Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s iPads were the top-selling tablets in 2013 between January and November, according to the industry research firm NPD Group. iPad sales were far ahead of Windows and Android-powered tablets in the U.S. A total of 14.4 million personal computing devices were sold in the U.S. this year through November, an increase of 25.4% from the same period in 2012. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s tablets accounted for 59% of the total tablet volume sold between January and November 2013.
Apple’s desktop & notebook sales to business channel down 10%
Of all the personal computing devices sold through November this year, iPads accounted for 15.8%. The iPad had a share of 17.1% in the same period last year. Nonetheless, that’s still much higher than 8.7% for Android and 2.2% for Windows tablets. However, Android and Windows-powered tablets more than doubled their share of total personal computing devices sold last year. Android-based tablets had accounted for only 4.2% in 2012, while Windows tablets had a meager 0.8%. share
According to NPD Group, tablet sales soared 49%, notebook sales were up 28.9%, while desktop sales through business channel rose 8.5% compared to the previous year. Sales of Windows desktops inched up 10%, but Windows-powered notebooks witnessed no growth over 2012. In contrast, the combined sales of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s desktops and notebooks plunged 10%.
What surprised many is the emergence of Chromebooks. While Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s notebooks accounted for only 1.8% in 2013, Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s Chromebooks made up 9.6%, beating MacBooks by a wide margin. Last year, Chromebook sales were just 0.2% of all personal computing devices. In fact, Chromebooks accounted for a whopping 21% of all notebook sales between January-November 2013.
Apple third most popular
Hewlett Packard Company (NYSE:HPQ) remained the top selling brand in commercial PC devices. Although its total sales to the commercial channel grew 4.9%, its market share declined from 36.4% to 30.4% due to its minimal exposure to the booming tablets market. On the other hand, Lenovo Group Ltd. (OTCMKTS:LNVGY) (HKG:0992) witnessed a 24% growth, but its market share remained almost unchanged. Thanks to its strong presence in the tablet market, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) remained the third largest brand with a 16.1% share.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) refreshed its MacBooks and iPads. The company unveiled thinner, lighter and faster MacBook Pro. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) launched the iPad Air with an improved processor and thinner body, and an iPad mini with retina display.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) shares were down 0.19% to $559 in pre-market trading Monday.
