Windows 10 to have 'little impact' on tablet sales before late 2016

Carly Page
@CarlyPage_
16 January 2015

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ANALYST HOUSE CCS Insight has said that, while Microsoft's share of the tablet market is expected to grow, Windows 10 will have "little impact" before the end of 2016.

CCS has cast its eye over tablet sales, and said that while the market saw minimal growth in 2014, sales are likely to increase by 28 percent in 2015.

The growth will largely be driven by Android, thanks to affordably priced tablets running Google's software, while Apple is expected to continue to woo those in the market for a high-end device.

Apple will also grow its position in the business tablet market, CCS expects, thanks to its partnership with IBM.

However, CCS stressed that Microsoft should not be overlooked. Sales of Windows-based tablets won't see huge growth this year, but will gain a bigger share of the market.

Marina Koytcheva, CCS director of forecasting, said: "We expect Android to continue dominating the low-end and mid-range market, with Apple taking the lion's share of the high-end.

"But Windows is gaining a bigger slice of the pie, albeit from a very low level, and should not be overlooked."

Koytcheva added that Microsoft's decision to scrap its licence fee for Windows devices under 9in is a major factor.

"It has given Windows fresh impetus, as it has spurred manufacturers to produce a better range of devices at a variety of prices, as low as $99 for HP's Stream 7, for example," she said.

Windows 10 is expected to make its debut on 21 January, but isn't likely to have much of an impact, according to CCS.

"Microsoft still runs the risk of failing to convert the wide availability of cheaper Windows tablets into strong growth in unit sales before 2017," Koytcheva said.

"Windows 10 will take time to make its mark, and developers will need a few months to perfect applications for the new platform. We expect Windows 10 to have little impact on tablet sales before late 2016."