51% Would Rather Have Laptop Instead of an iPad

The Apple iPad launches in the U.S. this Saturday. While the product will likely be a hit on the first day due to preorders that number in the hundreds of thousands, research firm NPD Group has taken a more analytical look thanks to a recent survey.

Some points from NPD's findings gleamed from the blog post:

·      Lots of people know about the iPad. 61 percent of 55–and-older consumers are aware of the product and more than 80 percent of consumers who know about the iPad owned another Apple branded product.

·      Most aware demographics: young people, $100k income earners, and current Apple product owners. More than one-third of those expressing interest in the iPad in both the 18-34 year old demographic and among Apple owners claimed they intended to purchase the device in the next six months. Among the high income earners intention to buy in the next six months was more than 50 percent.

·      18-34 year olds are approximately 50 percent more likely to own an iPod, an iPhone, or a Macbook.

·      Within the over $100k demographic there is almost 75 percent more likelihood to own an iPhone, or an iPod touch, and 50 percent more iPod ownership.

So the most enthusiastic of iPad consumers are those who are already owners of Apple products. That should be no surprise, but one other detail picked up by Electronista is that among 18-to-34 year olds, 51 percent would prefer a conventional notebook or netbook over the iPad; and 44 percent of existing Apple product owners would rather get a MacBook rather than an iPad.

Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam served as Tom's Hardware News Director during 2008-2014. He entered tech media in the late 90s and fondly remembers the days when an overclocked Celeron 300A and Voodoo2 SLI comprised a gaming rig with the ultimate street cred.
  • builderbobftw
    So 49% of people are insane.

    Got it.
    Reply
  • pawntec
    ipad=over sized iphone=overrated!!
    Reply
  • cheepstuff
    49% would rather an ipad?
    a third of that is still a good market share.
    Reply
  • XD_dued
    builderbobftwSo 49% of people are insane.Got it.
    Just about to say this myself lol. Anyways, as a giant ipod touch it lacks the portability of the ipod, but still is limited in ability by the iphone OS. Also, i'm still not a big fan of touch screen typing.
    Reply
  • nforce4max
    Hmmm lets see unable to replace the battery check, unable to use removable storage check, unable to use external mouse or keyboard when at the home or the office check,solely aimed at fan boys and girls check. All the makings of a fad product.
    Reply
  • matt87_50
    I can only see the ipad making sense for people who own or have access to like a family desktop, and don't own a smart phone. and even then, in many cases a netbook would be better, or even then, any other competing tablet would be better...

    it sickens me that people would just throw money at apple despite all this just because of the advertising.
    Reply
  • bogcotton
    I'd like to know where this survey was taken, because those are some very high percentages.

    61% of over 55s knowing about an unreleased apple product?
    Seems a bit like this was taken somewhere where people are tech-aware.
    Reply
  • captaincharisma
    hmm i thought the number would be higher. so i guess the other 49% make up the entire apple sheep population
    Reply
  • welshmousepk
    was this survey taken at the Apple HQ by any chance?
    Reply
  • hemelskonijn
    Lets ask people that already own a perfectly good and current laptop to chose between a free laptop or ipad and i bet you the results will be near to those mentioned.

    Since we dont know what the questions where and we dont know under what pretense the questions where asked the numbers mean jack shit.
    Reply