Owners of hi-tech devices in the United States and Europe will buy a lot of digital devices this holiday season, according to a Harris Interactive poll sponsored by Dell Computer and Microsoft.
The 2002 International Digital Lifestyle Study surveyed 1,500 computer and digital technology owners 18 and older in August and September. One thousand were from the United States, with 100 each from France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom.
Almost 70 percent of U.S. computer owners and 52 percent of European computer owners say they are likely to buy a new digital technology product during the holiday season.
The poll also found that 50 percent of U.S. computer owners spend more than six hours weekly online and 28 percent spend more than 11 hours weekly online, excluding time spent sending e-mail.
Half of U.S. computer owners and 41 percent of European computer owners rated the computer as the most important piece of technology in their home. Younger respondents predictably gave the most importance to the computer. Fifty-seven percent of Americans ages 18-34 rated the computer as most important, compared with 48 percent of those 35-49 and 44 percent of those older than 50.
