ABI Research is not too optimistic when it comes to Microsoft’s new Surface tablet. The research outfit estimates that Windows based tablets will account for only 1.3 percent of global tablet shipments in 2012.

The 1.3 percent figure includes old Windows 7 tablets, ARM based Windows RT tablets and even Windows 8 tablets were thrown in for good measure.

However, ABI Research believes the obvious market opportunity for Microsoft is the business segment, since most business users already use Windows.

In any case ABI reckons Microsoft may face an uphill battle in the tablet market.

More here.