Worldwide tablet sales surpassed 16 million units in 2010 and accounted for 5.1% of total PC sales, according to research by Computer Industry Almanac Inc.. In the USA tablet sales accounted for 12% of total PC sales in 2010. The sales growth of pads and tablets will continue and will account for an increasing share of total PCs. 

By 2015 the worldwide sales of tablets are projected to reach nearly 36% of total PC sales or 186 million units, which higher than the total worldwide PC sales in 2004. USA tablet sales are forecasted to top 53 million units in 2015 or over 43% of total PC sales. 

World tablet sales, 2010-2015:
-  2010: 16 million units (5.1% of total PC sales) 
- 2012: 86.6 million units (20.9%) 
- 2015: 185.7 million (35.9%)

US tablet sales, 2010-2015;
- 2010: 10.1 million units (12.0% of total US PC sales)
- 2012: 30.6 million units (29.6%)
- 2015: 53.3 million (43.5%)

Much of the growth is coming from the iPad and similar pad and tablet devices, which are included in the total PC figures in this report. Windows 8 which is expected in mid to late 2012 will also be used for tablets and is expect to compete and expand the current tablet market, which are primarily iPads and Android based.