Q2 tablet shipments top expectations

IDC claims growing demand for Apple iPads and new Android devices is driving tablet growth across EMEA

The EMEA tablet PC market performed better than expected during the second quarter of 2011, with the Apple iPad maintaining its position as the dominant form factor.

According to figures from analyst IDC, Q2 tablet shipments were up 82 per cent on the previous quarter and topped 4.4 million units.

The Q2 shipment figures exceeded IDC's earlier forecast of 3.7 million.

The analyst said the soaring demand for the Apple iPad 2, and the rollout of new Android devices, had led to the market performing better than expected during Q2.

However, Android shipments were lower than anticipated during Q2, said IDC, with fewer than 1.4 million units being sold across EMEA.

The same could not be said for Apple, which outperformed its rivals and maintained its position as the tablet market leader with 66.6 per cent share.

Apple's nearest rival was Samsung with seven per cent market share, followed by Acer with 6.1 per cent.

Looking ahead, the analyst said it expects media tablet shipments will reach 33 million units in 2012 and that the market will be worth €13.1m.

Eszter Morvay, research manager for IDC's personal computing group, said the demand for tablet devices is set to continue throughout the second half of 2011.

"IDC expects the EMEA media tablet market to continue to enjoy robust
expansion with shipments forecast to reach close to 22 million units, representing €9.1 billion in value in 2011," she said.

"The second half of the year will see a further expansion of product availability, which will lead to accelerating competition and more aggressive price points. The Christmas season is expected to be very buoyant with vendors positioning their products as the perfect gift," she concluded.