Nielsen: PCs More Desired than Consoles, iPads by Those Over 13

A new survey from the market research company Nielsen has revealed that among those children over the age of 13 the most interesting purchase for the next 6 months is a new computer, with the iPad from Apple in fourth place but more interesting than traditional mobile and handheld gaming consoles.

The survey was conducted among a sample of the general population in the United States during October 2010 and also included a separate desire chart for those who are between 6 and 12.

Among those over 13 a personal computer is the most attractive purchase, beating out the television set in second place and a new smart phone which is not made by Apple in third.

18 percent of those surveyed are interested in an iPad which edges out those who would like to get a Nintendo Wii, standing on 15%.

13 percent are interested in getting a PlayStation 3 in the next six months, with 9% ready to also drop the money needed to get the Move motion tracking system.

Over on the Microsoft front 9% are interested in getting a Xbox 360 and one percent less are also looking into buying a Kinect add on.

The current Nintendo DS family sits at 8 percent while the upcoming 3DS, the device which introduces three dimensional gaming without glasses, is at 6.

Only the PlayStation Portable is less interesting to potential buyers with the age over 13.

For those under 12 the iPhone is much more interesting and sits just ahead of the various Nintendo DS devices, which also have better percentages than in the over 13 age group.

Interestingly the PlayStation 3 and the Move are again ahead of the Xbox 360 and the Kinect but with wider margins among younger customers.

The Kinect is also more attractive than the console it works with, which could suggest that the Xbox 360 will no longer move the same amount of consoles it managed in October.