2-in-1 tablets to become more popular than slate tablets

In the next five years, 2-in-1 tablets are expected to grow at a CAGR of 57%, while slate tablets are only expected to grow at a CAGR of 2%. The overall tablet market is set to decline by 4% in 2015, with modest growth returning in 2016 due to more innovative designs in both 2-in-1 and slate tablets. According to Strategy Analytics, Windows tablet market share will reach 10% in 2015.

Peter King, Service Director, Tablet & Touchscreen Strategies, said: “The timing could not be better for 2-in-1 tablets as Windows 10 makes the multi-mode computing experience smoother, Intel’s Skylake processors hit the market at the end of 2015, and Windows tablets have become more cost-competitive with Android Tablets. Windows provides a familiar environment for traditional PC vendors to compete in the tablet market and also gives CIOs a higher level of comfort when considering higher-end tablets in the commercial setting.”

Eric Smith, Senior Analyst, Tablet & Touchscreen Strategies, added: “Vendors have refined 2-in-1 tablet products in the last year to be affordable and functional and there is plenty of headroom for the segment to grow in the next five years as white box vendors seek to differentiate their low-cost products. The growth rate among 2-in-1 tablets will far outpace those of traditional slate tablets, though from a smaller base, as they compete for the spot of the secondary computing device in the home.”