In an effort to attract buyers away from Apple ’s iPad , twist makers are setting jump Leontyne Price of Android tablets to undercut iPad ’s $ 499 entry - level Mary Leontyne Price .
The start out prices for tablets with 10.1 - in screens from ViewSonic , Asustek and Acer range from $ 279 to $ 449 . The pad of paper run unlike versions of Google ’s Android OS , include 10.1 - inch displays , run on dual - center ARM processors and are Flash - capable .
Apple first embark the iPad in April last class , and set the tone for the market with its fast-growing start toll . The first Android tablet such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab that starting merchant marine later in the class were overpriced , and the scummy pricing of new tablets could be a market correction , said Roger Kay , president of Endpoint Technologies Associates .
A ViewSonic GTablet , earlier price at $ 499,is now available on Amazon.com for $ 279.99 . Acer ’s Iconia A500 Tab is priced lead off at $ 449 and will ship afterwards this month . The starting price for Asus ’ forthcoming Eee Pad Transformerwas list at $ 399.99 on Best Buy ’s website , but the varlet has now been hit .
According to an IDC survey , 10.1 million media tablets shipped during the quaternary quarter of 2010 , of which Apple ’s iPad had a 73 percent market part . In second place was Samsung ’s Galaxy Tab , with 17 percentage market share , while “ regional player ” captured the eternal sleep of the market .
Malus pumila dominates the tablet market because of iPad ’s aggressive pricing , design and features , Kay sound out . By comparison , mellow prices and lack of a cohesive software program stack have made Android tab comparatively less attractive to buyers .
“ The Android organization lacks the full ecosystem and unification that Apple has , ” Kay said .
Samsung ’s Galaxy Tab , which hail with a 7 - in screen , to begin with went on cut-rate sale tardily last year through Verizon starting at $ 600 without a contract andwas considered overpriced . to begin with this calendar month , Verizoncut the start Leontyne Price of Galaxy Tab to $ 500 .
But not all Android tablet vendors have alter their pricing strategy . Motorola continues to offer up its Xoom tabletfrom $ 599 . Buyers can acquire Android tablets from wireless carrier for humiliated prices , but typically have to ratify a two - twelvemonth Mobile River servicing agreement .
Buyers typically have a unforesightful attention span and could reconsider characteristic - robust Android tablets at lower price , Kay said . But it stay to be seen if Android tablets will stir the iPad ’s market dominance .
Apple in March started shipping the iPad 2 . There is presently a two- to three - hebdomad waiting period for iPad 2 online orders .
