When it comes to 2-in-1 tablets (or detachable tablets), Microsoft blazed a trail with its Surface range (Surface Pro 4 pictured above). Windows OEMs followed suit in droves, Google threw its hat into the ring, and Apple thinks they invented the form factor and are doubling down with a second, smaller iPad Pro.

Turns out it’s not simply a case of the blind leading the blind; customers actually want a tablet that can double as a laptop, at least according to a new International Data Corporation (IDC) forecast.

Despite worldwide tablet shipments set to decline to 195 million units in 2016, down 5.9 percent from 2015, IDC forecasts that the overall market will grow beyond 2016 and continue to do so, thanks to growing demand for detachable tablets. Having accounted for just 8 percent of the tablet market in 2015, IDC claims 2-in-1 tablets will make up 30 percent of all tablets shipped by 2020.

IDC also predicts two trends for the tablet industry: more demand for devices with screen sizes of 9-inches or bigger, and a preference for Microsoft-based devices.

Should IDC’s forecast prove accurate, Windows 2-in-1 tablets will take significant share away from both Android and iOS tablets.

“This momentous shift in form factor will bring along the first significant impact of Windows-based devices that the tablet market has seen,” said Ryan Reith, Program Director with IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Device Trackers in a statement. “Until we see a day where touch is introduced for Mac OS X and inroads are paved to bring Android and Chrome more closely aligned, we believe Windows remains the logical choice for detachable products,” he added.

Source: IDC

“Beyond the growing demand for detachable devices, we’re also witnessing an increase in competition within this segment that will help drive design, innovation, and a decline in average prices,” said Jean Philippe Bouchard, an IDC research director.

For a comprehensive look at the 2-in-1 tablets that have hit the market over the last six months, take a look at our in-depth comparisons and coverage below:

Exciting time for consumers as Microsoft reveals new Surface Pro 4, Lumia flagships and an impressive Surface Book laptop

Surface Pro 4 vs. Surface Book vs. Surface Pro 3: Is it worth upgrading and which one is best for you?

Rumored 9.7″ iPad Pro vs. Surface Pro 4: Can a smaller iPad Pro compete?

New Surface Pro 4 vs. iPad Pro vs. Pixel C: Which is the right hybrid tablet for you?

Surface Pro 4 vs. HP Spectre x2 vs. Lenovo MIIX 700 vs. Dell XPS 12: Latest 2-in-1 Windows tablets duke it out

New Samsung Galaxy TabPro S vs. Microsoft Surface Pro 4 vs. Apple iPad Pro: More choice in 2-in-1market

Toshiba releases 2-in-1 Surface-like Windows 10 device: Champion of the super lightweight division

Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 tablet is a 2-in-1 for all occasions, includes projector, 3D camera

Image via Microsoft