Asustek Computer expects to almost double its shipments of Android tablets in 2013, as part of efforts to come second only to Apple in combined notebook and tablet shipments next year. Sales of 7-inch tablets, such as the Google Nexus 7, will contribute significantly to the growth, CFO David Chang said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal. He also expects support from a global economic recovery. Asustek expects to ship a total 12 million Android tablets in 2013, up 91 percent from 6.3 million in 2012. Shipments of Windows-based notebooks and tablets are expected to hit 24 million units in 2013, an increase of 7.6 percent from 22.3 million this year. After re-entering the phone market this year with its PadFone and PadFone 2, Asustek also expects to ship 1 million mobile phones next year. Chang said Asustek is aiming to grab the No. 2 spot behind Apple in combined shipments of notebooks and tablets next year, a goal that analysts said is aggressive but possible. In the third quarter, Asustek was in fourth place in tablet shipments, behind Apple, Samsung Electronics and Amazon.com, according to IDC.
