Apple's iPad 2 with strong improvements in its industrial design, chassis, hardware and operating system as well as its similar price level as the first-generation iPad, is already giving its competitors strong pressure and total iPad shipments (including iPad 2) should surpass 35 million units in 2011, according to Digitimes Research analyst Ian Peng.

However, since iPad buyers in 2010 were mostly from the enterprise market, Apple's iPad 2 will play an important role in boosting demand from the consumer market, since RIM's PlayBook is expected to bite off sales from iPad 2 in 2011.

Apple's introduction of new features such as iMovie as well as new accessories such as leather cases are both meant to attract consumers into buying iPad 2, Peng noted.

Therefore, Apple's effort in the consumer market will decide whether the company will be able to maintain 70% share in the 2011 tablet PC market, which is estimated by Apple to see shipments of 55-65 million units, of which more than 40 million will be iPads.