Apple iPad to leave rivals for dust

Tablet device will reign supreme for years, predicts analyst

Apple's iPad will soon face intense competition

Apple is on course to dominate the tablet market, according to an analyst report.

Research firm iSuppli said that the iPad range would account for up to three-quarters of all tablet sales this year and continue to carry the top spot in the market through 2012.

ISuppli predicts Apple's device will take over the tablet market in much the same way as its iPhone has stormed the smartphone market. It sees Apple setting a bar with its device and sending competitors back to the drawing board for a refresh process that could last years.

"Although the iPad has been on the market for only a few months, powerful interests throughout the technology business are devoting enormous resources to challenge and topple Apple’s domination in this fast-growing marketplace," said iSuppli monitor research director Rhoda Alexander.

"However, if recent history is any lesson, it will take some time for these companies to get their products to market, longer for them to offer necessary software support and infrastructure, and an even lengthier period to begin to rival the overall user experience Apple is able to deliver."

Apple's competitors are rushing to get products into the market. Dell recently entered the field with its Streak tablet, while HTC is reportedly looking to release a tablet in November. HP has set a target date of early 2011 for its tablet device.