Many more people in the UK may find themselves looking for ink supplies for wireless printers if they wish to print out documents they have produced on a tablet PC.

According to research from Kantar Worldpanel ComTech, 3.62 million people in the UK now own such a device and the firm predicted this number is set to grow rapidly as more people become aware of the products.

The iPad remains the market leader, accounting for 73 per cent of all sales in the country, which the organisation suggested is a result of high brand recognition and loyalty from consumers familiar with the iPhone handset.

"Apple's achievements in this market are clearly linked to its success in the smartphone market. 80 per cent of people who already own an iPhone and plan to purchase a tablet intend to buy an iPad," said Dominic Sunnebo, global consumer insight director at Kantar Worldpanel ComTech.

Recently, it was also announced by HP that it will offer refunds to anyone who bought a TouchPad device at full price before the cost of the gadget was slashed after the firm discontinued production.