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52% of consumers would buy iPad over rivals due to brand awareness

But over a third could be tempted away by cheaper alternatives

52% of consumers would buy iPad over rivals due to brand awareness
Apple's dominance in the tablet market might currently seem unassailable, but by going first, the firm has set a technical benchmark its rivals will be all to eager to surpass.

That's the argument voucher specialist VoucherCodes.co.uk makes in its summation of a survey of 3,000 consumers regarding their thoughts on the tablet market.

It's a survey that suggests that the strength of Apple's brand is, more than anything, the main reason consumers are flocking to iPad, but one that also claims the firm could lose major market share if its rivals slash their prices.

Brand basics

As such, the headline figure that 52 percent of those surveyed would consider buying an iPad based on their experiences with the Apple brand alone is no big surprise.

Most worrying for Apple's competitors, however, is just how behind the rest of the market is.

Ranging from Dell's total of 11 percent to LG's 4 percent, the rest of the pack – RIM, Samsung, Microsoft and HP all included - appear to have only a smidgen of the brand awareness Apple can currently boast, making picking a direct challenger to iPad's business a tricky task.



That said, given Samsung, Dell and HP are the only OEMs currently to offer tablets of their own, it's no shock that none of Apple's rivals have made any great impression to date.

Gag on gamesA supposed lack of Android awareness will be of equal concern. VoucherCodes.co.uk's findings claim 37 percent of those questioned had heard of Android Market, compared to the 74 percent who are aware of Apple's App Store.

However, even though much of the survey suggests any current iPad challengers are doomed to failure, there are two lights at the end of the tunnel.

One discounts one of Apple's greatest advantages – its games.

Surveyed across age ranges, gaming appears to be of little concern when consumers go to buy a tablet, between 12 and 21 percent of those asked naming it as a priority.



Also, it appears any supposed loyalty to iPad can be bought through price cuts.

VoucherCodes.co.uk claims the findings suggest a saving of $160 would be enough for more than a third to skip iPad in favour of one of its competitors.

You can browse the results of the survey in full over at VoucherCodes.co.uk.

With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.