As a result of continued robust consumer demand for tablets, as well as strong expectations for Q4 2012, market analytics company IDC (International Data Corporation) has raised its tablet shipment forecast for 2012.

The analytics firm now expects the global tablet market to ship 117.1 million units, an increase of the company’s previous forecast of 107.4 million tablets for this year. In addition, the IDC also increased its 2013 forecast shipment tally from 142.8 million to 165.9 million units. By 2016 the company expects that global tablet shipments to reach 261.4 million devices.

Tom Mainelli, research director of Mobile Connected Devices at IDC, stated that users continue to purchase tablets in record numbers, even in the face of ongoing economic concerns in most regions of the world. Mainelli added that the IDC expects a really robust buyer demand for these mobile devices during Q4 2012.

“Apple leads the market with its iPad, and we expect its dominance to continue in the second half of the year. Still, we believe there is room in the market for others to find success, and new Android- and Windows-based products shipping in the coming months will give consumers plenty of buying options during the holiday season,” Mainelli concluded.

 Windows slates now included in Tablet Tracker service

Besides increasing the unit shipment totals for 2012, the IDC also updated its Tablet Tracker service to include Windows-based slates. The ICD defines Windows tablets as those operating on Windows 7, Windows RT as well as Windows 8, which are shipping during Q4 2012. The company expects Redmond-powered tablets to grow from about 1% of the market last year to 4% by the end of this year. From there, the IDC forecasts that Windows-based slates will grow its market share to 11% by 2016.

Within the same timeframe, the IDC expects Apple’s iOS will grow from 57.2% in 2011 to 60% in 2012, eventually decreasing its tablet share back to 58% by 2016. Android’s market share, however, will drop from 38.9% to 35.3% this year and slip further to 30.5% by 2016.

“Tablets running Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 8 and RT operating systems, including the company’s own Surface tablets, will add some momentum,” said Jennifer Song, research analyst for IDC’s Worldwide Tracker service.

“However, we expect shipments to remain low in the fourth quarter as high prices and consumer confusion around these devices will limit their appeal. Also, in the second half of the year Android should benefit from the success of the Nexus 7 and Amazon’s launch of new Kindle Fires,” concluded Song.

In related news, IDC recently announced that China is poised to overtake the US as the number one smartphone market. The analytics firm stated that strong end-user demand as well as an appetite for lower-priced smartphones will make the People’s Republic of China the largest market for smartphones this year.