New study looks at ‘International Digital Lifestyle’

Steve Jobs and Apple already knew it, but a Harris Interactive study backed by Microsoft and Dell found that 50 percent of respondents said the computer was more important than any other digital device they own, including CD players, cell phones and DVD players, as reported by CNET News .

The “2002 International Digital Lifestyle” study polled 1,500 people in the U.S. and Europe who own a computer and at least one other digital device (though no questions were asked about TV use). Such folks comprise a “prime target market” for consumer electronics makers.

Other findings of the “2002 International Digital Lifestyle” report:

Nearly one in three computer owners plan to buy another digital product during the holidays.

Among 35- to 49-year-olds, 48 percent said the computer was their most important electronic gadget; 44 percent of those over 50 said the same.

84 percent of U.S. respondents and 69 percent of Europeans surveyed said their computer “bolstered” their confidence in other technical products.

Many 18- to 34-year-olds said listening to music was the most important activity they used their computer for; people in the 35 to 49 age range more often cited job-related tasks; folks over 50 favored e-mail.

Approximately 61 percent of respondents aid connecting to the Internet was their most important task.