The tablet takeover is ahead of schedule

Worldwide sales of tablet devices could top laptop sales ahead of market research predictions. Last month, NPD guessed 121 million tablets would need to sell to be on track to leap laptop sales by 2016. Figures from tech research firm Gartner puts tablet sales at 111 million units for iOS and Android tablets only. Of course, these are not the only players or anticipated devices in the game. Microsoft will launch its Surface tablet sometime this fall, Amazon is preparing an updated Kindle lineup with a bigger screen, there are rumors Apple could be launching a seven-inch mini iPad October or November, and Samsung just launched its Galaxy Note device with stylus-related abilities. Factoring in these developments could help tablets overtake laptops in just two or three years.