240m vs 207m.
Tablet shipments are set to pass more than 240 million units worldwide in 2013, according to NPD DisplaySearch, passing the 207 million expected notebook shipments.
Shipments of tablets are set to rise by 64 per cent year-on-year, driven as a variety of large and small screened devices hit the market.
Indeed, Apple's classic 9.7-inch iPad has been the biggest player in the space, but smaller seven to eight-inch devices are to lead the market with 45 per cent of shipments – 108m units – while 9.7-inch models will account for just a 17 per cent share – 41m units.
In terms of largest regional share of tablets, North America will account for 35 per cent of shipments – 85m units – while China will be in second with 27 per cent – 65m units. Interestingly, tablet shipments in both markets passed notebooks in 2012.
Meanwhile, notebook shipments have the potential to pick up in the second half of 2013 as OEMs add more tablet-like features to the devices, such as instant on, all-day battery, and a slimmer build.
Richard Shim, senior analyst with NPD DisplaySearch, said: "The tablet PC market saw increasing investments in North America in the second half of 2012, from major brands that tested not only new screen sizes and price points, but also unconventional business models to support their efforts.
"The subsequent increase in shipments and demand underscored the benefits of segmentation in the market as it drove rapid market expansion. In 2013, further investments are expected worldwide, stoking demand to the point that tablet PC shipments will exceed those of notebook PCs."
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