• The HP Pavilion Sleekbook 14 and Pavilion Sleekbook 15 PCs are available in sparkling black and ruby red and provide the performance and easy applications consumers need every day—now in an ultrathin style. Currently available in the United States, starting at $499.99 and $579.99, respectively.
• The HP ENVY m4 notebook PC delivers the perfect balance of mobility, performance and entertainment in a thin and light package. Currently available in the United States at Best Buy, starting at $899.99.
• The HP Pavilion dm1 now offers up to 200 MB of free data per month for two years of fast 4G mobile broadband service operating on the T-Mobile network—all with no contracts or commitments.⁽⁶⁾ Currently available in the United States, starting at $499.99.

HP consumer all-in-one PCs and consumer desktops⁽³⁾

HP’s new consumer desktops include AiO and tower PCs featuring the latest multitouch technology and offering head-turning designs and powerful performance.

• The HP ENVY 23 and ENVY 20 TouchSmart AiO PCs deliver 10-point multitouch technology, 23- and 20-inch diagonal HD⁽⁴⁾ displays, and excellent performance for working, playing and staying connected. The HP ENVY 23 TouchSmart and HP ENVY 20 TouchSmart AiO PCs are currently available in the United States, starting at $999 and $799, respectively.
• The HP SpectreONE is a thin and elegant AiO PC featuring a 23.6-inch nontouch flush-glass full HD⁽⁴⁾ display, a unique curved back and NFC technology, making it an entertainment powerhouse. Expected to be available in the United States in November, starting at $1,299.
• The nontouch HP Pavilion 20 AiO delivers performance, an attractive space-saving design and intuitive features to keep users connected to family and friends, all at a great value. Currently available in the United States, starting at $449.
• The HP ENVY Phoenix h9 desktop PC delivers a powerful computing experience for users who enjoy creating digital content and immersive gaming. Currently available in the United States, starting at $899.

HP business PCs⁽³⁾

Delivering outstanding performance, versatility and value, HP’s business PC portfolio maximizes productivity for businesses and government organizations of any size.

• The HP ElitePad 900 is a true tablet for business that balances a beautiful design with enterprise-grade features, serviceability and support. The ultrathin and lightweight Windows 8-based tablet⁽⁷⁾ also features optional HP ElitePad Smart Jackets,⁽⁸⁾ which add connectivity options and longer battery life along with specific add-ons that customize the tablet for specialized uses. HP ElitePad 900 customers also receive a free 50GB Box account, to make it simple to share, access and collaborate with their files.⁽⁹⁾ Expected to be available in the United States in January 2013. Pricing will be announced closer to the commercial availability date.
• The HP EliteBook Folio 9470m Ultrabook is ultrathin, lightweight and efficient. With enterprise docking capabilities and a swappable battery, the EP EliteBook Folio is built for the on-the-go professional. The HP ElitePad Folio 9470m Ultrabook is expected to be available in the United States on Oct. 26, starting at $1,049.

HP announced touch-enabled notebooks on Aug. 30,  AiO and desktop PCs on Sept. 20, additional consumer notebooks and commercial PCs on Sept. 20, and an enterprise-ready tablet on Oct. 1.

HP support

HP is providing customers an array of simple and easy-to-access support tools and resources to help customers. They include:

• HP Support Assistant is an on-product tool that provides a one-stop shop to help maintain the PC and avoid or resolve problems using automated updates and self-help options. 
• HP is creating a designated web support page for its Windows 8-based devices. Customers can easily upgrade their Windows 7-based HP devices to Windows 8, obtain necessary drivers for their HP products as they become available and seek answers to their other Windows 8 support questions related to HP devices by visiting www.hp.com/go/win8support.
• Printing-related instructional videos are available at www.youtube.com/hpprintersupport and computing-related videos are available at www.youtube.com/howto4u.
• The HP Printer Install Wizard will be available for a majority of consumer printers and will help customers select and install their print drivers. The HP Printer Install Wizard is expected to be available at the support landing page.
• HP will host a free Expert Day on the HP Consumer Support Forums on Nov. 28 to answer any questions specific to Windows 8 compatibility with HP laptops, PCs and printers.

