IHS Sees Nearly Half-billion Tablet Shipments By 2017

(RTTNews) - IHS Inc. (IHS) issued updated forecasts and insights on developments anticipated at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show or CES. This news flash includes the markets for tablets, ultra-high-definition or UHD televisions, wearable electronic devices, automotive operating systems and self-driving cars.

IHS said it expects around half-billion tablet shipments by 2017. The company's latest forecast for tablets—including both media tablets and PC-type tablets—predicts global shipments will soar to 488 million in 2017, up from 141 million in 2012. Shipments for the year will climb 72 percent totaling 243 million units, IHS added.

"Shipments of tablets in 2013 and the coming years primarily are being boosted by the massive influx of low-cost white box devices from Asia," noted Rhoda Alexander, director of tablet research at IHS. "Market volumes in 2014 and beyond also will be driven by rising shipments of PC-type tablets, which will be prominently displayed at CES this year. This will be a make-or-break year for Windows-based PC tablets. Because of that, PC manufacturers will be putting their best foot forward at CES, showing off their most compelling products for the year," he continued.

IHS forecasts nearly half-billion tablet shipments by 2017. It's latest forecast for tablets—including both media tablets and PC-type tablets—predicts global shipments will soar to 488 million in 2017, up from 141 million in 2012. Shipments this year will surge by 72 percent to reach 243 million units, as presented in Figure 1 attached.

"Shipments of tablets in 2013 and the coming years primarily are being boosted by the massive influx of low-cost white box devices from Asia," noted Rhoda Alexander, director of tablet research at IHS. "Market volumes in 2014 and beyond also will be driven by rising shipments of PC-type tablets, which will be prominently displayed at CES this year. This will be a make-or-break year for Windows-based PC tablets. Because of that, PC manufacturers will be putting their best foot forward at CES, showing off their most compelling products for the year."

Considering swift reductions in pricing, IHS has raised its forecast for UHD liquid-crystal display television sets. IHS now sees 38.5 million UHD LCD TV sets will ship in 2018, up from 1.5 million in 2013, according to the TV Systems Intelligence Service at IHS. Shipments will fly up over 500 percent to reach 10 million in 2014.