Tablet computers: The 'it' gift this Christmas

October 25, 2011: 12:46 PM ET
ipad-gift.ju.top.jpg

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Wishing for an iPad this Christmas? You are not alone.

Apple (AAPL, Fortune 500) iPads and other tablets are the most desired gadgets this holiday season, according to the Consumer Electronics Association's holiday purchase patterns study released Tuesday.

Tablet computers trail only clothes as the most wanted gifts overall, the CEA said. Notebook computers also rank high on Santa's list, followed by peace, happiness and money.

That marks a significant change from just last year, when peace and happiness took the top spot, followed by laptop computers, and tablets trailed at No. 3, according to the CEA.

Hottest holiday toys of 2011

Consumers plan to spend $769 on average on gifts this year, up slightly from last year, the CEA said. About a third of that will go toward electronics, an all-time high. Consumers will spend a record $243, on average, on electronics this holiday, up 5% from last year, according to the study.

A separate report by the National Retail Federation said holiday shoppers plan to spend $704.18 on average overall this holiday season, down slightly from last year's $718.98.

According to the NRF, 58% of shoppers say they'd most like to receive a gift card this holiday season. About half said they would also like to receive clothes and a little more than a third wished for consumer electronics or computer-related accessories.

The NRF did not include peace and happiness as a possible response.  To top of page

Most Popular
Fear of Iran is inflating gas prices
 
AT&T CEO pay docked $2 million for T-Mobile debacle
 
Economic optimism to boost stocks
 
Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights
 
Why your cell phone bill is going up
 
$34,000 in debt, wants to start a business

Michelle Heyward is generous but she needs to balance helping her family out with funding her goals to get out of debt and start her own business.

Nonprofit founders put passions ahead of planning

Scott Pankratz and Julie Osborn need to boost their stocks and savings to pay for half of their kids' college tuition.

Overnight Avg Rate Latest Change Last Week
30 yr fixed3.91%3.81%
15 yr fixed3.17%3.13%
5/1 ARM2.87%2.83%
30 yr refi3.98%3.89%
15 yr refi3.27%3.23%
Rate data provided
by Bankrate.com
View rates in your area
 
Find personalized rates:
Hot List
Push for online privacy bill of rights

A series of privacy debacles has Washington stepping up its oversight.  More

Rich walk away from million-dollar homes

America's wealthiest families are now losing their homes to foreclosure at a much faster rate -- many of them are doing so voluntarily.  More

Fear of Iran is inflating gas prices

Tensions over Iran's nuclear program are adding at least 30 cents a gallon to gasoline in a market that's not especially short-supplied. An attack could see gas prices above $5. More

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles join the Army

The United States Military has been testing the alternative fuel technology in Hawaii and it could one day play a role on the battlefield. More

Why your cell phone bill is going up

Cell phone bills are going up as a result of increased demand and a spectrum crunch that is limited the supply of wireless data bandwidth. More

CNNMoney Sponsors
Market indexes are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer LIBOR Warning: Neither BBA Enterprises Limited, nor the BBA LIBOR Contributor Banks, nor Reuters, can be held liable for any irregularity or inaccuracy of BBA LIBOR. Disclaimer. Morningstar: © 2012 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer The Dow Jones IndexesSM are proprietary to and distributed by Dow Jones & Company, Inc. and have been licensed for use. All content of the Dow Jones IndexesSM © 2012 is proprietary to Dow Jones & Company, Inc. Chicago Mercantile Association. The market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2012. All rights reserved. Most stock quote data provided by BATS.