Affordable tablets earn top billing this year

Tablet computer manufacturers figure to introduce plenty of cutting-edge devices this year, and according to IntoMobile's Blake Stimac, more affordable -- yet still capable -- tablets could gain in popularity among consumers.

While some device makers have shown little interest in this segment of the market, Stimac argues that it still holds untapped potential. This may be especially true for tablets that carry price tags in the $200 to $250 range.

Stimac cites students as proof, as more education materials are being delivered digitally. An affordable device could really capture this market.

"Tablets hold a big part of some of the curriculum we teach students, so as we’re growing, we need to be able to put more tablets into more student’s hands and we can’t see ourselves buying 10-plus iPads anytime soon," Xavier Serrato, co-founder and executive director of Vision Academy, tells the news provider.

The Los Angeles Times reports that signs point to a reduction of the average price of tablets. For example, 65 percent of respondents to a Forrester Research poll said price ranks as their top consideration for making a purchase.