Canalys, a research firm, has released their computer sales estimates for Q4 2010, which shows that Apple is now third in market share when the iPad is calculated as part of Apple’s computer shipments. Apple now holds 10.8% market share.
Here’s the chart:
The report justifies the inclusion of tablet-like devices as computer’s because the definition of a PC has evolved over the years, and continues to do so.
Here’s an excerpt:
‘Any argument that a pad is not a PC is simply out of sync,’ said Chiam. ‘With screen sizes of seven inches or above, ample processing power, and a growing number of applications, pads offer a computing experience comparable to netbooks. They compete for the same customers and will happily coexist. As with smart phones, some users will require a physical keyboard, while others will do without.’
‘Each new product category typically causes a significant shift in market shares,’ said Chiam. ‘Apple is benefiting from pads, just as Acer, Samsung and Asus previously did with netbooks. The PC industry has always evolved this way, starting when Toshiba and Compaq rode high on the original notebook wave.’
I’ll entertain the idea that the iPad is indeed not an computer, but then that begs the question, “What is a computer.” Does it have to do email? Web browsing? Games? Productivity stuff? Yes? No? Maybe? If so, where do you draw the line? The iPod touch does all of these things (maybe with the exception of productivity apps), so does it count as a computer? No, because it fits in your hands? Regardless, to my mind the iPad counts as a computer. If I didn’t have Photoshop work to do, I’d use it as my main machine. I think that’s the test of a computer- how well does it get done what you need it to get done.
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