Tablet Penetration Nears 50%

According to Parks Associates, 48% of U.S. broadband households own at least one tablet. Tablet ownership increased by nearly 33% in 2012, with 22% of households reporting a tablet purchase, while only 7% purchased an e-reader in 2012, down from 9% in 2011.Growth is expected to continue as OEMs release more tablets aimed at the high and low ends of the market. The research house says the tablet's success continues to threaten other consumer electronics categories such as e-readers and PCs. Tablet purchases surpassed desktop purchases for the first time in 2012 and are expected to match or exceed laptop purchases in 2013.