With newer and cheaper models coming out, tablet shipments are expected to soon outpace PC shipments.(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)
As a slew of new tablets were announced over the last few days, data shows that tablet shipments will soon surpass those of personal computers.
A report by research firm IDC predicts that for the first time more tablets will be shipped in the fourth quarter of 2013 than PC shipments; and, by 2015, annual tablet shipments will top PC shipments.
"The device world has seen several iterations of cannibalization impacting different categories, with the last few years focused on tablets cannibalizing PC sales," IDC clients and displays program vice president Bob O'Donnell said in a statement.
By the numbers, tablet shipments are expected to reach 84.1 million units in the fourth quarter, while PC shipments will be 83.1 million. PC shipments are looking to drop by 10 percent for all of 2013.
IDC says that while people will continue to buy top-of-the-line tablets, cheaper models will overpower the market in the near future.