Is the iPad killing the PC market?

PC suppliers like Microsoft and Intel are in store for some bad news. Acer told investors to brace, anticipating their second quarter sales to be down 10 percent from last year. The company’s netbook sales took a beating. A grim picture compared to Apple’s iPad first quarter earnings.

In the past, tablets were classed in the same category with notebooks, while smartphones were separate. For companies like Acer whose strategy is to focus on tablets and smarphones, the consolidation makes sense. Acer is hedging its bets on Android for the devices.

PC suppliers like Microsoft and Intel are in store for some bad news. Acer told investors to brace, anticipating their second quarter sales to be down 10 percent from last year. The company’s netbook sales took a beating. A grim picture compared to Apple’s iPad first quarter earnings.

In the past, tablets were classed in the same category with notebooks, while smartphones were separate. For companies like Acer whose strategy is to focus on tablets and smarphones, the consolidation makes sense. Acer is hedging its bets on Android for the devices.

For now, it remains at the bottom of the top 5 in the PC market – with sales down more than 1 percent according to research firm IDC.

While technology companies battle in the race to rival the iPad, the prospects of competing with the uber device are slim to none. Firstly, the iPad is a hit and holds a strong position in the tablet market. Second, you can’t beat 3 devices in 1. Third, what’s not to like?

The only way to compete with the iPad, is a cheap shot: price.

IDC reported 10 million tablets were shipped in the fourth quarter of 2011. Apple’s share of that pie was 73 percent. However, down from 93 percent in the previous quarter. So maybe there signs competition is indeed creeping up on the giant.

Samsung’s Galaxy Tab was Apple’s main competitor capturing more than 17 percent of market share. Not bad.

 Source: Column Five Media

If you’re in the market for a tablet device, what are your alternatives anyway? Here are the top 10 best tablet PCs (after the iPad):

1. Samsung Galaxy Tab GT-P1000
2. Viewsonic ViewPad 7
3. Advent Vega
4. ExoPC Slate
5. BlackBerry Playbook
6. Motorola Xoom
7. HTC Flyer
8. LG Optimus Pad
9. HP TouchPad
10. Notion Ink Adam Tablet