A new survey from ChangeWave has suggested that consumer excitement about the new
Apple tablet PC may be harming existing
laptop sales, including those of Apple. The market research firm questioned 3,314 consumers about their technological purchases and potential purchases. 14 per cent said they were likely to buy the Apple tablet
computer when it is released, while 4 per cent said they were very likely to purchase it. 37 per cent said they would spend over $700 on such a purchase, while three quarters of respondents said they’d spend more than $500.
However, the number of respondents who had bought a new
desktop,
notebook or
netbook computer in the past 90 days fell considerably, while amongst those who had, the Apple
MacBook accounted for just 17 per cent, compared to 25 per cent in September.
The suggestion that consumers may be avoiding buying new
computers is contrary to current figures which indicate a end to 2009, with the launch of
Microsoft Windows 7 encouraging consumers to buy new
PCs .
The Apple tablet is expected to be unveiled at the Apple press event in San Francisco next Wednesday.