Apple's iPad 2 will stay on top of the tablet market despite the influx of rivals because it will be able to lead the field on prices, apps and hardware specifications, according to analysis by the research company Gartner.

Its analysts, led by Carolina Milanesi, say key elements such as Apple's economies of scale, keeping the price of the iPad down, and the power of the app and hardware ecosystem will help sales in the retail and the enterprise markets.