The iPad is popular, there’s no denying that.  Apple can’t keep the device in stock for very long, and designers are betting on luxe iPad accessories to stay modern.  It comes as no surprise then, that the iPad is seeing a huge amount of demand.

According to a study by Forrester, 14 percent of online shoppers plan on buying an iPad or similar tablet in the next year.  That essentially means they plan on buying iPads.  While Forrester asked “iPad or similar tablet,” only about 10 percent of those surveyed could name another tablet.  Of those 10 percent, few could identify a real competitor.  While some mentioned the Archos 7 or JooJoo tablets, some referred to the HP Slate,, or other devices which don’t yet truly exist on the consumer market. {Electronista}

The 14 percent that plan on buying a tablet in the next year exceed the percentages of those who would buy other “real” computers.  Four percent plan on buying desktop computer.  Only eight percent plan on buying a netbook within the next year.  The largest category aside from the iPad is notebooks.  Of those surveyed, 13 percent told Forrester that they plan on buying a notebook computer in the next year.  This falls in line with the shift to mobile computing that we’re seeing, even if that mobile computing is just a notebook.  Desktop computers are limiting in where they can go, even if they are better for photo editing, video editing and gaming.  For most computer usage, a notebook or even an iPad would suffice.

Well, my fellow greeniacs – why not let your environmental and ethical compass guide you? Check out this guide to buying eco-friendly laptops, and refer to our picks for the trendiest and greenest laptops you should be using in 2010.

Sony Vaio W, $450.

With a plastic casing made from recycled CDs, a carrying-case from old water bottles, and an exclusively digital manual, the Vaio W (premiered at CES 2010 last week) is a mini notebook with a lot of green power. The device has not only gotten high ratings from Energy Star 5.0 and EPEAT, but it also has a 10.1 inch LED screen (which uses less energy than an LCD screen) and 7 hours of battery life. At $450, this may not be a lap top for the technologically inclined, but it’s definitely a great fit for a person for whom portability, durability, and eco-friendliness are key.

Read More {CNet}
Read More {Ecofriend}
Read More {Inhabitat}
Read More {Sony}

Apple’s Macbook Air, $1,499.

An oldy, but a goody. The Macbook Air may have been on the scene since 2008, but it remains one of the few high-performance, environmentally sound laptops on the market. Rated as the Greenest Ultraportable by LapTop Mag, the Macbook Air not only offers all the goodies you except from an Apple computer, but it also has environmental chops to spare. It’s energy-efficient, it’s recyclable, it’s manufacturing is almost toxin-free, and…it’s a Mac. Enough said.

Read More {Apple}

Read More {LapTop}

Asus Bamboo Series, $999 (Rumored)

While Asus premiered a brand new, environmentally friendly laptop at CES this year… it was… well, it was hot pink.

And while we love our Barbie colors as much as the next gal, we’re still really digging the stylish sophistication and renewable nature of Asus’ Bamboo Series, which has now been amped up with Intel’s latest Core i5  processors. Plus, randomly enough, it’s the first netbook to “have survived the unforgiving conditions of snow-capped Qomolangma Peak, which stands at a staggering height of 8,848 meters (29,028 feet).” Yup, I’m a PC and I’m made from kick-ass, snow-defeating bamboo. Take that Mac.

Read More {Asus}

Read More {SlashGear}

Read More {Gadget}

Read More {3BL Media}

Toshiba Portégé M750, $1, 499

This one swivels. Cooooooool.

Ok, ok. Beyond its cool, swivveling netbook to tablet capabilities and an LED backlit display – this bad boy has its fair share of Eco-friendly badges of honor. Toshiba came in as the #3 Greenest Electronic Company of 2009 (according to Green Peace’s Rankings) – and the Portege is one of the companies eco-friendliest (reaching EPEAT’s Gold Standard). If you’re looking for the greenest tablet of the land – or just one which sounds more like a briefcase than a computer – look no further than the Portégé.

Read More {Toshiba}
Read More {GreenPeace}