Tablet shipments are expected to increase twelvefold by 2015 to reach 242.3 million units from 17.4 million in 2010. This exponential growth will be due to an explosion in media tablets demand between now and then. PC-type tablets and tablets with PC functionality will jump to 39.3 million units from 2.3 million currently, according to figures from IHS iSuppli.

“The remarkable expansion of the tablet market from 2010 to 2015 will be driven by three successive waves of growth…The first wave, which is hitting in 2010 and 2011, was created by the arrival of the IPad and the ensuing tsunami of demand for the device. The second wave, arriving in 2011 and 2012, will be propelled by a deluge of IPad competitors, particularly Android-based models. The third wave, which will turn up in 2013, will consist of a flood of models based on the Windows operating system that will expand the reach of tablets into traditional computer markets,” says Rhoda Alexander, director of monitor research at IHS, according to PC Mag.

Although the Apple Ipad is the very embodiment of the current tablet movement and has a substantial head start compared to other companies, it won’t be holding the monopoly forever, according to iSuppli. It is likely to lose its vast majority by 2013, and decrease to 50 percent of total shipments. During this time, Android tablets and Windows tablets are expected to start competing with each other to expand, and increase their market share.

“Microsoft and PC makers will engage in a vicious battle to fight off the ongoing share grab from media tablets, even as many of these vendors offer media tablet solutions of their own…Expect to see a blend of slates, convertibles and dual- and potentially tri-screen solutions as alternatives to the media tablet onslaught,” added Alexander to iSuppli.

This competition will likely lead to more affordable tablet prices for consumers and this will allow the market to expand even more by 2015 and even beyond.