Market of tablet computers loses many recognizable names

The market of slate computers is going to become smaller. Such companies as HP, Acer, Asustek and Dell may leave the market already in the near future. The companies are incapable of struggling with Apple, the market leader, and the producers of inexpensive devices, such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

According to DigiTimes, HP, Acer, Asustek and Dell will scrap the production of their tablet computers next year. The companies lose the price competition to those market members, who profit both from the devices and the content for them. They include e-book readers by Amazon (Kindle Fire) and Barnes & Noble (Nook Tablet).

For comparison, the price for Kindle Fire makes up $200. A Nook Tablet device is available at $250. The prices on tablet computers by HP, Acer, Asustek and Dell start from $350-400.

David Willis, the vice president of Gartner research company said at a conference in Australia that the world of business had accepted tablet computers. The makers of such computers will succeed on the market if they develop competitive applications as well.

The business world welcomed iPads enthusiastically, Willis said. The number of special applications for them is expected to grow in the near future.  According to Willis, a company may succeed on the market of tablet computers now only if this company actively invests in the development of new competitive applications.

Automated sales systems, including presentations and order registrations, enjoy the highest demand in the world of business. The second place is taken by analytical software systems for various market sectors, as well as various mail and office applications.

According to Gartner, Apple is the ultimate leader on the market of tablet computers. Its iPads and iOS take 68.7 percent of the market. Android comes next with 19.9 percent. Nokia's MeeGo with 13.4 percent comes next. Android OS took the lead in the third quarter of the year - 52.5 percent.

Some companies cut the production of tablet computers (Motorola, RIM), or scrap the production of such devices (HP). Other companies, such as Finland-based Nokia, plan to enter the market of slate computers next year. Nokia's tablet will operate on Windows 8. The official presentation of the new gadget will take place in June 2012. The new tablet will be available in the autumn of 2012.

In five years, by 2016, the number of tablet computers in the world will grow to 900 million. This year, the sales of slate computers and smartphones will exceed the adequate indexes for PCs by 44 percent.

Vitaly Salnik.