Tablet computers aren’t often counted among personal computers, but according to a new report from Canalys, devices such as Apple’s iPad play a starring role in this expansive category.

In fact, by including the iPad in its assessment of the PC market, Canalys reported strong PC industry growth of 19 percent in 4Q 2010, with Apple climbing to third place in the market, thanks to impressive iPad and Mac sales, as well as fast growth in Asia Pacific. The analyst company also attributes the majority of 4Q market growth to the rising demand for pads, a new product category.

“Pads gave consumers increased product choice over the holiday season,” said Canalys Analyst Tim Coulling, in a statement. ‘While they do not appeal to first-time buyers or low-income households, they are proving extremely popular as additional computing devices.’

What’s more, Canalys is challenging vendors to recognize tablet computers as an integral new component of the overall PC landscape, including the Samsung Galaxy Tab and Apple’s iPad.

“Pads gave the market momentum in 2010, just as netbooks did the year before,” said Canalys Senior Analyst Daryl Chiam, in a statement. “We are encouraging vendors to plan for the future and not to remain stuck in the past.”

Forrester Research recently issued a report projecting double the consumer tablet sales from 10.3 units to 24.1 million units, citing iPad as the leader of the pack. Even with the recent Consumer Electronics Show and the debut of “would-be competitors,” the iPad still promises to be king through 2012.

As reported earlier by TechZone360.com, at the forefront of the competition are Toshiba and Asus, who, at CES, assured tablets that will feature Honeycomb, Google’s very own Android OS for larger-screened devices. According to Google’s blog on the OS, Honeycomb comes with “better app switching, browser tabs, video chat, dynamic app shortcuts and new versions of Google's Android applications that take advantage of the bigger screen.”

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