Less Than 1 in 10 Consumers Interested in Buying a Budget Tablet PC

CAMBRIDGE, England, February 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

The latest poll results from Broadbandgenie.co.uk have revealed that just eight per cent of respondents intend to 'definitely' buy a budget tablet PC in 2012.

The poll asked, 'Will you buy a tablet or iPad in 2012?' Of more than 1,000 respondents, more than half either weren't interested at all or already owned a tablet PC. Some 16.5 per cent answered maybe, while 17.5 per cent intended to buy a top end tablet.

The result will be seen as another blow for makers of low-end Android tablets and cheaper models from other brands - particularly BlackBerry, which has just released an upgrade for its heavily discounted PlayBook tablet.

Broadband Genie editor Chris Marling commented: "We were quite surprised by the results at first, but in truth it makes sense when you put it in context of what's available out there for UK consumers right now.

"While American consumers are enjoying feature rich low-end tablets such as the Nook and the Kindle Fire, we're stuck with what are essentially over-priced, over-sized smartphones.

"While Apple is going great guns at the top-end with its iPads, very little is happening of interest at the budget price point as yet. While it's great to see the BlackBerry PlayBook finally getting an OS upgrade, it could be too little too late.

"We can only hope Mobile World Congress brings us some new tablet PCs we can actually get excited about, as the fact almost half of those polled who don't own a tablet said they were completely uninterested in buying one doesn't make good reading for the industry."

Results: Will you buy a tablet PC in 2012?

Yes, top end 17.5%; Yes, budget 8.5%; Maybe 16.5%; Definitely not 30%; Already own 27.5%

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Broadband Genie is the UK's leading independent broadband, mobile broadband and smartphone comparison website, providing consumers with an unbiased source of information on prices and contracts and allowing them to compare providers in an independent environment. Broadband Genie was launched in March 2004 as the first dedicated consumer comparison site for broadband, while Mobile Broadband Genie was the first independent mobile broadband comparison site, launched in October 2007. The sites were combined in 2010, with the addition of smartphone comparison. The site is one of the most popular in its field, regularly featuring in the national press. http://www.broadbandgenie.co.uk

2. All queries and interview requests should be directed to Chris Marling at Broadband Genie: chris.marling@genieventures.co.uk