Tablet market finishes strong 2011 with 155 percent growth, IDC says

Tablet computer sales skyrocketed in the fourth quarter of 2011, increasing 155 percent compared to the fourth quarter of the previous year, according to a report from research firm IDC.

Fourth quarter tablet sales totaled 28.2 million units worldwide, IDC estimates, with Apple's iPad® leading the way in terms of market share. Google's Android™ made some gains in the fourth quarter, though, growing its tablet market share to 44.6 percent, up from 32.3 percent in the previous quarter.

As a result of this strong showing, IDC has boosted its tablet sales forecast for 2012 to 106.1 million units, a sizable increase from the 87.7 million units it had previously estimated.

IDC projects nearly 200 million tablets will ship in 2016. By that time, Android's tablet shipment market share will exceed 50 percent, giving Google a slight edge over Apple®. The iPad will remain the market leader in terms of revenue.

The battle to offer cheaper tablets is a significant contributing factor to Android's growth in the market. Recent months have seen the emergence of the sub-$500 tablet, which has increased competition across the market.