About HP

HP creates new possibilities for technology to have a meaningful impact on people, businesses, governments and society. The world’s largest technology company, HP brings together a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure to solve customer problems. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com.

---

⁽¹⁾ Snapfish by HP mobile app download and Snapfish membership required. Internet service required and not included.

⁽²⁾  Availability of features varies by country. Streaming services may require a paid subscription. May not be compatible with all music files. Not compatible with DRM tracks. Internet access is required and not included.

⁽³⁾ Estimated U.S. street prices. Actual prices may vary. Not all models available in all regions.

⁽⁴⁾ High-definition content is required for high-definition images.

⁽⁵⁾ Thunderbolt is new technology that requires installation of driver updates for the product before use. Thunderbolt cable and Thunderbolt compatible device required and sold separately. Additional information for determining whether a device is Thunderbolt enabled for Windows 8 is available at https://thunderbolttechnology.net/products.

⁽⁶⁾ Registration required for service. Service starts on date of hardware purchase and is not available everywhere. 4G connection speeds will vary due to location, environment, network conditions and other factors. Available in the United States only.

⁽⁷⁾ This system is Windows 8 certified and supports the new Windows Store user interface. The integrated display resolution is below the threshold for Snap, a Windows Store interface feature that allows two Windows Store applications to be viewed simultaneously. This feature may be enabled by attaching an external 1,366 x 768 or higher resolution display.

⁽⁸⁾ Sold separately or as an optional feature.

⁽⁹⁾ Internet access required and not included. 50GB free individual Box account. Subscription required for additional storage space.

Dell aims to ship 30 million notebooks in 2013.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

Dell aims to ship 30 million notebooks in 2013.

Compal Electronics and Wistron have landed Dell's 2013 notebook orders equivalent to 70% and about 30%, respectively, of Dell's total shipments, according Taiwan-based supply chain makers.

The 2013 orders released by Dell to Compal cover almost all enterprise models, while consumer models are shared by Compal and Wistron, the sources indicated. Quanta Computer is among Dell's ODM in 2012, but has not yet landed orders shipments in 2013.

While Dell aims to ship 30 million notebooks in 2013, the goal ambitious based on projections that Dell will ship 20-23 million notebooks in 2012.

Hewlett-Packard is expected to decide its 2013 ODM orders at the end of July, and Quanta may obtain orders accounting for 40-45% the total while Wistron and Inventec are each likely to land orders for 20% of the total.

2012: Dell placed orders for 10 million business-use notebooks to Compal.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

Taiwan-based ODM Compal Electronics has obtained orders for 10 million business-use notebooks to be delivered in 2012 from Dell, according to industry sources. Compal declined to comment.

Dell placed 2011 orders for 7-8 million business-use notebooks with Compal and 2-3 million units with Foxconn (Hon Hai Precision Industry), but has decided to shift 2012 orders from Foxconn to Compal, the sources said. Compal is expected to account for 90% of Dell's total shipments of business-use notebooks in 2012, the sources indicated.

Compal's main notebook ODM clients will be Acer, Dell, Lenovo and Toshiba, in 2012, the sources noted, adding orders released from Hewlett-Packard and Asustek Computer to Compal are expected to increase from 2011 levels.

Business-use models will be a main source of growth in global notebook demand in the second half of 2011, the sources said, adding Compal expects to ship 48 million notebooks, 3.8 million tablet PCs and eight million LCD TVs in 2011.

Hewlett-Packard has sent RFQ (request for quotation) to notebooks Taiwan manufacturers for 2012 supply.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

Hewlett-Packard (HP) has sent RFQ (request for quotation) notices to potential makers for its notebooks to be launched in 2012 and is negotiating orders, with main placement of orders to be shifted from EMS providers to ODMs, according to Taiwan-based notebook supply chain makers.

In 2010, HP began to place many orders with EMS providers, including Taiwan-based Foxconn (Hon Hai Precision Industry) and Singapore-based Flextronics International, to increase competition to minimize production cost, resulting in cutting ODM's quotes and orders, the sources indicated.

