US Consumers More than Twice as Likely to Buy Portable Computers as Desktops in the Next Six Months: ABI Research Survey

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--How have US consumers’ attitudes and preferences changed when they shop for computers? What do they look for in a new computer, and what drives their buying decisions? To find out, ABI Research conducted a survey of 2000 US consumers in August, 2010.

“Consumer Technology Barometer: Home Computing (Q3 2010)”

It revealed that while desktops are the most common type of computer in consumers’ homes, consumers are more than twice as likely (35%) to buy laptops, netbooks, or media tablets than desktops in the next six months.

The survey shows changing attitudes across all classes of computing devices. Industry analyst Michael Inouye says, “What somewhat surprised us was that while price is still important – in fact the single most important characteristic for laptops – in other computer types features such as processor speed, screen resolution, and memory, were considered more important. Consumers have a price-range expectation and within that range they look for certain features and specifications.”

Price remains the most important criterion for laptops because most new laptops purchased at retail will perform most functions that a typical user wants so price is seen as critical.

But for desktops, which are often priced lower (per spec) than laptops, respondents picked processor speed, memory, and storage capacity above price. Consumers perceive these computers as offering processing power and plenty of storage, perhaps acting as the central hub for a digital library.

Primary research director Janet Wise adds, “In netbooks, much media attention has been devoted to the processors because this often has an impact on users’ experience. So the majority of consumers cite processor speed as a netbook’s most important feature. As well as a definite shift to laptops, there is greater overlap between netbook and laptop segments.”

Cost figures even further down the list of important criteria for media tablets, outranked by processor speed, screen resolution, memory, screen size, storage and operating system.

ABI Research’s “Consumer Technology Barometer: Home Computing (Q3 2010)” (http://www.abiresearch.com/research/1006392) is a primary research-based tracking study that provides insight into the US consumers’ attitudes, awareness, usage patterns, purchase intentions and purchasing criteria for desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and netbooks.

It is included in the firm’s Digital Living Research Service (http://www.abiresearch.com/products/service/Digital_Living_Research_Service).

ABI Research provides in-depth analysis and quantitative forecasting of trends in global connectivity and other emerging technologies. From offices in North America, Europe and Asia, ABI Research’s worldwide team of experts advises thousands of decision makers through 30+ research and advisory services. Est. 1990. For more information visit www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.