Tablet computers top SMBs' wish lists

If they haven't deployed the devices already, it appears as though many small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) have plans to purchase tablet computers in the near future, a report from Newtek Business Services says.

By polling more than 1,100 respondents, Newtek's study finds that 55 percent can see themselves using a tablet in the future. SMBs' enthusiasm for tablets is also reflected by the fact that 45 percent say it will be their next technology purchase. Forty-one percent note they will purchase a laptop next, while 14 percent say they will purchase a desktop.

A good number more are already using the devices, as 28 percent say they have deployed business applications on tablets. That figure outpaces the 19 percent who said they use a laptop computer for such software.

Analysis of its client base conducted by cloud services provider Intermedia in March 2012 also shows that more small businesses are deploying and using tablets. Intermedia's poll reveals that tablets accounted for 25 percent of all new activations for the company's ActiveSync service. Between October and December 2011 alone, activations for tablets increased from 19 percent to 26 percent.