TAIPEI – Third-quarter global tablet PC shipments hit 18.7 million units, up 27.5% sequentially, compared to sequential growth of 60.9% in the second quarter, says Digitimes Research.

As a result of a weak global economy, Apple's iPad shipments did not meet third-quarter expectations with 13 million units, up 36.8% sequentially.

Most non-iPad tablet PCs endured high inventory issues during the period, according to Digitimes Research. Also, many launches of new tablet PC products have been postponed. Shipments of non-iPad tablet PCs only grew 10.1% sequentially.

For tablet PC CPUs, Nvidia was the No. 2 supplier in terms of shipments, while Texas Instruments fell to No. 4. Inventec is now the No. 2 ODM, with Quanta Computer falling to No. 5.