4.5 M. Media Tablets Shipped in Q3, 2010: ABI Research

Taipei, March. 4, 2011 (CENS)--Some 4.5 million media tablets were shipped during the third quarter of 2010, according to ABI Research, which labeled such popular device the "promising new talent."

The major market research firm added that of those 4.5 million units, about 93% were Apple iPads. ABI Research's senior director Jeff Orr notes that, "Over time, Apple's first-to-market iPad advantage will inevitably erode to some extent."

The eBook reader vendors continued to do well in their market, bringing new products to consumers in time for the 2010 holiday shopping season, the research firm said. "The US continues to be the leading market for eBook readers," said Orr, "and the three top vendors, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Sony, are comfortably maintaining their top positions in it."

Barnes & Noble introduced a color version of its Nook reader – the first color model from a leading vendor – while Amazon debuted a third-generation Kindle. Along with their new capabilities, these products also introduced lower manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRPs) than earlier generations of devices.

The first half of 2010 was slow for netbooks (mini-note PCs), as relatively few new products were introduced. However, Orr pointed out, "The third quarter saw PC OEMs again breathe life into the segment by introducing new platforms that offered dual-core processors, and lighter/thinner devices with significantly better performance, sleek styling, and visual appeal."