Deutsche Bank’s Chris Whitmore argues in an investment note that Apple’s expected use of the 64-bit A7 chip will make the iPad a much more appealing proposition for the enterprise market.

It should be noted, however, that one part of his equation – the Touch ID fingerprint sensor – may or may not make it into the iPad 5. We’ve heard conflicting rumors about this, claimed parts showing that appear to be the sensor in an iPad 5 casing on the one hand, with others claiming that Apple wants to retain Touch ID as a unique feature of the iPhone 5s for now.

The iPad has long been popular in the enterprise market, among large and small businesses alike, with Apple having made substantial in-roads into the sector. With the launch of iOS 7, Apple intensified its marketing efforts to businesses. If Whitmore is right that the A7 chip will add to demand, there will be some pleased-looking faces in Apple’s board-room and some worried-looking ones in Intel’s.

Via CNET