Sales of portables running Microsoft"s Tablet PC software started strong out of the gate in Europe, according to market researcher Context.
Despite only a partial quarter of sales, Microsoft tablet PCs accounted for 1 percent of European portable sales during the fourth quarter. Microsoft launched its Windows XP Tablet PC Edition on Nov. 7, with Acer, Hewlett-Packard, Fujitsu-Siemens, Toshiba among the manufacturers selling portables using the software.
The majority of manufacturers use a flat design with 10.4-inch or 12.1-inch display. Toshiba"s model is a more typical subnotebook that morphs into a tablet. Users can either input written text or drawings with a stylus or attach a keyboard for input.
While Microsoft has been hot on the technology"s rapid adoption, analysts have been cool. IDC expects manufacturers to sell only 425,000 units worldwide--or about 1 percent of all portables--this year. But early sales in Europe suggest potentially stronger numbers than previously forecast.
"Normally when a new technology or form factor is launched, these tend to be aimed at early adopters willing to pay premium prices," Context analyst Jeremy Davies said. "Take-up is therefore slow as the product eventually goes mainstream."