Tablet shipments stop short of expectations

Global tablet shipments in the first quarter of 2011 fell 28 percent from the fourth quarter and failed to hit expectations, according to research firm IDC.

Global tablet shipments fell 28 percent at the start of 2011 compared with the fourth quarter of 2010, according to IDC. Photo credit: ZDNet.com

Tablet shipments hit 7.2 million units worldwide. Although that tally failed to meet expectations, IDC still raised its 2011 shipment forecast to 53.5 million from 50.4 million.

The figures suggest the tablet market may prove to be just as seasonal as the PC industry and other electronics products. IDC also noted that e-reader shipments of 3.3 million were also down from the fourth quarter. Nevertheless, e-readers posted 105-percent growth in the first quarter compared with a year ago. Tablets do not yet have year-on-year comparisons.

For more on this ZDNet UK-selected story, see Tablet shipments below lofty expectations, says IDC on ZDNet.com.