Tablet PCs and smartphones use external power adapters, which represent the fastest growing segment of the merchant power supply market. The market for power supplies for tablet PCs is calculated to grow by $250 million from 2012 to 2014. Similarly, the smartphone market continues to expand. led by products from Apple and Samsung. Further demand is coming from the developing markets where 3G—and in some cases, 4G networks—are being rolled out.

The markets for power supplies used in LED lighting and server and storage applications also are projected to be key growth drivers in the coming years. The adoption of LED lighting is forecast to drive the market for power supplies used in lighting applications to almost triple in five years.

Cloud computing investment by companies will help grow the market for power supplies in server and storage applications by $500 million in five years.

However, these four applications account for only about 25 % of the total power supply market. Large, traditional markets such as industrial and telecommunications continue to suffer from a lack of investment and low business confidence which reduces demand for power supplies needed for new equipment and machinery. It is forecast that these two markets in particular will suffer from weak end-equipment demand for the foreseeable future with revenue not returning to the 2011 estimated value for a projected four years. To ensure growth and recovery in the coming years, suppliers must identify and target lucrative markets that will provide them with future opportunities as demand remains low in many of the traditional areas upon which suppliers have depended.