Despite mobile wave, laptops still on top

Tablet computer ownership is increasing at a rapid pace among British households, but a study from Carat, a subsidiary of the Aegis Group, shows the laptop PC is still the dominant computer in the home.

According to the study, which surveyed 11,000 British adults, tablet ownership increased 469 percent between 2011 and 2012, as 12 percent of households now own the mobile device. This is a far cry from the laptop, however, as nearly 50 percent of respondents say they use laptops almost every day.

Desktop PCs are still among the most popular computing devices, despite only modest sales growth during the past few years. According to the study, 31 percent of households use desktop computers to access the web, while 24 percent use mobile phones.

Tablet computers are more popular among younger demographics, which is boosting the devices' user numbers. The research firm notes that 10 percent of consumers between the ages of 25 and 34 use tablets.

A separate report from IHS iSuppli predicts tablets will continue their rapid growth, with sales projected to increase 85 percent in 2012. Despite this growth, it is clear the tablet has a ways to go before it catches up with its established predecessors.