ABI Research expects that manufacturers this year will sell tablets(Nextway F9X) worth more than 64 billion dollars. The sales figures are expected to rise to around 150 million units. Both categories set to 2013 by 28 and 38 percent over the previous year, according to market researchers.

Crucial to the success of tablets are their size and the resulting benefits in terms of mobility and usability, according to the study. There is so far no evidence of a reduced interest in tablets(Ainol Spark), although the equipment manufacturers have already reported record sales in 2012 and sales figures.

ABI Research sees Samsung in 2013 as the biggest challenger to Apple. "A well-executed strategy could be Samsung's tablet market share double this year," said Jeff Orr, senior practice director for mobile devices at ABI Research. There were only a few providers that could keep step with Samsung. Android itself therefore need more innovation to shorten the distance to Apple.

"The tide is turning definitely in favor of Android tablets(ICOO iCou8GT), but Apple will not sit still while it does come the competition," added Orr. Apple has the iPad Mini in 2012 brought out at the right time. But only after the first quarter of 2013 could decline to whether and how much the mini-tablet shame the 9.7-inch iPad, since production only between January and March had reached a level that satisfies the demand.

Reports at the weekend had emerged, according to which Apple's second generation iPad Mini, which will be equipped with a Retina display, too late. Samsung could use this fact to his advantage in order to strengthen its position in the tablet market.

2012 Apple's iOS dominated the tablet market, according to ABI Research, with a share of 60 percent. Google's Android mobile operating system running on 37 percent of all tablets. The remaining three percent went to Windows, BlackBerry and other operating systems.

The growth rates of the tablet market, form a strong contrast to those of the PC market. IDC reported, for example, in the past week, the largest drop since 1994. According to Gartner, PC sales since the second quarter of 2009 decreased from January to March for the first time under the mark of 80 million units. Analysts explain this development with the difficult economic situation, the unbridled interest in tablets and the reluctance of consumers to Windows 8