Tablet computers to surge in 2011

If one trend is sure to change the face of business computing in 2011, it's a surge in the number of businesses choosing tablet computers for their workforce.

ChangeWave Research surveyed over 1,600 IT buyers and found that demand from businesses for the highly portable devices will double early next year. The explosive growth in the market will see almost 1 in 7 large firms providing some tablet computers for their employees.

From our position providing IT services in Bristol and throughout the south west, we're expecting the rise of tablet computers to be the next big wave to hit business computing.

Which tablets will be prominent in 2011?

First, there's the biggest player: Apple's iPad will remain the dominant workplace tablet, simply because users crave it and its (relative) longevity make it a surer bet. Plus, it says a lot about your company when the staff are toting the slickest gear.

But Apple won't have the market to itself. Historically strong enterprise players like Hewlett-Packard are about to enter the market. HP's first business tablet is the 9-in. Slate, a 'serious' (i.e. enterprise-focused) device that will sell for around the same price as iPad.

There'll be further competition from another new(ish) tablet rival, Dell. Its Streak tablet only packs a 5.-in. screen but portability will be one of its key selling points.

Most anticipated of all is the (not-yet-released) PlayBook from Research in Motion (RIM), the company behind BlackBerry. The PlayBook should be ready around spring 2011.

Still, what do companies surveyed in ChangeWave's market research say they'll be planning to buy?  An overwhelming 78% named the iPad as their first choice. Tied for second were Dell and RIM with 9% of the votes, HP coming in only marginally behind on 8%.

Nevertheless, despite the imbalance, what the research mainly shows is that tablet demand is booming. Will you be one of the companies making 2011 the year of the tablet?