About 200 million branded tablets will ship in 2014, a 20% gain on year from the 166 million shipments in 2013, according to ABI Research.

　　With more choices than ever for mobile computing, consumers and businesses will weigh the role of tablets along with ultra-mobile PCs and large-size smartphones to satisfy their communications and computing needs. But 2014 will be anything but status quo for tablet suppliers. "If Intel is able to achieve its goal of 40 million tablets with its processor technology, the silicon vendor will suddenly become a significant player," said senior practice director at ABI Research Jeff Orr. "One of the greatest opportunities in 2014 is for development, manufacturing and marketing of tablets on a regional and even local level, which shakes up the vendor ecosystem of the past four years. Partnerships and deals struck this year will be key for the next few years of tablet adoption."

　　Since 2010, the tablet market has been led by North America and its affinity with Apple's iPad. ABI Research predicts North America will drop below 50% of all branded tablet shipments for the first time. Continued efforts by Apple, Samsung Electronics, and other OEM vendors to find favor in growth markets will result in new distribution channels for retail, network operators and e-commerce, ABI Research added.