Small businesses eye more PC purchases

Small businesses may be opening up their purse strings when it comes to buying computer products, according to a new study conducted by Harris Interactive for Hewlett-Packard.

Nearly half of small-business owners surveyed said that now is a good time to invest in additional capital. Of those that plan to make purchases, 43 percent said they were somewhat or very likely to buy computers. The companies were mixed on the hiring front. A full 58 percent said now is a bad time to hire more workers. But they were optimistic about the future. A little more than half, or 56 percent, said they were somewhat or very likely to hire in the next six months.