Ultrabooks, Windows 8 coming to small businesses in 2012

Small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) will be looking to take advantage of new technology in the new year, with Ultrabook™ computers and Windows® 8 being among the biggest IT trends of 2012.

It can be difficult to predict what IT trends will take hold, as the technology industry has time and time again shown that it is unpredictable. Nevertheless, the Ultrabook and Microsoft's new operating system are two technologies that are almost guaranteed to make an impact.

The Ultrabook is likely to find favor because it manages to bridge the gap between tablets and notebook computers. This is an attractive feature for SMBs, which are looking to embrace the portability of today's technology, but still retain the productivity offered by a physical keyboard.

Windows 8 will be big news because it brings Microsoft® to the tablet. Though the software giant has struggled in this particular market, its programs are still used by the majority of SMBs. This combination of Windows and tablets could be a major selling point for SMBs looking for some familiarity from their software.

Several other technologies are poised to make some noise in the SMB sector as well as other areas. Cloud computing is primed for rapid expansion across all industries, as are smartphones and virtualization.