Hewlett-Packard (HP) has become the latest US computer maker to jump on Thailand's consumer tablet bandwagon, underlining the potential of the third-generation mobile broadband market.
However, industry veterans believe the world's second-largest computer maker might not be able to keep pace with the likes of Apple and Samsung in the short term.
HP yesterday unveiled its Android-based consumer tablet in the Thai market, hoping to capitalise on increasing demand.
IDC (Thailand), a unit of the global research firm, predicts tablet sales in Thailand will surge by 94% to 5.3 million units this year, driven mainly by the government's One Tablet per Child scheme.
Smartphone sales are also expected to jump by 70% to 9 million, making up 40% of mobile phone sales.
In contrast, the notebook market in Thailand contracted by 10% in the first quarter of this year.
Thitaphon Boonprasit, business director for printing and personal systems of HP Thailand, said the company uses a multi-operating system and multi-processor strategy for its tablets in order to broaden market opportunities.
HP yesterday rolled out its HP Slate tablet featuring a seven-inch display priced at 4,990 baht.
The company also introduced the HP SlateBook x2 notebook priced at 19,990 baht and the HP Slate desktop computer priced at 11,990 baht.
Mr Thitaphon said Android-based devices were increasing in popularity with a 65-67% share of the global market, followed by Apple's iOS with 20%.
Jarit Sidhu, a market analyst at IDC (Thailand), said international brands such as Acer, Asus, Lenovo and HP are stepping up their efforts to penetrate the Thai tablet market. They are priced below 5,000 baht and target entry users.
He said Apple and Samsung are strongly established in the Thai tablet and smartphone markets, especially in the high-end segments.
Chinese tablet makers dominate the low-end tablet market, Mr Jarit said.