A new survey from Retrevo finds that consumers’ interest in the Apple iPad died down after they heard what the new tablet PC actually had to offer. According to the company, “not only did Apple fail to convince new buyers, it may have lost many potential buyers who now say they don’t think they need an Apple tablet computer.” Ouch!
While it’s true that the poll results do support these findings, they contradict what tech analysts have been saying about the device’s potential. With sales expectations that range anywhere from 1 million to 6 million units over the course of this year, the iPad is predicted to do quite well. So is the survey wrong? Or is it the analysts?
iPad Reality Disappoints?
The Apple iPad has the dubious glory of being one of the most over-hyped, hotly anticipated tech products of the year. Rumors surrounding the device prior to its launch had the tablet computer offering everything from OLED to multiple cameras to an innovative multi-touch enabled back. The reality was a much simpler device that looked more like a big iPod than the revolutionary product so many had built up in their minds.
But will this let-down in expectations actually lead to fewer sales? If you believe the Retrevo survey, that could easily be the case. The percentage of consumers who had heard about the iPad but were not interested in buying one jumped from 26% prior to Apple’s announcement to 52% afterwards. Also, people who claimed they don’t need an iPad went from 49% to 61%. That certainly sounds like bad news for Apple, doesn’t it?
Survey Says: Marketing Stunt!
Well not so fast. Let’s keep in mind that Retrevo likes to put out these sorts of link-baiting surveys from time to time. For example, a prior survey found that iPhone owners were materialistic and fickle people. (Who couldn’t write about that?) We probably should just ignore these publicity stunts… err… surveys, but this one was begging to be shot down… or shored up, we suppose. After all, their survey phrases questions in a way that almost guarantees a negative response. Case in point: “do you need an iPad?” No one really needs an iPad. Not surprisingly, many people said “no.” We need water, food, shelter and clothing. Once our basic needs are met, we then focus on obtaining other “needs” like a job, a car, an education, etc. The iPad, however, is something we want. We already have a computer. Maybe even a computer, a netbook and an iPod or iPhone. We can’t in all honesty say we need an iPad. It may seem like a simple turn of phrase, but when crafting survey questions, word choice is important.
Will You Buy an iPad?
So instead of going by Retrevo’s findings, we’ll ask you instead. Will you buy the iPad? Will you rush right out and get one as soon as it hits store shelves? Or will you wait patiently for iPad 2.0? Or are you not interested at all? Now’s your chance to weigh in and prove Retrevo’s numbers wrong… or right, as the case may be. Just answer the question in the poll below:
