Tablets and PCs will exist in harmony, experts say

Some experts in the technology industry are going against the general consensus, predicting tablets will thrive in harmony with laptop and desktop PCs, rather than replace them.

In a recent Tech New World report, several industry analysts explained how this pattern could develop. Citing Apple's recent sales figures, as the company has seen the most tablet traffic in the market and risks losing some laptop and desktop PC customers as a result, analysts Will Stofega and Laura DiDio told Tech News World many customers may purchase a tablet to complement rather than replace their laptop and desktop PCs.

"There are plenty of people who need a full QWERTY keyboard and the capability to do multitasking that computers, laptops and netbooks offer," Stofega, program director at market research firm IDC, said.

And while the lower price and comparable computing power of tablets may slow down PC sales, DiDio said the impact will be less severe than some have made it out to be.

"They're not going to be relegated to the high-tech graveyard any time soon, but they do have to make way for the new kid on the block," DiDio, principal at the Information Technology Industry Council, said.

That's not to say tablet sales won't continue to thrive as the market matures. According to market research firm In-Stat, tablet shipments will reach 172.4 million by 2014.