While an estimated 90 percent of Ultra-mobile Devices (UMDs) shipped in 2009 were based on an x86 processor architecture, analysts forecast that annual UMD shipments of netbooks, MIDs, smartbooks and UMPCs based on ARM instruction sets will overtake x86-based UMDs in 2013.
ABI Research predicts that the introduction of ARM-based systems introduces greater choice and differentiation for system vendors.
According to senior analyst Jeff Orr: "2010 will be pivotal for building momentum behind non-x86 solutions, and gaining adoption in both distribution channels and by end-user populations worldwide."
The important netbook segment of the UMD market is now moving into its second generation, and a growing number of netbooks based on ARM platforms are now appearing in the market, a trend no doubt helped by the perception that ARM-based systems are heavily oriented towards an "always connected" mode of operation.
Additionally, ARM-based products are coming out in a growing variety of different form-factors including tablets.
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