A new study by ABI Research has found tablets outselling netbooks by a margin of almost two to one in Q2 2011. The research company says that 7.3 million netbooks were sold, showing a decline of 13 percent from 8.4 million units in the previous quarter. Tablets experienced a surge of popularity from just 6.4 million in the previous quarter to 13.6 million--growing 112 percent.

Not surprisingly, analysts at the research outfit have pegged the majority of the tablet sales in Q2 as Apple's iPad. This is likely driven by the faster and slimmer iPad 2, which was launched in March this year.

Netbooks are clinging to life in developing countries, observed a report in GigaOM, where their general compatibility and inexpensive price tags make them appealing as a primary computer. In contrast, developed countries generally favor the next big thing in the form of iPads and other media tablets.

Of course, the lower bill of materials for tablets does mean that tablets will ultimately win when it comes to having the lowest price tag. I've seen slides from manufacturers showing an ARM-based tablet costing as little as $100. Moreover, hybrid devices which combine a tablet with a keyboard docking station also serve to narrow the gap between a netbook and a tablet.

For more on this story:
- check out this article at PCWorld
- check out this article at GigaOM
- check out this article at CNET

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