iPad rivals 'have better chance in Europe'

Apple's tablet rivals have got a better chance of making inroads into the market against the dominant iPad in Europe than they do in the US, according to analysts.
Reuters reports that analysts at Forrester think the European market is more suitable for the iPad's competitors, such as Samsung's Galaxy Tab range, the Motorola Xoom and RIM's PlayBook.
This is partly due Apple's retail presence in Europe, which is limited to 52 official Apple Stores, compared to 238 in the US.
Forrester's Sarah Rotman Epps said: "There is this opportunity for iPad challengers, but the competition is very fragmented. Competing with Apple will require a different approach from what we've seen so far."
One area that Apple's rivals are struggling to compete in, Forrester says, is pricing. Apple's larger and more efficient supply chain will make it hard for Samsung et al to redress this balance, though other emerging manufacturers in China and Taiwan could help.
Epps expects Apple to have an 80 percent share of the consumer tablet market in the US at the end of 2011 and a 70 percent share in Europe. Tablet sales will hit 48 million in 2011, with 50 percent of these in the US, 30 percent in Europe, 15 percent in Asia and 5 percent in Latin America.
Forrester also noted that in the UK, where Apple has 30 stores, tablet ownership is currently at 3 percent.