Comments on: IDC tablet takeaway: Androids to outsell iPads this year as tablet sizes, prices shrink

By: Talha Iqbal

Talha Iqbal — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 16:38:29 +0000

Apple may not care about the overall market share immediately, but it will def become an issue at some point. Particularly with international expansion, the common stats show that Android pulls way ahead. And in the medium term, revenue is definitely correlated with reach & market penetration.

If you want to get more background about the tablet market you may find the Uniqloud tablet market overview insightful.

By: Talha Iqbal

Talha Iqbal — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 20:37:20 +0000

Well if you can get everything for less then why go for something expensive. Android’s OS platform is quite competitive, more affordable mini tablets should expand the tablet market penetration towards customer segments that are less wealthy or more mobile than the average couch ipad user.

If you want to get more background about the tablet market you may find the Uniqloud tablet market overview insightful.

By: Louis A. Carliner

Louis A. Carliner — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 01:32:11 +0000

Apple’s pricing policy still continues to be rotten to the core! Back in 1983 when the first Macintosh was introduced, at a price of $2500, which was a successor to the ill-fated Lisa at some $10,000, had Apple been willing to some aggressive price cutting, right before Microsoft finally came out with its first viable GUI operating system (Window 3.0), it would have been able decimate Microsoft before its Windows offering could build up a domineering critical mass!

Early and aggressive price cutting by Apple just at the first inking of the possibility of the emergence of any competitive product would have been enough to discourage the Korean and Taiwanese companies to enter the marketplace!

By: Aar Zand

Aar Zand — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 18:26:08 +0000

Google’s communist act is failing miserably. Samsung is taking almost all profits leaving Google and other Android manufacturer’s almost nothing.

Moreover, Windows 8 tablet market share will surpass Android tablets very soon according to the IDC’s estimate. The IDC’s market share estimate is based on number of units. Windows 8 tablets are more expensive now, so it will sell fewer for now. But low cost models will come out soon. On the other hand, Android is going after the lower and lower end market at cheaper and cheaper prices.

In terms of market share based on revenue, Microsoft’s Surface is selling at $999, or $1140 plus the touch cover, that’s about 5 times of 7″ Android tablets. Revenue-wise, Microsoft only needs 1/5 of Android’s market share to beat all Android manufacturers combined. Moreover, Surface has a gross margin of 45%, vs. cheap Android devices at less than 20% of gross margin, in terms of gross profit, Microsoft makes 11 times more profit selling one Surface Pro than Android vendors selling one Android tablet!

And price-wise, Dell, Asus, HP and Lenovo are offering lower end Win 8 tablets at about $399 to $499, which is very competitive to iPad and 10″ Android tablets. Lastly, don’t forget that Microsoft receives $5-$10 of royalty for each Androud device sold.

By: Shawn Behnam

Shawn Behnam — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 20:42:34 +0000

I agree, with @scottph, why is so little emphasis placed on the lack of unit sales data and especially usage of apple’s competitors? Something is not adding up. Take a look at Asymco’s recent article regarding this subject.

By: scottph

scottph — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 14:55:58 +0000

Considering IDC’s track record maybe we should…

By: Kevin C. Tofel

Kevin C. Tofel — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 14:54:10 +0000

The data here is a forecast; we’re not talking about 2012 sales vs. shipments.

By: scottph

scottph — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 14:51:45 +0000

It does, but the story itself needs to mention this, no?

By: Kevin C. Tofel

Kevin C. Tofel — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 14:50:48 +0000

Yes it does. And my point still stands. ;)

By: scottph

scottph — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 14:47:15 +0000

Apple does…