San Francisco - Iconic Apple founder Steve Jobs famously dismissed the concept of 7-inch tablet computers, but according to the latest report by research firm IDC, sales of the smaller, cheaper devices are going through the roof.

 "One in every two tablets shipped this quarter was below 8 inches in screen size. And in terms of shipments, we expect smaller tablets to continue growing in 2013 and beyond," said Jitesh Ubrani, research analyst for IDC’s Tablet Tracker.

 "Vendors are moving quickly to compete in this space as consumers realize that these small devices are often more ideal than larger tablets for their daily consumption habits."

 Apple’s iPad mini is one of the most expensive of these smaller tablets and is facing stiff competition from tablets powered by Google’s Android operating system, the report said.

 Global tablet shipments in 2013 will total 191 million units, increasing 11 per cent per year until 2017, when tablet shipments will reach 350 million units. Apple’s share of the tablet market will decline to 46 per cent in 2013, down from 56 per cent in 2011, while tablets operating Google’s Android operating system will grow to 48.8 per cent of the market.