Apple Now Number One Mobile PC Maker

[Michael Knutson]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/apple_passes_hp_with_ipad_sales_to_become_1_mobile.php' target='_blank'>http://www.readwriteweb.com/archive...me_1_mobile.php</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"2010 was a breakout year for Apple's iPad. When it first came out, we dared to question it, but one year later the device is undoubtedly a success. Today, statistics from DisplaySearch show that the iPad was not only a success, but also propelled Apple to the top of the list of mobile PC makers."</em></p><p><span><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com//at/auto/1297963777.usr17748.png" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></span></p><p><span>10.2 million units shipped by Apple in Q4 2010. These numbers include laptops and iPads, but not mobile phones. Competition is arriving on the scene, but Apple has a pretty impressive lead. This percentage is, of course, certainly bolstered by iPad sales, but according to the story, notebook </span>shipments "widely exceed the industry average growth rate" as well. I'm looking forward to what Apple has in store over the next few months to try to keep the competition in check.</p>

[Jason Dunn]

I think this is bunk. The iPad runs the same damn OS as my iPod Touch, and it's not counted as a "mobile PC" and neither is the iPhone! So how can the iPad be considered a "mobile PC"? The operating system is a better indication of whether something is a "mobile PC" more than the form factor is.

I think they need to have a separate category for slates/tablets/PDAs so this breakdown makes more sense. Apple is killing it with the iPad, yes, but it's not running OS X so it shouldn't be counted in with their laptops.

[Sven Johannsen]

I agree with you Jason, but it is getting harder and harder to catagorize. Not sure if the 'mobile' designation of the OS has much significance anymore. I would suggest that the iPad really has as much capability, with the right apps installed, as most marginally powered netbooks. Yea you can install some more demanding PC apps on the netbook, but can you actually run them. I could run Office-like apps on my Windows Mobile Phones and Windows Phone. What holds them back from PC status, IMHO, is the lack of UI (keyboard/mouse) and screen size. There were Redfly and Folio options that helped in that respect, and BT keyboards and mice are possible. The Atrix seemed to taken that to the logical (or illogical) next step. Is the Atrix, docked, a laptop? Is the iPad just a big touch? I just think there needs to be some new and improved way to catagorize things. Not sure the statistician/marketeers want much definition. Without it they can make the numbers say whatever they want. ;)