Intel, which launched the Classmate PC specifically for emerging countries' education markets in 2007, did not achieve significant results with its StudyBook tablet in 2012. But in 2013, it released the Education Tablets, renewing its efforts for the educational segment. Digitimes Research estimates that the Education Tablets' shipments will break one million units in 2014, replacing some demand for notebook-shaped Classmate PCs. The replacement trend will become stronger in 2015, allowing the Education Tablets to achieve an on-year shipment growth of over 100% and account for 60% of Intel's education product shipments (Classmate PCs plus Education Tablets), up from 35% in 2014.
In 2014, Intel's Education Tablets all feature a 10-inch display with Mexico and Venezuela being the largest clients initially. Digitimes Research expects countries that have procured Classmate PCs previously (over 80% located in Latin America) to turn to purchase the Education Tablets, causing Classmate PCs' shipments to drop from 2.5 million units in 2014 to below two million units in 2015. At the same time, the Education Tablets' shipments will reach more than three million units in 2015.
Orders from emerging countries' education markets are usually heavily influenced by political factors and government budgets.Therefore, it remains to be seen whether the Education Tablets can break Classmate PCs' annual shipment ceiling of 3.5 million units in 2015.
This article is an excerpt from a Digitimes Research Special Report (2015 global notebook demand forecast). Visit our latest Special reports.