As more consumers flock to low-cost tablets, the desktop and notebook computer world is taking a hit. According to Gartner analysts, tablet shipments are projected to soar 53.4% in 2013, while traditional PCs are on track to drop 11.2% from last year.
Overall, however, the state of the tech industry seems healthy. Gartner is reporting worldwide PC, tablet and mobile smartphone shipments will grow 4.5% in 2013 (2.32 billion units expected to ship) with lower-priced devices leading the way.
Gartner noted the average screen size of the tablets in use worldwide ranges from 8.3 inches to 9.5 inches, but 47% of the 21,500 consumers surveyed owned a tablet that was 8 inches or less.
Those numbers are in line with a recent DigiTimes report that Microsoft has not kept pace with consumer demand for its Windows 8.1 computers and failed to promote the new models along the way.
'While consumers will be bombarded with ads for the new ultramobile devices, we expect their attention to be grabbed but not necessarily their money,' said Carolina Milanesi, research vice president at Gartner, in a statement. 'Continuing on the trend we saw last year, we expect this holiday season to be all about smaller tablets as even the long-term holiday favorite - the smartphone - loses its appeal.'
The mobile phone market will continue to grow, but consumers will be less attracted to higher-priced smartphones. This means growth is expected from 'mid-tier smartphones in mature markets and low-end Android smartphones in emerging markets,' the company said.
Wearables such as smartwatches are also seen as an opportunity among tech companies, but will remain a companion to smartphones for now. Gartner said less than 1% of consumers will replace mobile phones with a wearable or tablet by 2017.
Image: Flickr, DeclanTM www.best-budget-tablet.com For tablet reviews of the best budget tablets
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