Global device (PCs, tablets and mobile phones) shipments are set to total 2.4 billion in 2013 before reaching over 2.9 billion by 2017 Gartner reports, even if the device mix will see changes during the period.

Consumer preference to lower-priced tablets, coupled with growing capability, accelerates the shift away from PCs-- traditional desktop and notebook PC shipments are to drop by -7.9% during 2013, although ultramobile shipments should offset the decline to -3.5% when combined.

"While there will be some individuals who retain both a personal PC and a tablet, especially those who use either or both for work and play, most will be satisfied with the experience they get from a tablet as their main computing device," the analyst says. "As consumers shift their time away from their PC to tablets and smartphones, they will no longer see their PC as a device that they need to replace on a regular basis."

comScore releases the 2013 Europe Digital Future in Focus report-- an overview of the European digital landscape providing a guide to current trends in web usage, online video, mobile and search.

"European consumers are more digitally-engaged than ever before and their usage of mobile, internet-enabled devices is re-defining the media landscape," the analyst says.

According to the report 408.3 million in Europe used the internet via either PC or laptop in December 2012, a 7% Y-o-Y increase.

Within the EU5 (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and UK) 57% of mobile users owned a smartphone during Q4 2012, with Spain having the highest (66%) smartphone adoption rate. For the same period 23m EU5 users own both smartphone and tablet.

Global smart connected device (desktop and notebook PCs, tablets and smartphones) shipments reach 1 billion units in 2012 IDC reports, growing by 29.1% with revenues worth $576.9 billion.

Shipments in Q4 2012 amount to nearly 378m and revenues are over $168m as Apple closes in on market leader Samsung with 20.3% unit shipment share (versus 21.2% for Samsung) thanks to the iPhone 5 and the iPad mini.

Apple dominates Q4 2012 on a revenue basis, with 30.7% share versus 20.4% Samsung share.

IDC increases its 2013 tablet shipment forecast from 172.4 million to 190.9m units, thanks to a predicted surge of smaller, lower-priced devices.

"One in every two tablets shipped this quarter was below 8-inch in screen size," IDC says. "In terms of shipments, we expect smaller tablets to continue growing in 2013 and beyond... Vendors are moving quickly to compete in this space as consumers realize that these small devices are often more ideal than larger tablets for their daily consumption habits."

According to the analyst WW tablet shipments will reach over 350m by end 2017, with a CAGR of 11% during the 2013-2016 period.