Tablet PCs are expected to surpass notebook sales in the third quarter as new models are about to hit the market, according to industry sources. Sources said the tablets have price advantages over notebooks, especially white-box ones, making them popular choices for consumers.

It is estimated that as many as 20-30 million low-end tablets will be sold in the third quarter alone, which will influence ultrabook sales, said the sources.

Taiwan-based panel makers also said recently that they are seeing increased orders for panels used in smartphones and tablets. The makers expect Windows 8 to bring in a new wave of notebook panel orders, but they will not surpass tablet ones, added the sources.

Notebook sales will also be influenced by smartphones, particularly the next generation iPhone that is rumored to be released in September, causing notebook makers to begin re-thinking their market strategies, said the sources.