Alan Chang, president of ViewSonic Europe and Asia Pacific, has forecast that tablet PCs will replace as much as 70% of global netbook sales in 2011 as he sees that netbook inventory levels in Europe's retail channels have been increasing significantly due to strong tablet PC demand, while the largest chain retailer in Europe, CPW, is also ready to shelve its netbook products in the third quarter.

Chang pointed out that demand for smartphones and tablet PCs is picking up quickly with the total demand for smart handheld devices expected to reach 100 million units in 2011, surging growth compared to the smart handheld device sales of 39 million units in 2010, and with the addition of tablet PC shipments, the growth will be even stronger.

As tablet PCs will replace 70% of the netbooks sales, netbook products in the future may turn to focus on niche markets for survival, Chang added.