However, EMS providers have appeared to be inferior to ODMs in terms of product quality and punctual delivery so far from 2010, the sources pointed out. 

While EMS providers have the advantages of lower mass production cost of a single model as well as lower production costs of molds and components, notebook production requires high capabilities in system integration, the sources analyzed. ODMs with 20 years of experience are superior to EMS providers in system integration, the sources indicated.

Some ODMs declined HP orders in 2010 and 2011 because HP asked for too low prices, the sources indicated. For 2012 orders, many ODMs think that the prices asked for by HP are basically acceptable, the sources pointed out.

HP is expected to ship 47-50 million notebooks in 2012 and Taiwan-based ODMs Quanta Computer, Compal Electronics, Inventec and Wistron are likely to obtain orders.

Fujitsu new enterprise notebooks slots mobile projector.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

Cameras, camcorders and smartphones  have had it, now laptops are getting the in-built projector treatment. 

Fujitsu is about to release two LIFEBOOK notebooks in Japan which feature a mobile projector where you might expect to find an optical drive – giving those who regularly provide on-site training or pitch business proposals an always-at-hand option for displaying presentations.

Unfortunately, there have been far too many occasions when I've turned up to a training room, office, college or school armed with a kick-ass presentation stored on my laptop, only to find that the on-site projector either won't work or is not compatible with my hardware. Carrying around a pico-projector is one back-up plan, Fujitsu's new LIFEBOOK S761/C and P771/C models would provide another.

Developed for enterprise customers, the LIFEBOOK S761/C and P771/C notebooks both carry a 40 lumen, 800 x 600 mobile projector, which may not be able to compete with bigger, brighter stand-alone projectors, but compares well with pico-projectors like Microvision's Showwx+ (848 x 480 pixel resolution and brightness of 15 lumens).

The LIFEBOOK S761/C features a 13.3-inch, 1366 x 768 resolution LCD display, 1GB DDR3 memory, 160GB hard drive and Gigabit LAN. There's a choice of Celeron (at 1.60GHz), Core i3 (at 2.10GHz) or Core i5 (at 2.50GHz) processors on an Intel HM65 mobile chipset and prices start at JPY 176,000 (US$2,154).

The LIFEBOOK P771/C has a 12.1-inch WXGA (1280 x 800) LCD display, 1GB of DDR3 memory, 160GB HDD and Gigabit LAN. Pricing for this model starts at JPY 238,000 (US$2,912) for an Intel Core i3-2310M processor running at 2.10GHz, with Core i5 also being available and Wireless-N connectivity.

The devices both run on Windows 7 Professional and include an optional zero-watt AC adapter which controls the power supply when the PC is turned off or in waiting mode, and the ability to set schedules so that the devices automatically draw power from the battery even when connected to the AC adapter.

Both notebooks will be available in Japan from mid-May, there's no word at the time of writing on availability elsewhere.

HP fine-tunes new notebook orders to ODMs

WorldWideTech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

Hewlett-Packard (HP) has reportedly fine-tuned again the release of its new notebook orders, raising the ratios of orders to Compal Electronics and Wistron, while lowering the portions to Quanta Computer, Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) and Inventec, according to industry watchers.

Compal and Wistron both declined to comment on market reports.

But the sources indicated that the ratio of notebook orders from HP to Wistron's total notebook orders has climbed to 10-15% recently compared to a single-digit rate previously.

Wistron has managed to win more orders from HP after the ODM moved its business unit it set up to work with HP exclusively from Xizhi, New Taipei City to Neihu, Taipei City, indicated the sources, noting that Wistron's office in Xizhi is located in the same building as Acer's headquarters which might have made HP reluctant to give more orders to Wistron previously.

Quanta shipped 5.7 million notebooks in March 2011, of which over 50% were shipped to HP, the sources indicated.

For April, Quanta and Foxconn will each have 40% of HP's notebook orders, with Inventec, Flextronics, Wistron and Compal sharing the remaining 20%, the sources revealed.

