Tablet shipments from major brand vendors worldwide are expected to reach 42.15 million units in the fourth quarter, up 18.1% sequentially, but down 2.5% on year, as the market has started maturing.
Apple's new iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina display are expected to boost the US-based vendor's market share back to around 50% in the fourth quarter with Samsung Electronics to remain in second place. Amazon will become the third largest vendor thanks to strong demand for its Kindle devices. Lenovo, Asustek Computer and Acer are expected to be number four to six respectively, with Google dropping to seventh due to weaker-than-expected second-generation Nexus 7 sales.
Apple, Marvell, Intel and MediaTek will be the top-4 tablet application processor (AP) suppliers in the fourth quarter. Texas Instruments (TI) will rise to number five because of orders for Amazon's Kindle Fire HD.
As for detachable 2-in-1 devices, Microsoft and Intel's subsidies as well as the releases of the Bay Trail platform and Windows 8.1 are expected to pump up shipments for related products.
Digitimes Research's figures show that Taiwan makers' tablet shipments will reach 29.67 million units in the fourth quarter, up 31.9% sequentially, but down 18.1% on year. During the quarter, Compal Electronics' tablet shipments will surpass those from Quanta Computer, thanks to growth in orders for the Kindle Fire HD. Quanta at the same time will see orders for the second-generation Nexus 7 drop.