Rise of Tablet Computers

FIRST CAME THE IPAD, NOW IT SEEMS EVERYBODY'S RELEASING A SLATE DEVICE.


If you ask people to pick one of the hottest gadgets this year, the tablet computer would definitely be on their shortlist. Many IT companies are eyeing a share of this lucrative pie after Apple's iPad starting welling like hot cakes when it debuted last year.

We will see more and more people walking the streets carrying a smart phone, or reading the news on a tablet instead of flipping through the pages of a newspaper.

The iPad has propelled the tablet head first into the market. With its revolutionary multi-touch screen and ability to run thousands of applications, it continues to gain favour.
Goldman Sachs predicts that iPad sales could top 37.2 million units in 2011 and technology research firm Gartner forecasts total tablet computer sales of 55 million units this year.
Nevertheless, price and software are also factors for the mainstream market. The good news is that choices are wider for consumers today. Challenging the monopoly of the iPad, dozens of other tablets are scheduled to be launched over the coming months, in a variety of sizes, from seven to 12 inches, and with alternative platforms and prices.
There are some running Microsoft's Windows 7 and webOS, but users who prefer an open platform have chosen Google's Android operating system, from which they can gain quick access to thousands of downloadable applications.
At least 40 new tablets were announced at the Computer Electronics Show (CES 2011) from brands including Samsung, LG, Acer, Asus, Motorola, HTC, Sharp and Toshiba. Hewlett-Packard and Dell have already released tablet devices.
The BlackBerry PlayBook from RIM is due for release in the first quarter and is expected to be launched in Thailand soon after. Looking at the specs, it could offer the biggest challenge to the iPad.

Samsung, the first iPad rival, introduced the Android Galaxy Tab in Thailand last year and the company said it will maintain the model as its star this year. Priced 22,900 baht, the seven-inch touch-screen Tab is nimble and packed with features. AsusTek Computer plans to release the E-Pad, a 10-inch device running on Windows 7 and Android here in March.
If you love a two-in-one device, perhaps Lenovo's IdeaPad U1 Hybrid device, which combines LePad, a 10-inch Android-powered tablet with a Windows-powered base station, is right up your street.
This year will also see local brand Android-based tablets hitting the market, notably the Wellcom A800 and i-Note from Samart i-Mobile, priced at 15,900 baht and 13,900 baht respectively. The latter is the lowest-priced device so far.
Thanachart Numnonda, director of Software Park Thailand, believes that price will not be the factor restricting the growth of tablet, rather it will be broadband availability and the price of a 3G connection.
The touch-screen device is best for reading rather than typing. The good thing about tablets is that it's easy to access applications. Components and usability features of the tablet meet consumers' needs.
Tablets do not really compete with personal computers, but they have caused the sales of PCs to drop.
"The tablet is the right answer for consumers today in dealing with the internet, email and reading newspapers," Thanachart said. He believes that, in the long term, magazine and publishing services will earn customer loyalty by creating content for the new devices.