Kaufman Bros. analyst Shaw Wu has issued a note to clients, signaling that Apple has reportedly purchased a number of screens ranging from 4 inches to 12 inches in size “as it explores its possible entry into the tablet and sub-notebook market,” an AppleInsider report reveals.

The research note, issued Tuesday, claims that the Mac maker has bought screens in sizes of 4, 7, 9, 10 and 12 inches over the last two years, Kaufman Bros. reveals, with some of the purchases being so large “that the firm suspects they were for more than a simple sample, but a more significant small production run,” the report outlines. “Based on that information, the analysis predicts that Apple will launch at least one – but possibly multiple – new devices in the near future,” Kaufman Bros. believes, according to the Apple-focused site.

“We are under the impression that these screens could be used in new form factors including a sub-notebook and/or tablet, and would more likely launch in 2010 as opposed to 2009,” the note reads. “As usual, exact timing is always tough to pinpoint as Apple works on its own schedule.” Wu also says he expects the new form factor to help boost Apple’s shares, with the firm setting a price target of $184 for AAPL stock. Kaufman Bros. has tagged Apple’s stock as a buy.

The news comes on the heels of another analyst's bold claims that, not only is Apple gearing up for the release of a tablet device, but also that he has had a hands-on experience with a prototype. A Barron’s report citing a “veteran analyst” says that Apple’s rumored tablet device is real. Moreover, ODMs in Asia are allegedly holding off the release of their own devices until Apple makes a move. This analyst, however, asserts that Apple’s next-gen portable gizmo could hit the market as soon as November.