But with Foxconn planning to begin shifting its production for HP's notebooks from Shanghai to Sichuan in May, HP has adjusted the policy for the distribution of its new orders to ODMs due to concerns of production capacity at EMS firms, the sources observed.

Global notebook shipment growth to only reach 12% in 2011, consumers prefer tablets instead.

WorldWideTech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

Global notebook shipment growth will have difficulty in surpassing 15% on year and is expected to reach only 12% since buyers from the enterprise market are strongly fond of tablet PCs because of Apple's iPad and are considering replacing their existing notebooks with a tablet PC instead of a new notebook, according to Digitimes Research senior analyst Joanne Chien.

As more tablet PCs will start showing up in the second half of 2011, tablet PC's impact on the notebook industry will only expand further, causing global netbook shipments in 2011 to reach only 24.23 million units, while forcing the notebook industry to enter the initial phase of maturity, Chien noted.

Among top-tier brand vendors, China-based Lenovo and Korea-based Samsung Electronics, which have advantages because of their ability to endure low profits and to realize cost savings, are expected to achieve the strongest performance by scoring shares of 11.4% and 6% in the global notebook market in 2011 with shipments to reach 25 million and 14 million units, respectively.

Meanwhile, US-based Hewlett-Packard (HP) and Dell are expected to take a more cautious attitude over developing tablet PCs and will distribute their attention evenly to both the tablet PC and notebook business for 2011, noted Chien adding that despite Acer having a chance to become the largest notebook vendor in 2011 with assistance from sales in China, none of the existing brand vendors will ship more than 40 million notebooks in 2011.

As for the OEM side, notebook makers Quanta Computer and Compal Electronics are both estimated to ship over 50 million units in 2011 with Quanta even having a chance to ship 55 million units. Wistron is still working on achieving 32.5 million units in shipments. Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) will become the fourth-largest notebook maker with notebook shipments of 18.5 million units. Pegatron Technology will be able to ship more than 16 million units with Inventec to ship less than 14 million units, Chien noted.

Usuarios de Sprint reemplazando las notebooks con tablets. (Spanish)

Image via CrunchBase

WorldWideTech & Science. Francisco De Jesús

Sprint Nextel Corp tiene previsto ampliar su cartera de Tablet PC en el 2011 a los clientes de negocios judiciales que buscan reemplazar los caros equipos portátiles con los dispositivos de menor costo, según un alto ejecutivo de la N º 3 del operador móvil de los EE.UU..

La empresa de los mercados de negocio Presidente, Paget Alves, dijo el jueves que las tablets, que están conectados de forma inalámbrica a Internet mediante redes como Sprint son las más calientes nuevo gadget entre los clientes corporativos.

"Hay mucho interés en las tablets, un mayor grado de interés y una adopción más rápida de lo que he visto en ningún otro producto ...," Alves dijo a Reuters en una entrevista."No puedo pensar en cualquier cosa que se mueve tan rápidamente."

En particular, dijo que las empresas están buscando a las tabletas para sustituir las portátiles para los empleados como vendedores que necesitan para ver la información corporativa, como hojas de cálculo, pero no están involucrados en la creación de los documentos mismos.

"Los usuarios, que son la mayoría de los empleados de las empresas de servicios, se puede acomodar fácilmente por la forma de tablets y por lo tanto, terminar con una alternativa más barata a la portátil", dijo Alves.

Desde que Apple lanzó al mercado con su iPad populares a principios de este año, rivales como la surcoreana Samsung Electronics Co Ltd y el fabricante de BlackBerry, Research In Motion Ltd se han apresurado para obtener tabletas en el mercado.

Alves dijo el jefe de oficiales de tecnología de la información (CIO) le han estado preguntando por tableta próximo libro de jugadas de RIM, pero se abstuvo de decir Sprint venderá el dispositivo.

Muchas empresas usan BlackBerry por su servicio de correo electrónico móvil, que RIM apoya en sus computadoras propio servidor.

