Tablets, Chromebooks, go out of fashion – Gadget (2024)
Worldwide tablet shipments went flat in thelast quarter of last year, growing by just 0.3% year over year in the fourth quarter of 2022, while Chromebook sales dropped dramatically.
Tablet sales totaled 45.7-million units, according to preliminary data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker. For the full year, the tablet market saw a decline of 3.3% year over year, ending two years of solid growth. However, shipments remained well above pre-pandemic levels.
Meanwhile, Chromebook shipments continued to contract in 4Q22 with shipments totaling 3.6-million units for a year-over-year decline of 24.3%. Shipments for the full year were down 48% in 2022 after an astounding 180.5% growth in 2021.
Apple and Apple continued to be the main drivers for the tablet market.
Apple remains the indisputable leader in this space and gained ten percentage points in market share compared to 4Q21. The vendor launched several new products in the quarter – the 11″ and 12.9″ iPad Pros and a 10.9″ iPad – which were well received. The delayed launch of these products and the low base for comparison due to constraints in their supply chain drove the gains for Apple in 4Q22.
Samsung benefitted from continued efforts in effective resource management, especially to fulfill several projects in Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan and China) and Western Europe. The vendor has also been focusing on its premium tablet lineup to help build shipment volume. For Amazon, even though the fourth quarter is generally its best shipment quarter, two Prime Day sales in the year and the overall softness in the demand led to reduced shipments in the quarter. Lenovo and Huawei finished the quarter in a statistical tie* for the fourth position.
Lenovo’s shipments have been in decline due to several commercial projects coming to an end. Huawei’s increased focus on marketing large screen tablets in their main geographic market, China (PRC), is paying off and they’ve managed to remain in the top 5 despite many hurdles.
Tablets, which were once used mainly for entertainment, have gained momentum in a range commercial applications. Faced with a looming economic downturn and market saturation, vendors will need to focus on the commercial segment to drive sales in the coming years.
“We are currently amidst changing market dynamics,” said Anuroopa Nataraj, senior research analyst with IDC’s Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers. “While affordability and simplicity of use will continue to be some of the key drivers for the market to sustain, consumers have also begun to evaluate the importance of higher-spec devices when making purchase decisions. As a result, vendors will need to focus on evolving their tablet portfolio.
“In addition, 2022 saw some new players like Xiaomi and OPPO enter the market offering consumers a complete solution that is connected across devices, enriching the user experience. In this changing environment, it will be necessary for vendors to rethink their product portfolios to cater to consumers, education, and corporate in an effort to drive demand.”
*IDC declares a statistical tie in the Personal Computing Device market when there is a difference of one tenth of one percent (0.1%) or less in the shipment shares among two or more vendors.
“While Chromebooks have faced a tough few quarters, the excess channel inventory that had built up is starting to subside and could potentially lead to more normalized growth in the coming quarters as back-to-school season returns,” saidJitesh Ubrani, research manager with IDC’sMobility and Consumer Device Trackers. “However, any traction that Chromebooks made outside the education sector will continue to suffer as the economy stalls and as tablets and PCs supplant Chrome-based devices.”
Both Chromebooks and tablets are great for streaming things, but you might want to opt for the Chromebook if you plan on doing basic computer admin tasks. Alternatively, a tablet might be the right choice if you simply want a bigger mobile phone experience than you already have.
If you have a Chromebook that was released from 2021 onwards, you will receive 10 years of updates. For older devices, you might see this message: "This device will no longer receive software updates. You can continue using your computer but should consider upgrading."
Some Chromebooks can be used either as a laptop or a tablet. If you have one of these models, the on-screen keyboard automatically opens when you flip the screen over the hinge. Tip: If you connect a mouse to your Chromebook, you will switch back to laptop mode.
You just won't get any more Chrome OS updates, which include new security features and optimizations for your Chromebook's hardware. You'll most likely be able to continue using your Chromebook after the AUE date for months or years before you start noticing issues.
Hardware Limitations: Chromebooks are generally designed to be lightweight and portable, which means they often come with less powerful hardware specifications compared to traditional laptops. This can impact their ability to handle resource-intensive tasks such as video editing, gaming, or running complex software.
With their intuitive interface and vast app ecosystem, iPads empower students to explore, create, and collaborate in exciting new ways. On the other hand, Chromebooks shine in environments where affordability, durability, and seamless integration are paramount.
Having too many applications open simultaneously can consume system resources and deplete your Chromebook's battery faster than usual. You can close applications that are no longer in use or no longer needed to help extend the battery life.
Chromebook's low screen resolution and hardware limitations may make it so that it can't handle high resolutions and high-definition media files as smoothly. Printing can be an issue on Chromebooks. While many newer printers are compatible with ChromeOS, older printers may not support wireless printing on a Chromebook.
> It is laughable that non Chrome OS devices can update Chrome indefinitely, but Chrome OS "auto expires" turning your Chromebook into landfill. All Chromebook platforms will get regular automatic updates for 10 years — more than any other operating system commits to today.
Even if you use the in-built tools, photo and video editing are simple with Windows and Macs. With Chromebooks, this is not the case, as the majority of them have low-end technology, making video rendering and editing virtually impossible. Additionally, Chromebooks do not support the simple use of Adobe Photoshop.
They're meant to be held almost like reading a book, though you interact with them through a touchscreen. Of course, there is some overlap as you'll find Chromebooks with detachable keyboards that can be used just like a tablet or 2-in-1 models that can fold in half to be used just like a tablet.
These include security updates, bug fixes and new features. And without those updates, things like apps and browser extensions might no longer function properly. So while you can still use a Chromebook past its AUE date, its usefulness will deteriorate.
Best answer: When your Chromebook stops getting updates, you can still use it. However, you'll miss out on updates that can add new features and, most importantly, might be able to protect your device from malicious software.
How long will a Chromebook last? Between two and four years depending on build quality and usage. A well built Chromebook that is taken care of should last 4+ years.
Chromebooks are designed with day-to-day tasks in mind. So, if you use your laptop for just browsing the web and watching Netflix, then you should consider picking one up.
However, Chromebooks are specifically designed with web-based tasks in mind, as their operating system, Chrome OS, is optimized for online use. Chromebooks boot up quickly and have seamless integration with Google services, making them efficient for web browsing, email, document editing, and other online activities.
Ultimately, the choice between a tablet and a laptop depends on your intended usage. If you need a device for note-taking, casual gaming or other casual needs, a tablet might be suitable. However, if you require more software compatibility and extensive productivity, a laptop would likely be a better choice.
Introduction: My name is Rev. Leonie Wyman, I am a colorful, tasty, splendid, fair, witty, gorgeous, splendid person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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