The next two years: Windows up, iOS up, Android soars

Barry Collins Read more March 27, 2014

Android is set to increase its dominance of the global operating system market over the next couple of years, according to analysts Gartner.

The next two years: Windows up, iOS up, Android soars

The research firm predicts that device shipments of Android, iOS/Mac and Windows will all continue to grow over the next few years, when including sales of phones, tablets and PCs.

Tablet substitution of notebooks will start to dissipate from this year onwards

However, Android will far outstrip its rivals, increasing its shipments from 800 million in 2013 to 1.4 billon in 2015, a growth rate of 55%.

Windows will record growth of only 16% over that period, according to Gartner, while combined sales of iOS/Mac devices will show 34% growth.

There is some good news for Microsoft in Gartner’s tea leaves. Although sales of traditional PCs – defined as desktops and laptops – are predicted to fall by 6.6% this year, Gartner sees things starting to level out, as the novelty of tablets begin to wear off.

“Tablet substitution of notebooks will start to dissipate from this year onwards as consumers and businesses align the right device with the right usage pattern,” said Ranjit Atwal, research director at Gartner.

“As they do this, we will see where dedicated devices (such as tablets), or hybrid devices (detachable or convertible devices), fit in the overall portfolio of devices.”