Detachable stories

The personal computing market is in decline, with unit shipments expected to drop 3.3% in 2019, except for detachable devices which see modest growth.

Despite the bleak forecast, IDC assures there are actually several pockets of opportunities and growth like gaming & ultraslim notebooks.

While the market for slate tablets continues to struggle, the detachables market is starting to flourish - something the top vendors are exploiting.

Despite the personal computing devices market posting another decline in 2017, IDC says there are a number of positive aspects to take advantage of.

Growth for the overall year just remained positive with 1.6 percent year over year growth in 2017, a sharp drop from the 24 percent growth in 2016.

Growth for four of the top five tablet vendors has failed to stop the tablet decline as a critical crossroad for detachable tablets looms.

Windows 10 detachables and the commercial segment are providing some relief in the ailing personal computing device market.

Despite the turmoil within the market, 3 of the top 5 vendors actually managed to increase their shares of the market and grow on an annual basis.

Apple recorded the fastest growth in the quarter ended December 2016, making it into the top five despite the segment shrinking 3.1 percent.

Apple edges past Microsoft in NZ's heated detachable market battle, seizing a narrow 2016 lead with a 32% share.

Even the holiday quarter of 2016 couldn't save the dwindling tablet market as it continued its spirally decline, IDC says.

Apple has surged to the top of the detachable market in New Zealand, pushing Microsoft into second, according to IDC New Zealand.

Although these markets are forecast for growth in the detachable segment, the disproportionate decline in slate tablets ensures no growth until 2020.

The Australian tablet market continues to decline, with detachables being the only bright spot, according to IDC.

Apple and Samsung defy downward trend in global tablet market, with IDC reporting year-over-year decline of 14.7%.

NZ tablet market wobbles as slate sales slide, but detachable varieties soar with a sharp 142% growth, IDC reports.

Demand for detachable tablets is set to bolster Windows tablet play, with Windows devices expected to dominate the detachable market come 2020.

What HP has done in its most recent laptop is incredibly clever and solves many issues for a consumer in an elegant and compact package.

The transition towards detachable tablets is in full swing, with Apple coming out on top as the clear winner above Microsoft and other PC vendors.