Tablet computers may become a valuable presentation tool for IT contractors, it has been claimed.

Research from IT analysis firm Gartner suggests that professionals find the iPad much less intrusive in a meeting environment than a traditional notebook.

This makes it well suited to a sales or information-sharing meeting, the group claims, which could benefit IT contractors in the negotiation stage of securing a work placement.

Stuart Miles, owner and editor of gadget news site Pocket-lint, said that although iPads will make an excellent presentation tool, they will not replace the mobile handset as an on-the-go office tool.

"You're unlikely to have an enterprise user buying a tablet … to use as a way for him to stay connected, because he or she will just use a smartphone," he said.

Market intelligence company ABI Research suggested recently that the iPad is being prepared for widespread business use by enterprise suppliers.