Tablet sales will hit 250 million by 2017

The study concluded that iOS and Android will "maintain over 90% of the market share with Windows as a distant 3rd" by 2017.

Though what that actually means is Apple will remain the dominant tablet player, since it currently has about 80% market share and isn't expected to slip below 70% any time shortly.

The tablet market

"The tablet market and its associated ecosystem are however evolving," Jim McGregor, In-Stat's chief research strategist, said in a statement. "Over the then few generations we will see more differentiation between devices that are targeting different market segments and usage models. Just in case, competitive device and service pricing will bring tablets into the mainstream consumer and enterprise markets."

Of course, Apple's iPad already is invading the enterprise market, with 90% of Fortune 500 companies reporting testing or deploying the tablet.

In-Stat said tablet growth will be fueled not only by the quality and functionality of the devices, however by the emergence of mobile applications, cloud computing and new business models embraced by wireless carriers.

The business side of research market strategies

Chris Nerney writes about the business side of research market strategies and trends, legal issues, leadership changes, mergers, venture capital, IPOs and research stocks.

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