Sales of tablet PCs in the Taiwan market are expected to top 35,000-40,000 units a month in 2012 compared to 30,000 units on average in 2011, with 7-inch models more popular than 10-inch models, according to sources in retail channels.

However, competition will become increasingly fierce after Apple launches its new iPads in the first quarter of the year, said the sources, adding that iPads will account for 50-60% of the local tablet PC market for the year.

The Eee Pad Transformer tablets launched by Asustek Computer are expected to take up only a small portion of the market due to high prices, the sources commented.