More great news -- moneywise, at least -- for Apple: price comparison shopping site, PriceGrabber (www.pricegrabber.com) has leased the results of its third winter holiday shopping survey, revealing consumers' expected shopping habits within the tech category this holiday season.

When consumers were asked whether they would rather receive a tablet computer or a laptop as a holiday gift this year, 59%indicated that they would rather receive a tablet. Seventy-one percent of shoppers also indicated that they believe tablet computers will replace e-readers as gifts this year. Conducted from Oct. 24 to Nov. 1, the survey includes responses from 1,475 U.S. online shopping consumers.

iPad and iPad mini top-ranked overall tablets


The power of the Apple brand is likely to remain in full force again this holiday season, especially with the launch of the iPad 4 and iPad mini. When consumers were asked which tablet they would prefer to receive as a gift this year (respondents could select as many choices as they liked), 63% said they preferred the iPad 3 or iPad 4 and 24% indicated the iPad mini. Twenty-two percent indicated they would like to receive the Samsung Galaxy Note Tab; 20% cited the Amazon Kindle Fire HD; and 13% said the Microsoft Surface tablet.

This was followed by 12% that selected the Google Nexus 7, 8% who said the Amazon Kindle Fire; another 8% that noted the Sony Tablet S. and 7% that selected the Toshiba Excite. Other tablets, such as the Barnes & Noble Nook HD tablet, ASUS Transformer Pad, Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2, Experia Tablet S, Acer Iconia Tab A110 and Best Buy's new Insignia Flex, ranked lower.

The iPad mini wins consumer vote in lower priced tablet category


When PriceGrabber survey respondents were asked to select all of the lower priced tablets they would be most likely to purchase as a holiday gift this year, the iPad mini came out on top with 45% of the vote. Twenty-seven percent of respondents selected the Amazon Kindle Fire HD, and the Google Nexus 7 and the Amazon Kindle Fire tied for third place both receiving 19%. Six percent of consumers selected both the Barnes & Noble Nook HD and the Barnes & Noble Nook HD+.

When the 45% of consumers that selected the iPad mini out of the lower priced tablet options, were asked why they would purchase that particular tablet as a gift this holiday season, 47% said because of its smaller size and portability. Thirty-eight percent of consumers cited its lower price point compared to the regular iPad, 35% said they love Apple products and always purchase the latest and greatest as gifts, and 33% indicated that it would make a great gift. Twenty-seven percent of respondents noted its lighter weight and 22% said that the overall price point is more affordable.

-- Dennis Sellers