Tablet shipments rose more than 112-percent in Q2 of this year, eclipsing netbook shipments for the first time. Tablet sales reportedly hit 13.6 million in Q2, a decent increase from Q1 which saw 6.4 million sold. Netbooks were the champions of Q1 with estimated sales of 8.4 million, roughly 2 million more than tablets.

The spike in tablet shipments is largely thanks to Apple's iPad 2. 68-percent of all tablets shipped globally in Q2 were iPad models. ABI Research group director, Jeff Orr says why many people are choosing tablets over netbooks:

Media tablets are perceived to be easy to use, compared to the keyboard and mouse interface of a netbook computer. Those who have avoided PCs because they are difficult to use - think the Baby Boomer generation and older - see media tablets as an opportunity to re-engage with Internet access.

Netbooks won't just disappear, though. They're still great value in underdeveloped counties where PC access at home is tougher to come by. Early adopters in the US, Japan, South Korea and Western Europe are expected to continue to drive tablet sales forward.