Consumers Much More Interested in Tablets Than Laptops

When asked whether they would prefer a laptop computer or a tablet computer this holiday season, nearly 80 percent answered the latter. That's according to a survey released this week by PriceGrabber.

Respondents cited a variety of reasons for preferring tablets, from portability to convenience to light weight.

In terms of which tablet consumers wanted, 83 percent answered the Apple iPad, with Amazon's Kindle Fire placing a distant second with 5 percent, Samsung's Galaxy Tab with 4 percent and HP's discontinued TouchPad with 2 percent. The iPad was also named the top Ereader.

“Apple has experienced enormous success with its groundbreaking iPad, and our survey data confirms that enthusiasm for the brand will likely remain during the 2011 holiday shopping season,” Graham Jones, general manager of PriceGrabber, said as part of the announcement.

“We expect that tablets, such as the iPad, will be a clear gift choice for many multitasking, budget-conscious consumers looking for an efficient and convenient computer at a relatively reasonable price.”