Posted February 2, 2013 by Eric Shirey in Technology

Apple(AAPL) leads Tablet PCs; Samsung Doubles its Market Share

Northern, WI 02/02/2013 (avauncer) - Samsung Electronics Co. (KRX:005930) has seen its market share of tablet PCs more than double in the 4^th quarter, catching up with the leader Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) as total units shipped jumped 75%. Sales of tablet went up to 52.5 million units during the period. Samsung’s (KRX:005930) market share went up to 15% from 7.3% in the previous year. On the other hand, Apple’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) share declined to 44% from 52%.

New products, cheaper prices and hike in holiday spending all led to increased demand for tablet PCs. Apple’s (NASDAQ:APPL) iPad is faced with stiff competition from Samsung’s tablets that use Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s Android software as well as Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s Windows 8. But yet it managed to hold on to the top rank as sales increased due to launch of iPad mini and 4^th generation device.

According to Tom Mainelli, IDC’s research director for tablets the release of new products from both “top vendors” in the niche, as well as new entrants like Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), captured consumer interest and boosted shipment totals vigorously during the holiday season. He also pointed out that this quarter’s performance is in sharp contrast to the computer market, where the shipments fell drastically.

The shares of Samsung (KRX:005930) declined 0.4% to close at 1,443,000 won thus increasing its fall this year to 5.2%.

The shares of Apple’s (NASDAQ:APPL) declined 0.41% to close at $453.62.

The shares of Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) were up by 2.63% to close at $775.6.

The shares of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) were up by 1.75% to close at $27.93.

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Eric Shirey

Eric Shireya is a former newspaper section editor and reporter who has been reporting on Fashion and Lifestyle for about 10 years. His work has been published in national business trade magazines, and can be found on wire services, in daily newspapers, in university alumni magazines, on the web, in newsletters, and more. His career highlights have included interviewing Bob Hope, laughing through a phone conversation with Richard Simmons, chatting with Melissa Etheridge, and enduring a press conference in a hot air balloon.