Tablets have been largely portrayed as Netbook-killers. The advent of tablets lead to massive decline in netbook shipment, however the
first quarter of 2011 has come as a bit of rude shock for tablets. The total shipment for this ultracompact device fell 28 percent during the quarter. No wonder, most of the tablet makers, barring Apple, are struggling. These findings have been illustrated in a report released by IDC, which however, chose to raise the shipment targets for the entire year.
Despite the dismal performance of the segment in the first quarter, IDC raised its annual expectations for tablet sales. The firm now expects the industry to ship 53.5 million units during the year. Earlier, the sales expectations for the tablets were pegged at 50.4 million. Android tablets formed 34 percent of the total tablets shipped during the quarter, which roughly translates to 8.2 percent increase in Android's market share.
IDC reasoned that the slump in the first quarter may be due to higher base set by the holiday season in the prior quarter. Damp macroeconomic environment may also be the reason behind the dismal performance. However, the demand is likely to be picked up again in the subsequent quarters. With the rumors of iPad 3, IDC may have to increase its shipment estimates again.