Despite the excitement about the new Windows flavored tablets, ABI Research doesn't expect the device to make a huge impact on the tablet market this year and in fact, sees the Surface Tablet accounting for only 1.3% of all tablet shipped in 2012. Some of that is due to the late start for the tablet, with availability of the tablet not starting until October. But there is more than just timing involved here.
Microsoft Surface Tablet
ABI sees Microsoft believing that it will easily grab the "low hanging fruit," in other words, selling Surface Tablets to those in offices using Windows-based PCs. Of course, Windows will be offering some Surface Tablets powered by Windows 8 and Windows RT for those who want an ARM based processor. Each will find different buyers and will have different price points. The Windows 8 version is expected to cost nearly $900 with the Windows RT model priced at around $600. Obviously, ARM based tablets dominate now, with a 98% marketshare in 2011 and ABI expects more of the same this year. ABI believes that this fragmentation could put some sort of damper on Surface Tablet sales.
If ABI Research is correct, 2012 will not be the year to expect Surface Tablets to challenge the Apple iPad and Android flavored tablets. Whether or not 2013 will show exponential growth remains to be seen.
Alan, an ardent smartphone enthusiast and a veteran writer at PhoneArena since 2009, has witnessed and chronicled the transformative years of mobile technology. Owning iconic phones from the original iPhone to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, he has seen smartphones evolve into a global phenomenon. Beyond smartphones, Alan has covered the emergence of tablets, smartwatches, and smart speakers.
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