Immigrants Love Tablets, Especially IPad, Study Says

The report found that 13 percent of immigrants currently own a tablet, a figure that represents 5 million people out of approximately 38 million consumers. Among 11 ethnic groups, French Americans were the highest percentage of tablet owners, at 17 percent, followed by Mexican Americans, at 15 percent.

Meanwhile, Ghanaian Americans and Indian Americans top the list of respondents saying they are likely to purchase a tablet soon, at 62 percent and 58 percent, respectively.

The iPad was the tablet of choice across the board, as Apple captured a 66 percent share of current tablet owners. Just as many prospective buyers favor the iPad over the Amazon Kindle, its nearest competitor.

"We're witnessing a massive shift in technology brand affinity over the past decade," said Andres Bernstrom, Rebtel's chief executive. "Sony has been dethroned, and Apple has grabbed the reigns and held tight starting with the iPod moving forward."

By comparison, a recent Pew Internet and American Life Project study found far lower adoption rates of tablets among the general population -- just 4 percent of U.S. households own tablets and 5 percent e-readers in that survey.

It's not clear exactly why immigrants have gravitated toward tablets in greater proportion than average U.S. consumer, but this segment of the population leads in growth of total population. The percentage of native-born people in the country fell for fourth straight decade, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, with 12.5 percent of the population was born outside the U.S. in 2008.

So with this fast-growing segment of the population leading the way, tablets look to become part of everyday digital life in relatively short order.