Apple's products are a constant must-have...

Aug 17, 2007 10:29 GMT  ·  By

Apple has always inspired strong rand loyalty with its Mac computers, but its latest products have expanded the love for the company well beyond its computers. Amongst the teen population is Apple is consistently the top brand, and the company's latest product is only making them more popular.

The iPod was an undeniably hot product. The N, Viacom's teen network, found out that iPod emerged as the brand that is 'absolutely essential to teens.' Research by the consulting firm the Keller Fay Group confirmed that the product teens talk to each other about most is the iPod. Another survey conducted by Piper Jaffray found that 78% of high school students own a portable media player and that of those students, 82% own an iPod. But as hot as the iPod might have been amongst teens, the iPhone is even hotter.

Amazingly, a survey conducted by Autoblog saw teens placing the iPhone higher than a car on a list of what they wanted most. Of the teens surveyed by Piper Jaffray, 25% said they're willing to shell out $500 for one of the music-playing handsets. In just a few years Apple has managed to go from the company that makes the computers used in some schools to the company that makes products that make you look cool. The company's popularity is truly a force to be reckoned with and the envy of all other brands that will likely never replicate Apple's brand awareness and loyalty amongst teens and young adults.

But Apple's success with teens is much more than a popularity story. As the years pass and this generation gains more and more buying power Apple stands to see a significant swing in market share. As the preference for Apple products is not going to suddenly disappear overnight customers won't be total strangers to the company's platform and products.