CRN.com reported that according to market research firm International Data Corporation (IDC), worldwide shipments of smart connected devices increased nearly 30% in 2012.  According to the CRN report, the driving force behind that increase, according to IDC, was the tablet market, which grew more than 80% and surpassed 128 million units shipped in 2012.
 
The report also states that  IDC expects tablets shipments to surpass desktop PC shipments for the first time in 2013. In addition, IDC forecasts tablets will outpace "portable" PC shipments next year as well.
 
According to IDC's numbers, the traditional PC market is seeing a decline even in emerging markets as tablets and smartphones take priority over desktops and notebooks.