The growth of tablets – particularly Apple’s iPad – is dampening consumer demand for low-cost netbooks. Only 14 percent of people planning to purchase a laptop in the next ninety days will pick a netbook – a 10-point drop from this summer, according to ChangeWave.
“The decline of Netbooks is attributable to a combination of factors including the end of the recession and the mounting penetration of Tablet computers – notably the Apple iPad,” said Paul Carton, Vice President of Research, Tuesday. The company’s October survey of more than 3,000 consumers also found plans to purchase a laptop remain flat at 8 percent while future desktop purchases grew by just one point to 6 percent, compared to August.
Compared to the lackluster demand for laptops and desktops, 26 percent of those surveyed said they plan to buy a tablet in the next 90 days. Apple will get 80 percent of the sales, with Research In Motion’s as-yet unreleased Playbook garnering the No. 2 spot at 8 percent. Just 3 percent of consumers expect to buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab, while 2 percent pointed to the HP Slate, according to the research.
ChangeWave described Apple’s tablet having “world class” ratings for consumer satisfaction. Almost three-quarters of iPad owners were “Very Satisfied” with the device, while another 23 percent were “Somewhat Satisfied.”