"Me he reunido con un buen número de CIOs que han una fuerte relación con RIM y tienen el interés en algo que es complementario al servidor basadas en los servicios BlackBerry", dijo.

Pero dijo que estos ejecutivos se reserva su opinión hasta que se pruebe el libro de jugadas, que se espera que varios competidores cuando se puso en marcha a principios de 2011.

"Hay un interés( en la BB Playbook), pero hasta que no haya más información disponible y tengan la oportunidad de probar el producto,  es un poco pronto para decirlo", dijo Alves.

Alves espera que hasta 12 tablets  que se presentaron en el Consumer Electronics Show en Enero 2010 y dijo que, mientras que Sprint no tendría todos estos dispositivos, que ampliará su selección más allá de la Samsung Galaxy Tab, que ahora vende.

"Esperamos tener una amplia cartera de tablets en 2011", dijo el ejecutivo.

Los analistas han estimado que RIM venderá entre 2 millones y 4 millones de tablets en el año fiscal 2012, que comienza a finales de febrero de 2011.En comparación, Apple ha vendido 7.000.000 iPad desde su lanzamiento en abril y los analistas esperan que otros 5 millones de ventas en este trimestre de las fiestas.

Sprint también planea iniciar una reestructuración masiva de su propia red en 2011, incluyendo el cierre de su mayor red de Nextel, que se utiliza sobre todo por los clientes de negocios a causa de su servicio de walkie-talkie, que ha estado sangrado a los clientes en los últimos años.

Esto significa Alves tendrá que llevar la carga en los esfuerzos para convencer a los aproximadamente 6 millones de clientes de negocios utilizando la red de Nextel para pasar al más moderno de la red CDMA de Sprint, que ofrece servicios de datos tales como acceso inalámbrico a Internet.

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6B853C20101209?feedType=nl&feedName=ustechnology

Google Taiwan : Acer, Samsung to launch Chrome notebook in 1H11

WorldWideTech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

Google Taiwan at a video press conference on December 8 announced its latest Chrome OS and pointed out that both Acer and Samsung Electronics will launch Chrome OS-based notebooks in the first half of 2011 with more vendors to follow suit at a later time.

Although Google did not reveal further detail of its potential partners, Hewlett-Packard (HP) is believed to be the first to follow suit and is cooperating with Inventec for production.(which have to be confirmed by HP in our opinion, because of the similar properties Chrome OS has with Palm webOS  ).

 Acer is believed to have outsourced its orders to Quanta Computer with Samsung to manufacture its machines in house.

Since Google only announced cooperation with Acer, Samsung and Intel over Chrome notebooks at the press conference, the two vendors are expected to adopt Intel's processors for their devices; however, Google also pointed out that it is also in cooperation with ARM.

As for whether Chrome OS will be adopted for tablet PCs, Google pointed out that Chrome OS is designed specifically for traditional notebooks and netbooks, but the operating system could be adopted by other devices such as tablets but it is still too early for the company to comment.

Google also pointed out that the black 12.1-inch Chrome OS notebook codenamed CR-48 it displayed is for internal testing and Google has no plans to launch own-brand notebooks.

Related articles

• Google Confirms Both Acer And Samsung Have Chrome OS Notebooks On The Way (crunchgear.com)

HP: The first 17” 3D notebook, the first 3D solution. Videos and specifications.

WorldWideTech. Francisco De Jesús.

The first 17” 3D notebook, the first 3D solution using AMD HD3D technology  or a Intel® Core™ i7-720QM Processor 1.60GHz with Turbo Boost Technology ,  up  to 2.80 GHz and the first full HD 1080p 3D notebook.

all Envy 17 owners can now download DDD’s TriDef 3D Ignition

DDD’s TriDef 3D Ignition is the middleware application that effectively manages communication between the game and the 3D hardware.

If you have an ENVY 17 3D system go here: www.ddd.com/hp-envy and follow the steps. It will check to make sure you have the right system and allow you to download and install the 3D Ignition software. Once launched, you can scan your system for the 300+ games natively supported and give access to a handy 3D gaming launching platform. If you want to run games in standard 2D, just launch as you always have. If you want to experience the stereoscopic effect, launch with the Ignition application.

