Ultrabooks expected to gain momentum later in the year

The Apple train keeps ‘a rolling with no sign of slowing down. The latest reports from analysts Canalys show that Apple shipped 20 million personal computing devices in Q4, claiming 17 percent of the total market. This is split between 5 million Macs and 15 million iPads.

Hewlett Packard are now resigned to second place, with a market share of only 12.7 percent. The other three in the top five companies were Lenovo with 11.2 percent, Dell with 9.9 percent and Acer with 9.3 percent.

The research from Canalys highlights just how popular the tablet market is, with the Kindle Fire and Barnes & Noble's Nook taking a decent percentage of the market. Without tablets involved in the figures, the market dropped 0.4%.

Canalys analyst Tim Coulling said “You have to look at the market holistically and consider that people are using tablets in much the same way as one might use a PC–for e-mailing, Web browsing, and other tasks.”

He added “Currently, HP is pursuing a Windows strategy for its pad portfolio, producing enterprise-focused products such as the recently launched Slate 2, until the launch of Windows 8.

However, questions remain over Microsoft's entry into the consumer pad space. While early demonstrations of the Windows 8 operating system seem promising, Microsoft must focus its efforts on creating an intuitive user experience that is far less resource intensive.”

What about Intel's Ultrabook? The company are putting a lot of weight behind the new range of computers.

Coulling said “We expect Ultrabook volumes to see limited adoption through the first half of 2012, before finally gaining momentum later in the year as price points decline and Intel launches a new line of processors and embarks on an aggressive marketing campaign.”

Kitguru says: By then the iPad 3 should be in full flight, so people may just opt for the new super high resolution tablet computer instead.

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