It appears Dell has lost its multi-year edge on Apple as US consumers' most-desired desktop computer brand. Apple also beats out Roku for streaming media devices and Samsung for smartphones. December 4, 2013 3:46 PM PST Apple's iMac all-in-one desktop. (Credit: CBS Interactive) Apple has long been the most-desired brand for tablets, smartphones, MP3 players, and streaming media devices on US shoppers' holiday lists. And, for the first time, Apple also got ranked as the top brand for desktops this year, according to data from market researcher Parks Associates. "Apple topped the list of intended brands for desktop purchases for the first time this year," Parks Associates director of consumer analytics John Barrett said in a statement. "In 2011 and 2012, Dell was the top desktop brand, but Apple has displaced it, making Apple now the most popular brand across even more key CE categories." Steadily moving up the list for desktop brands, Apple was in third place in 2011. In 2012, it displaced HP for second place; and now, it has conquered Dell for first place. Parks Associates got its data for this year's most-desired brands from a national survey of 2,500 households in this year's fourth quarter. Related stories Tablets to carve out nearly half of PC market next year Vanatoo's mighty mini speakers deliver a knockout punch Sony's affordable tabletop 'hi-fi' system Waze finally shows up in desktop Google Maps Get a Dell 17-inch Haswell laptop for $399.99 For streaming media devices, Apple TV has held the top spot for the last three years. But, Parks Associates noted that while most shoppers say they want an Apple TV, many end up buying a Roku box instead. Last year, 34 percent of shoppers aged 18 to 34 said they planned to buy an Apple TV, and 15 percent said they planned to buy a Roku. In a later survey of actual purchases, Parks Associates found 24 percent bought an Apple TV and 29 percent bought a Roku. It's possible the same could happen with desktop computers -- people say they want Apple, but end up buying Dell. "Being the 'preferred' brand is certainly an advantage, but consumers can still change their minds," Barrett said. Other brands that topped shoppers' most-desired list were Sony's Play Station 4 for gaming consoles, Amazon's Kindle for e-readers, and Samsung for flat panel TVs. (Credit: Parks Associates)
It appears Dell has lost its multi-year edge on Apple as US consumers' most-desired desktop computer brand. Apple also beats out Roku for streaming media devices and Samsung for smartphones.
Apple's iMac all-in-one desktop.
(Credit: CBS Interactive)
Apple has long been the most-desired brand for tablets, smartphones, MP3 players, and streaming media devices on US shoppers' holiday lists. And, for the first time, Apple also got ranked as the top brand for desktops this year, according to data from market researcher Parks Associates.
"Apple topped the list of intended brands for desktop purchases for the first time this year," Parks Associates director of consumer analytics John Barrett said in a statement. "In 2011 and 2012, Dell was the top desktop brand, but Apple has displaced it, making Apple now the most popular brand across even more key CE categories."
Steadily moving up the list for desktop brands, Apple was in third place in 2011. In 2012, it displaced HP for second place; and now, it has conquered Dell for first place. Parks Associates got its data for this year's most-desired brands from a national survey of 2,500 households in this year's fourth quarter.
Related stories
- Tablets to carve out nearly half of PC market next year
- Vanatoo's mighty mini speakers deliver a knockout punch
- Sony's affordable tabletop 'hi-fi' system
- Waze finally shows up in desktop Google Maps
- Get a Dell 17-inch Haswell laptop for $399.99
For streaming media devices, Apple TV has held the top spot for the last three years. But, Parks Associates noted that while most shoppers say they want an Apple TV, many end up buying a Roku box instead. Last year, 34 percent of shoppers aged 18 to 34 said they planned to buy an Apple TV, and 15 percent said they planned to buy a Roku. In a later survey of actual purchases, Parks Associates found 24 percent bought an Apple TV and 29 percent bought a Roku.
It's possible the same could happen with desktop computers -- people say they want Apple, but end up buying Dell.
"Being the 'preferred' brand is certainly an advantage, but consumers can still change their minds," Barrett said.
Other brands that topped shoppers' most-desired list were Sony's Play Station 4 for gaming consoles, Amazon's Kindle for e-readers, and Samsung for flat panel TVs.
