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MyType study: iPad owners are 'selfish elites'

By | July 28, 2010, 4:53am PDT

Summary: The majority of iPad owners are “selfish elites,” and the ones that criticize them are just “independent geeks” - according to a recent study by research firm MyType.

The majority of iPad owners are “selfish elites,” and the ones that criticize them are just “independent geeks” - according to a recent study by research firm MyType.

Naturally, with findings like those, the study has gained some attention around the Interwebs. Apple’s shiny slate might be selling like hot cakes, but there are certainly plenty of haters and then those who are just not interested whatsoever.

Basically, MyType surveyed over 20,000 Facebook users about the iPad to “reveal the personality traits, values, demographics and interests that drive differences in opinion about the new tablet computer.”

One chart represents U.S. consumers between the ages of 13 and 49 that participated, and here’s a glance at some of the most interesting results:

  • 54% of study participants aren’t interested in the iPad
  • 11% think the iPad is a “silly product”
  • 3% have bought or will buy an iPad

Then the study honed in on the owners and the critics. Based on their responses, iPad owners are described to be “wealthy, highly educated and sophisticated,” but they are also “selfish” and “value power.” Ouch. The iPad isn’t a cheap gadget and it is rather fancy, but selfish might be harsh for blanket term.

The critics don’t get off the hook either, as they are found to be ”interested in video games, computers, electronics, science and the Internet,” while they also “prize self-direction” and “shun conformity.” iPad critics are also typically Linux users. (They wouldn’t be Mac owners, of course!)

Do you find yourself falling into any of the categories that MyType outlined? Or do you find the study to be off base?

[Graph via MyType]

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Rachel King is a staff writer for ZDNet based in San Francisco.

Disclosure

Rachel King

Rachel King has no business relationships, affiliations, investments, or other potential conflicts of interest relating to the content posted in this blog.

Biography

Rachel King

Rachel King is a staff writer for CBS Interactive in San Francisco. Before serving as a contributing editor at ZDNet in New York City for two years, she previously worked for The Business Insider, FastCompany.com, CNN's San Francisco bureau and the U.S. Department of State. Rachel has also written for MainStreet.com, Irish America Magazine and the New York Daily News, among others. Rachel has a B.A. in Mass Communications and History from the University of California, Berkeley and a M.S. in Journalism from Columbia University, where she served as art director for the student magazine, Plated.

Talkback Most Recent of 32 Talkback(s)

  • Yeah, iPad sucks!
    Yeah, iPad sucks! As does all Apple's and Microsoft's.

    PS. I could of course ellaborate more why it sucks, but as you would automatically persive me to belong to the Geeks category based on my username, why bother...
    ZDNet Gravatar
    linuxoid
    28th Jul 2010
  • RE: MyType study: iPad owners are 'selfish elites'
    @linuxoid

    No, we'd "persive" you to be a semi-literate boor just because.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    credulousDolt
    28th Jul 2010
  • ZDNet Gravatar
    smartin007
    28th Jul 2010
  • RE: MyType study: iPad owners are 'selfish elites'
    @linuxoid
    Ye's Ipad's definitely suck's
    All who belong's in Geek's category percive's thi's so why bother...
    ZDNet Gravatar
    DeusXMachina
    28th Jul 2010
  • RE: MyType study: iPad owners are 'selfish elites'
    @linuxoid

    No, I have no doubt you're not a geek. Geeks can spell and properly use grammar. As to, "why bother?" Bother because it proves you actually can and are not the script kiddie you appear to be.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    spookyone1
    12th Sep 2010
  • I figured more homeless people would buy them.
    The average iPad owner is ?wealthy, highly educated and sophisticated,?? Duhh.

    I don't think the minimum wage employee with a high school degree living with a room-mate is going to drop the money on a electronic accessory that makes getting email, web, books and such on the go easier and more convenient.

    The geek crowd? They think anything you don't compile yourself is worthless.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    Bruizer
    28th Jul 2010
  • RE: MyType study: iPad owners are 'selfish elites'
    @Bruizer "anything you don't compile yourself is worthless."

    Damn straight! happy
    ZDNet Gravatar
    Bruce Walker
    28th Jul 2010
  • RE: MyType study: iPad owners are 'selfish elites'
    @Bruizer I don't think the minimum wage employee with a high school degree living with a room-mate is going to drop the money on a electronic accessory that makes getting email, web, books and such on the go easier and more convenient.

    Actually, I know a couple who did... go figure.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    Badgered
    28th Jul 2010
  • RE: MyType study: iPad owners are 'selfish elites'
    @Bruizer
    I suspect Rent-a-center is going to do quite well with iPad rentals, actually! (Poor people being selfish elites and all.)
    ZDNet Gravatar
    DeusXMachina
    28th Jul 2010
  • RE: MyType study: iPad owners are 'selfish elites'
    @Bruizer
    A degree that is not used or useless is just as bad as not having one! FYI not every high school graduate works a minimum wage job. Guess what? I did not have to get a college degree to figure that out. Go figure!!
    ZDNet Gravatar
    windozefreak
    28th Jul 2010
  • Flawed Research to Get Headlines Yet Again!
    Good researchers work very hard to make sure the people they survey are representative of the overall population. This survey may be accurate FOR FACEBOOK USERS but is not representative of the overall population because FaceBook users are not representative of the overall popultion.

    Studies like these give market research professionals a bad name.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    HiTech Marketer
    28th Jul 2010
  • However...
    You have to realize that zdnet isn't in the business of doing properly constructed and carried out surveys. They copy/paste sensationalize and go for page hits.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    zkiwi
    30th Jul 2010
  • RE: MyType study: iPad owners are 'selfish elites'
    It is best to think of Ipad users as users that are willing to adopt to the life style prescribed for them by Steve Jobs-the "iLife" life style. It involves elitist whining and boasting at the same time. These users are conditioned not to question their relationship with Apple and its products and they are also required to denigrate those that don't share their appreciation of such products. They consider the "regimented pseudo-deco" aesthetics of Apple products to be high art and don't question the sterility of the design. They whine a lot about other non Apple ware users because they can not understand why such "wonderful," "magical," and "revolutionary" products are not appreciated by everyone.

    It is amazing that a man who did not go to business school has created a modern marketing system that involves this level of conditioning. Couple that with the fact that Apple is a corporate entity that is very unique in provinding easily consumable products for its clients. It is a company tha is highly atuned to its clients' needs and it is very aware of the details that go into making its consumers happy. It reflects the character and nervous flaw of its leader and one has to wonder what will happen when Steve Jobs is not there anymore. There is no doubt that Apple, its products, and Steve Jobs are unique; but the worshiping of both by unquestioning devotees can only be accomplished by this type of arrogant marketing conditioning-thus the prescribed life style.
    Those on the other side are simply consumers that can not fit into the uppity, uptight, and snubish requirements that Apple puts up front for anyone willing to "rent" its products.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    fuzzlogue
    28th Jul 2010
  • RE: MyType study: iPad owners are 'selfish elites'
    @fuzzlogue
    The only one whining here is, um, you. In addition, since the VAST majority of iPad owners are NOT mac users, what is your point?
    ZDNet Gravatar
    DeusXMachina
    28th Jul 2010
  • Oh boo hoo.. Oh you are so sad.
    @fuzzlogue

    What a lot of words for a black and black pot to call a ketel black.

    Do you need some cheese to go with your whine?
    ZDNet Gravatar
    Bruizer
    28th Jul 2010

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