If you believe the "DigiTimes" (http://www.digitimes.com) site, the iPad and the MacBook Air are putting some serious smack-down on their competitors.

The DigiTimes research group says that notebook brand vendors are turning their focus to ultrabooks (a computer in a category of thin and lightweight ultraportable laptops, defined by a specification from Intel), which have better profitability compared to the traditional notebooks. Most of the notebook brand vendors are also turning away from the netbook market (a category of small, lightweight, legacy-free, and inexpensive laptop computers), says "DigiTimes."

Personally, I think there's a line so fine between an ultrabook and a netbook that it's almost indistinguishable. Regardless, the hottest selling "small" laptop around is the Air.

As for tablet computers, although players such as Acer and Asustek have launched quad-core tablets with support of the latest Android system, these players aren't paying as much attention to compete against Apple or Amazon like before and are turning their focus back to the notebook market, says "DigiTimes." In other words, the iPad -- and, less so, the Kindle Fire -- is kicking everyone's butt so hard they're abandoning ship.

Makes you wonder what may happen in 2012 if/when Apple releases some rocking new desktops and possibly an iTV.

-- Dennis Sellers