Is Apple Losing Its "Cool"? Survey Says Yes

There was a time not too long ago when the perception amongst many young computer users that only old people, stiffs, rubes, and nerds owned non-Apple products; the iPod trumped the Zune, MacBooks became something of a cool-kid status symbol, and the iPhone was--well, no other phone would do.

At some point along the way that’s changed, at least according to a survey from YouGov. Its BrandIndex survey indicates that Apple’s popular perception among the 18-34 demographic has dipped somewhat--actually, it’s been sliding fairly steadily downward--since 2008. Right around September 2011, however, positivity towards the Cupertino company rose among users aged 35 years+, for the first time at a rate above that of the younger group.

Thus, is the survey is to be believed, older people worldwide like Apple products more than younger people.


Source: YouGov

The BrandIndex survey, it should be said, isn’t especially comprehensive or academic; the site asked the following question to adults and then filtered the results by age: “If you've heard anything about the brand [meaning Apple] in the last two weeks, through advertising, news or word of mouth, was it positive or negative?”

Regardless, the survey raises interesting questions. Perhaps college kids and younger adults are tech-savvy enough to shop around for devices and computers that fit their specific needs best; maybe the cost of Apple products is causing younger adults--who are often struggling to find jobs and establish careers in a dismal job market and economy--to go for computer gear that costs less; or it could simply be that competing products have caught up to Apple in terms of quality and cool (perceived or otherwise).
Tags:  Apple, Survey, Misc