Tablets are set to overtake Notebook PCs as the largest mobile computing category (includes tablets, MS Windows laptops, Chromebooks, and Ultraportable PCs), according to new data from market intelligence firm ABI Research. The firm expects that tablets, which are in competition with Notebook PCs, will gain 52% majority of the mobile computing market by the end of 2015. ABI Research forecasts the flat growth of Notebook PCs, due to longer replacement cycles and device market competition, causing Notebook devices to drop from 51% market share in 2013 to 48% in 2015, and further to 47% by year-end 2016.

Although tablets are competing for share of wallet with Notebook PCs, tablets serve a consumer niche that emphasizes portability and connectivity.

"Notebooks offer a combination of portability and productivity that has yet to be achieved by any other portable mobile computing device," says Research Analyst Stephanie Van Vactor. "Although laptops appear to be losing traction they?re not going out of style and flat growth can be representative of several market conditions, including a longer lifecycle." The category of Notebook PCs, which includes laptops, Chromebooks, and Ultrabooks, is still experiencing growth in different regions. ABI Research forecasts Chromebooks and Ultrabooks to experience moderate CAGR of 16% from 2015 to 2020.

Although tablets are still very popular, the adoption rate is beginning to slow, which shows that these devices do not serve the same purpose as Notebook PCs. According to ABI Research?s data, Chromebooks and Ultrabooks are experiencing growth in the market and are forecasted to experience a combined growth of 47% for the year 2015.

"Acer, Apple, ASUS, and Lenovo are all showing strong numbers in Ultrabook and Chromebook configurations accounting for approximately 57.4% of the Ultrabook and Chromebook market for CY2014," continues Van Vactor.