Why Small Tablets Will Dominate the Tablet Market
Most tablets in use today are iPad sized. That’s because most tablets in use are iPads.
This reality has led pundits to believe that iPad size is the right size for a touch tablet. But I’ve come to believe that in just two years, iPad-sized tablets will represent a small minority of the market.
It’s hard to believe now, but experts used to argue about whether there was room in the space between a phone and a laptop for any kind of consumer electronics device.
Now it has become clear that there are major markets for two sizes: An iPad size in the 10-inch diagonal range, and a smaller size in the 7-inch diagonal range.
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Not only should these two form factors be considered distinct, but in many ways they should be considered opposites. The big one is portable (home, office, coffee shop) and the other is mobile (absolutely everywhere).
Why little tablets will rule the consumer market
The key attribute of small tablets that will drive them into mainstream use is low cost. But the implications of why that will prove to be the case are under-appreciated as a driver of massive adoption.
How low will they go? I think that over the next two years, the “sweet spot” range for 7-inch tablets is between $100 and $200.