Along with the iPad introduction, market drivers for tablet shipments include an increase in the availability of new media, like magazines, newspaper and books, as well as in the number of applications available for mobile computing, such as web browsing, email, social networks, and video consumption.

According to the research firm, 13.2 percent of In-Stat’s Technology Adoption Panel survey respondents currently own a tablet; e-mail and web browsing were the top two tablet uses by current owners at 68 percent and 66 percent respectively; of the survey respondents who own a tablet, nearly 55 percent spend nine hours or more each week using their tablet.

Jim McGregor, chief technology strategist, said: “Although the consumer market is the primary target for tablets right now, the commercial market also represents a potential revenue opportunity for tablet OEMs.

“Usage models and user requirements will differ in the commercial market, but as the overall tablet market becomes more defined over the next year, the opportunities for tablets within business markets will become more apparent.”

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