Dell announced today that it would be discontinuing its Android tablets. Instead, it will be focusing its efforts on 2-in-1 devices running Windows.
We believe 2-in-1s are starting to become the preferred device for those in the workplace who occasionally want to operate the device in tablet mode, which is why we’re continuing to invest in the space, while beginning to divest from the slate tablet market.
The company says that there are two reasons for investing in 2-in-1s. One is that the firm believes in the value of such a device, and the other is - you guessed it - Dell sees the growth in the hybrid PC market.
Dell notes that standard "slate" tablets saw a 21.1% decline in the last quarter, according to IDC; meanwhile the 2-in-1 space is the only growing segment of the market right now, and it"s growing rapidly.
The decline in the tablet market is why the company decided to discontinue its Venue line of Android devices, issuing the following statement to PCWorld:
For customers who own Android-based Venue products, Dell will continue to support currently active warranty and service contracts until they expire, but we will not be pushing out future OS upgrades.
Dell says that its customers are gravitating toward the 2-in-1 market for the following reasons:
Productivity: 2-in-1s should focus on being a laptop first, then a tablet, which is the only way they fit in a commercial environment. Dell’s newest Latitude lineup boasts business-class features like Intel’s latest processors, large and rich screens for viewing content, full-size ports and keyboards and more, all to help you work on the go.
Flexibility: while the standard issued work device is typically a laptop or desktop, it can be nice to have a tablet for some business functions – but is it worth carrying two systems? Our fully flexible lineup of Dell 2-in-1s are designed to go wherever work takes you. Regarding the new Latitude 12 7000 Series 2-in-1, Digital Trendsconcluded, “Slim, light, and versatile, the Dell Latitude 12 is an excellent system for the on-the-go user who does a little bit of everything.”
Value: on-the-go professionals and corridor warriors will love the way 2-in-1s enhance their workflows, but IT decision makers can truly appreciate the value in a system that can be both a laptop and tablet. Gone are the days of purchasing multiple devices for workers, or compromising by choosing only one.
Security, Manageability & Support: Our commitment to customers is to deliver the most secure, most manageable and most reliable solutions in the industry. The Dell Data Protection | Endpoint Security Suite Enterprise is now available and encompasses encryption, authentication and now greater advanced threat protection. And with ProSupport Plus for PCs and tablets, Dell is the only OEM to provide automated proactive and predictive support capabilities across PCs, tablets, servers, storage and networking.
Indeed, the value is implied by the term 2-in-1. Flexibility and productivity are key selling points as well.
This is not the first time we"ve heard a company communicate such a message. It"s happening across the board, as the 2-in-1 market continues to project the most growth. Just last week, Huawei introduced its MateBook 2-in-1 with the same message - that 2-in-1s show 73% year-over-year growth and that there will be 63.8 million hybrid devices by 2020.
We recently reviewed one of Dell"s hybrid devices, the XPS 12, and thought it was average. You can check out the review right here.