Data Monday: What Are Tablets Killing?

by January 14, 2013

As the popularity of tablet computers continues to grow faster than expected, other classes of devices are seeing decreased use as a result.

  • 122.3 million tablets are forecast to have been sold in 2012, up from previous estimates of 117.1 million units. (source)
  • Worldwide shipments of ebook readers will fall by 36% to 14.9 million units this year, and to 7.1 million units by 2016. The rise of multipurpose tablets are to blame. (source)
  • US sales of Windows devices were down 21% last month compared to last year and Windows-powered notebooks are down by 24%. This decline started since the rise of tablets and smartphones in the market. (source)
  • Consumers are moving away from “single-use” devices (basic mobile phones, point & shoot cameras, music players, etc.) opting instead for those that offer the ability to do many things like smartphones and tablets. (source)
  • This year mobile sales will account for 15% of all US retail e-commerce this year. Tablet purchases will account for 9.4% of all sales this year. Smartphones, which initially had a lead, will contribute 5.3%. (source)