ENVY 17 3D Takes Gaming Seriously with TriDef 3D Ignition

http://h20435.www2.hp.com/t5/The-Next-Bench-Blog/ENVY-17-3D-Takes-Gaming-Seriously-with-TriDef-3D-Ignition/ba-p/58437

HP's New 3D Envy, New Beats Edition

http://h20435.www2.hp.com/t5/The-Next-Bench-Blog/HP-s-New-3D-Envy-New-Beats-Edition/ba-p/58087

Gartner Says: impact will be from 7-inch media tablets on high-end smartphones

Driven by sales of the iPad, worldwide media tablet sales to end users are forecast to reach 19.5 million units in 2010, according to Gartner, Inc. Media tablets are poised for strong growth with worldwide end user sales projected to total 54.8 million units in 2011, up 181 percent from 2010 (see Table 1), and surpass 208 million units in 2014.

Gartner analysts said the impact of media tablets on other devices will vary among segments.

“The all-in-one nature of media tablets will result in the cannibalization of other consumer electronics devices such as e-readers, gaming devices and media players,” said Carolina Milanesi, research vice president at Gartner. “Mini notebooks will suffer from the strongest cannibalization threat as media tablet average selling prices (ASPs) drop below $300 over the next 2 years.”

Low-end consumer notebooks will only marginally suffer from cannibalization. Gartner analysts expect very limited cannibalization on communication devices based on open OS (smartphones).

  The majority of the impact will be from 7-inch media tablets on high-end smartphones as it will be hard for a user to justify owning both when the differentiation in usage model is very limited. Users buying a 7-inch tablet might opt for a lower priced smartphone with a smaller form factor.

What’s a media tablet?

Media tablets are slate devices that support touch and run a lightweight OS such as iOS, Android, WebOS or Meego. Examples of media tablets are the Apple iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab and the Cisco Cius.

Table 1Worldwide Media Tablet Sales to End Users (Thousands of Units)

	2010 Sales	2011 Sales	2012 Sales	2013 Sales
Media Tablets	19,490	54,781	103,425	154,150

Source: Gartner (October 2010)

North America will account for 61 percent of media tablet sales in 2010. As these devices become available in more markets, North America’s share of media tablet sales will drop to 43 percent in 2014.

In 2010, celluar/Wi-Fi media tablets will account for 55 percent of sales, and by 2014, celluar/Wi-Fi media tablets will account for 80 percent of sales.

10-inch media tablets to play a role as companion devices in the enterprise market

In the enterprise space, for the immediate future, the main use of media tablets is as a notebook companion or as a secondary device to take on the road or use for fast access to e-mail, calendaring, interrogating Web applications and information sources, and showing PowerPoint presentations.

The majority of knowledge workers cannot use media tablets to replace their notebooks. Since these workers usually also have smartphones, media tablets become their third device. Most organizations will not buy that third device. Because of the convenience factor for travel and an "instant on" for quick look-up functions, many users are paying for the media tablets with their own money to use both for work and pleasure.

As media tablets move from early adopters to mainstream, media tablets will become a family purchase as well as a personal one. The touch user interface, the applications available on the different operating systems and the simpler set up compared to a full-fledged computer make media tablets ideal for a range of consumers: from power users to techno-phobics. As costs decrease, media tablets will be added to the list of the devices lying around the house that are shared by the family. 

“Communication service providers (CSPs) who have so far subsidized mini-notebooks to drive mobile broadband uptake will shift their marketing spend to media tablets. Such subsidies will help drive adoption among those consumers who see the initial hardware cost as a hurdle,” Ms. Milanesi said. “For the rest, the freedom of paying for cellular only if and when needed, and not having to add another contract to the one a user might already have on his or her phone, is a great advantage and has so far proved successful for Apple.”

A detailed statistical outlook for media tablets is available in the Gartner report "Forecast: Connected Mobile Consumer Electronics, Worldwide, 2008-2014." The report is available on Gartner's website at http://www.gartner.com/resId=1451714.