iSuppli sees much higher iPad demand

Signs have surfaced that Apple is due to ship many more iPads this year than once thought, iSuppli said. Suppliers in Asia are being asked to ship many more LCDs and flash memory chips than expected and could lead to 12.9 million iPads shipped just in 2010, an 82 percent hike over the 7.1 percent expected before. Researches expected Apple could reach its target even if it doesn't expand beyond the 19 countries selling iPads.

The tablet's demand is now also poised to grow much faster, researchers said. Three times as many iPads, 36.5 million, should ship in 2011; that number could top 50.4 million in 2012. Production is now considered the only major factor as it dictates how quickly Apple can reach the market.

iSuppli also gave a first insight as to the iPad's market share. At 84 percent, Apple "virtually owns the market" and has forced many competitors to rework their designs. It's believed that the Dell Streak and other devices aren't likely to be competitive this year, and that future tablets from HP and others won't have any significant effect until 2011, but Apple should have a majority share through "at least" 2012.

How well Apple fares may depend on upgrades, which may include a camera and different-sized models, but the remainder of the tablet arena is "feverishly playing catch-up to the iPad at this point," iSuppli said.

By Electronista Staff