• by Mark Walsh  @markfwal, December 21, 2011

As the iPad and Kindle Fire vie to be the season’s top stocking-stuffer, a new survey says shoppers are keeping an open mind when it comes to buying a tablet. While most tablet buyers in the last three months have opted for an iPad, only 16% entered the market fixed on getting the Apple tablet. That suggests an opening for competitors, especially Amazon, whose tablet is enjoying strong holiday sales.

The study by Maritz Research, says among those planning to buy a tablet in the next three months, 44% are committed but haven’t decided on a brand. Another 22% are looking to spend less than $250 (hello Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet), 13% are newcomers unfamiliar with tablet brands, and 21% really want an iPad.

The findings were based on interviews with 2,485 consumers, including about at third who bought a tablet in the last three months and two-thirds planning to do so in the next three months.