ASUS sets modest targets for 2012 tablets

ASUS chairman Jonney Shih set broad but modest targets for his company's tablets in statements this week. He expected three million to six million tablets shipping through all of the year, CENS said. The company has repeatedly estimated that it would deliver 1.8 million Eee Pads in 2011.

He also gave unusual credit to Apple, saying, the line took its "inspiration from iPad." The company still took the view that tablets were for consumption while notebooks were for creation, more closely following Microsoft's view, but would hedge its bets with Windows 8. He may have given a clue as to a rumored ultrabook and tablet hybrid by claiming there would be Eee Pad Transformer models with "both data creation and data consumption" next year.

In spite of denials of Wi-Fi issues, ASUS had set up a device swap service for those reporting problems, Shih said.

Its shipment goal is relatively modest and shows that ASUS isn't certain that it will significantly improve its pace. ASUS' 1.8 million came after it started shipping in April, and mostly towards the later part of the year after it overcame shortages in the spring. Its yearly target won't make it a major threat to Apple or Amazon, both of whom could meet or exceed ASUS' entire yearly goal in one quarter.

By Electronista Staff

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