A new analysis claims that tablet makers looking to compete with Apple's iPad should cut prices if they want to grasp the opportunity and they have a better chance in Europe than in the United States.

IT Research firm Forrester said on Tuesday that Apple's rivals should take advantage of Apple's small retail presence in Europe and build their consumer base there. Competing companies like Samsung, Acer and Research in Motion will have a better chance in Europe since the iPad maker only has 52 stores in Europe compared with 238 in the U.S. according to Reuters.

"There is this opportunity for iPad challengers, but the competition is very fragmented. Competing with Apple will require a different approach from what we've seen so far," said analyst Sarah Rotman Epps, the author of the Forrester report.

Competitors should also slash their prices to compete with Apple which has a better supply chain. Other challenges facing tablet makers are emerging manufacturers from China and Taiwan who could soon offer cheaper tablet alternatives.

"A competitor to Apple would have to put together the right content, the right price and the right channel strategy. There isn't anyone that has all three," Epps said.

Apple has collared the tablet-computer market after the launch of the iPad a year and a half ago. There have been close to 30 million iPads sold with a starting price at about $500.

Forrester estimates that Apple will sell 80 percent of the consumer tablets in the U.S. and 70 percent in Europe this year. Worldwide tablet sales are estimated to reach 48 million units, with half of those sold in the United States, 30 percent in Europe, 15 percent in Asia and 5 percent in Latin America.

Forrester said competitors need to have good local content and retail outlets, along with lower prices to succeed over Apple.

"Manufacturers, retailers and operators we spoke with all commented on the failure of the first 7-inch tablets that attempted to compete with the iPad," Forrester wrote.

"The newer generation of iPad challengers, such as the 10-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab and the Acer Iconia Tab, are getting better reception, but they're still at a disadvantage to Apple in terms of channel strategy."