The Market is Deciding
Unlike IDC et al, I have no access to tons of information from all over, but I can see what is on “Bestsellers” lists on retail web sites. For tablets, I am still reading that Apple’s iPadtm is dominant. This is what Walmart says about tablet-PCs on their bestsellers list:
| Tablet | OS | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Pandigital Star 7″ | Android 2.2 |
$99.98 |
| Pandigital SuperNova 8″ | Android 2.3 |
$179.98 |
| Lepan TC970 9.7″ | Android 2.2 |
$198.98 |
| Coby Kryos 7″ | Android 2.3 |
$99.98 |
| Samsung Refurbished Galaxy Tab | Android 3.1 |
$349.00 |
| Blackberry Playbook 7″ 64gB | Blackberry |
$298.00 |
| Pandigital Planet 7″ | Android 2.3 |
$139.00 |
| Blackberry Playbook 7″ 32gB | Blackberry |
$248.00 |
| Maylong M-250 7″ | Android 2.2 |
$99.98 |
| ASUS T101-A1 10.1″ | Android 3.0 |
$298.98 |
| Apple iPad 2 9.7″ 32gB | iOS |
$599.00 |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1″ | Android 3.2 |
$489.00 |
So, with this little database, I conclude:
- Apple and Samsung are a bit over-priced
- Android/Linux’s price/performance beats Apple iPad all to heck
- Android 4/ICS still has not made a dent
- iOS will not have the lead in installed base much longer…
- A good tablet should cost ~$200
- Walmart is certainly not shy about Linux any longer…
I predict, in 2012, prices for tablets will continue to fall as the low-end devices keep improving and the high-end devices feel the competition. There is certainly competition in this market with the large range of suppliers, models, and prices. With the market expanding as rapidly as it is, I don’t see any shake-out of OEMs this year. That means a lot of tablets will sell. Some are predicting 100 million or more. I think it could be much more. I doubt that other OS with “8″ on tablets will do much in such a competitive market unless M$ gives it away or pays OEMs to install it but then Android has such a huge lead as does iOS.
My little survey suggests Apple and Samsung either are not selling as well as some say, or that there shares are overstated.