Tablet PCs are finally poised to make their mark

摘要

With the continued growth of do-everything handheld electronic devices and the trend of replacing desktop computers with laptops, it's only natural that the tablet PC has finally come into its own. Tablet PCs currently make up less than 2% of portable computer sales, but reports show that market will soon grow at a rapid clip. According to a recent market forecast by Framingham, Mass.-based IDC, tablet PCs will account for nearly 10% (9.7 million units) of the 100.3 million shipments of laptops expected in 2008. Market researcher In-Stat, Scotts-dale, Ariz., predicts the worldwide market for tablet PCs to rise from $1.2 billion in 2004 to $5.4 billion in 2009.