IHS ups 2011 iPad shipping estimate to 44.2 million
updated 12:15 pm EDT, Wed August 24, 2011
Could give Apple 74 percent of tablet market
IHS iSuppli says it has raised its iPad shipping estimate for 2011, which now sits at 44.2 million units. The research firm had previously forecast 43.7 million units, based on Apple's initial problems with production as well as supply issues, which included Japanese suppliers being forced to temporarily shut down in the aftermath of a 9.0 earthquake. "With those supply issues resolved, Apple's production now is firmly on track to meet the expected strong second-half 2011 demand," according to IHS.
The firm sees Apple taking 74 percent of the media tablet market in 2011, which has also been given an improved outlook of 60 million units versus an earlier 58.9 million. Apple's grip is expected to slip to 43.6 percent of 275.3 million tablets by 2015, but that figure still beats earlier IHS numbers, giving Apple 120.1 million iPads instead of 97.9 million; the second figure was linked with 32 percent control of a 262.1 million-unit market. IHS remarks that it now anticipates Apple keeping the majority of tablet shipments through 2013, a year longer than it had once surmised.
"The competition can't seem to field a product with the right combination of hardware, marketing, applications and content to match up with the iPad," writes Rhoda Alexander, IHS' senior manager for tablet and monitor research. "Furthermore, Apple's patent litigation is serving to slow or complicate competitors’ entry into some key regional markets. With Apple lapping its competitors, many of whom are still struggling to get out of the starting gate, this remains a one-horse race."
