The Next iPad Will Always Sell Better (Theoretically), Survey Indicates

J.D. Power and Associates has released the 2012 U.S. Tablet Satisfaction Study based on experiences reported by 1,985 tablet owners. Fielded in July 2012, the survey shows that Apple tablet owners are not only the most satisfied, but also more inclined to make their next tablet purchase with Apple.

J.D. Power’s inaugural Tablet Satisfaction Study found that tablet owners spend an average 7.5 hours per week doing stuff like web browsing, watching videos, listening to music, and reading books.

To carry out the same activities on a full-fledged computer, people spend an estimated 9.6 hours per week. In other words, tablets have changed the way we consume digital content.

And Apple ranks highest, the survey showed, achieving a score of 848. The iPad performs “well” in four key areas, according to J.D. Power: “performance; ease of operation; styling and design; and features.”

Following Apple in their footsteps is Amazon, with a score of 841 points. The Kindle makers perform “particularly well in the price factor,” says the J.D. power report.

Interesting to note is that, “those who spend three or more hours viewing video content are more likely to purchase another tablet from their current manufacturer in the future than are those who do not watch as much video content (90% vs. 81%, respectively),” says the report.

The association backs up its claims noting that the study measures tablet owner satisfaction among people who’ve had one for a while – less than two years.

Once the pool is selected, satisfaction is then measured across five key factors: performance (26%), ease of operation (22%), styling and design (19%), features (17%), and price (16%).

Dr. Uma S. Jha, senior director of mobile devices at J.D. Power and Associates, commented on the new findings, saying, “As tablet computing, multimedia, display, and application offerings continue to evolve, their impact on usage patterns will continue to grow.”

“Tablets are a force in the marketplace that offer a great alternative to laptops and netbooks,” said Dr. Jha.