A report by DigiTimes claims global demand for tablets could soon surpass that of notebook PCs, with insider info suggesting 130 million units will be sold in 2013.

Sourcing "Taiwan-based supply chain makers", DigiTimes claims the tablet market will enjoy surging growth in 2013 thanks to the appearance of tablets which match PC functionality.

The two-year forecast

Windows 8-equipped tablets in particular will fit that bill nicely, and DigiTimes' source believes tablets "featuring traditional PC functions" will help tablet shipments "to trail closely behind global notebook shipments."

In 2011, Apple alone sold more than 32 million iPads, while total worldwide tablet sales were in the region of 60 million units.

Analysts are already predicting Apple could double its annual shipments in 2012 owing to the unveiling of new iPad hardware, due to launch on 16 March.

On this basis, DigiTimes forecasts global tablet shipments for 2012 to reach 90-95 million units, rising to 130 million units in 2013.

[source: DigiTimes]