
The iPad was Apple's entry into the 'tablet computer' market, with touch-controlled interface, and capable of use as an ebook reader, video and music player, digital photo frame, email and Web access device, etc.
In producing its own tablet computer called Surface, Microsoft Corp. is entering a market dominated by Apple Inc. Six out of every 10 tablets shipped are iPads, according to research firm IHS iSuppli.
Here are the top five manufacturers of tablets last year:
Apple
Inc., maker of the iPad, 40.5 million shipped worldwide, 62 percent share
Samsung Electronics Co., maker of Galaxy line, 6.1 million, 9 percent.
Amazon.com Inc., maker of Kindle Fire, 3.9 million, 6 percent
Barnes & Noble, maker of Nook products, 3.3 million, 5 percent
AsusTek Computer Inc., maker of Transformer line, 2.1 million, 3 percent
Other, 9.4 million, 14 percent
Source: IHS iSuppli