Over 27 percent workers deem laptops to be replaced with tablets
By siliconindia   |   Saturday, 13 November 2010, 14:22 IST
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New York: In a gadget war arena where tablets are gaining dominance day by day over laptops, yet another survey authenticates the tablet authority. 27.4 percent of 'mobile workers' believe that tablets will replace laptops for general business use in the next year, according to findings from iPass, a provider of mobile connectivity services to companies. The query was included in iPass latest Mobile Workforce Report, which will be released next week according to Elizabeth Woyke of Forbes.The report attracted 1,100 responses from people working at 'Global 2000' companies who travel and work remotely at least part of the time says IPass spokeswoman Kate Blatt. 37.2 percent of respondents sounded positive when asked whether they thought a device available today or in the next year could replace the laptop for general business use. The majority of those respondents believed the iPad or another tablet would take that spot. While nearly 6.4 percent thought a netbook or Smartbook would replace laptops, an even smaller 3.4 percent responded that this new all-purpose business device would be a Smartphone. The figures underpin other studies that point to speedy tablet adoption in the workplace. BoxTone, which fabricates software for managing corporate mobile services, lately conducted a survey in which nearly 40 percent of respondents estimated iPad ownership at their companies to increase 20 percent or more over the next year. More than 50 percent of those respondents also said they plan to release at least one iPad application in the next 12 months. The iPass figures may also reinforce theories about tablet sales cutting into those of laptops and netbooks - a subject matter that has attracted pervasive attention since more companies release tablets into the market. Another question in the survey also estimates the changing Smartphone preferences of business users. Nearly half (42.4 percent) answered that they would choose an iPhone when asked what type of phone people were likely to purchase once their current cell phone contracts expire. Handsets running Google's Android operating system were the second most popular choice with 23.8 percent. Research In Motion's BlackBerrys claimed support from only 19 percent of respondents. The responses back up recent reports about companies ranging from Dell to Bank of America to Citigroup replacing corporate-issued BlackBerrys with iPhones and Android phones.

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