When the
iPad debuted, many people assumed it would become a game-changer in higher
education, driving the adoption of digital course materials due to its greater
portability and lower cost compared to laptops.
That hasn’t
quite happened. However, a new forecast from International Data Corp. (IDC)
predicts detachable tablets (also known as hybrids) will become more popular in
the next few years, according to a report in eSchool News.
Since most college
students need a laptop to efficiently work on papers and homework, they may
latch onto detachables as the best of both worlds. They can use the assembled
machine for keyboarding activities, and detach the screen for on-the-go reading
and study.
The IDC
report said tablet shipments will dip this year and in 2017. However, starting
in 2018 shipments will start to rise due to greater sales of detachables. At
present, according to IDC, detachables make up 16% of tablet sales, but are
expected to expand to 31% by 2020.
One of the
reasons it will take a few years for sales of detachables to grow is that
tablet users don’t see the need to replace the devices all that often, unlike
cellphones. On average, users are content with their tablets for about four
years before getting a new model.
