Tablets find favor among middle-aged women

A study from market analyst firm Maritz Research reveals that women in their 40s have grown especially fond of tablet computers, e-readers and other similar devices.

Conducted in November 2011, the survey of nearly 2,500 consumers breaks down potential tablet buyers into four categories: single-minded, tablet-committed, newcomer and low-end. Women represent more than half of the respondents in three of the categories, and of those, the average age represented is over 40 years old.

Many of these women are well off. According to the report, the average household income of the four groups is approximately 70,000. Low-end buyers -- 54 percent women, with an average age of 41 -- come from households with an average income of $62,000.

The survey also finds that 6.2 percent of respondents, both men and women, have purchased a tablet in the past three months -- many so for the holidays. An additional 6.8 percent plan to make a purchase within the next three months.

The relationship between tablets and gender was also explored in an August 2011 study by research firm Nielsen, which finds that the percentage of connected device owners who are women grew from 39 percent in the third quarter of 2010 to 43 percent in the second quarter of 2011.