Apple has reclaimed the top spot as the highest ranked tablet manufacturer in J.D. Power’s latest U.S. tablet customer satisfaction study. Apple earned a 5-star rating, getting a score of 830/1,000. Apple edged out Samsung, who scored 822 for second place.
The survey of 2,513 tablet owners found that Apple led its competitors in four of the five measured categories, including performance, ease of operation, features and styling and design. Apple trailed only in cost, which isn’t surprising given the starting $299 price tag of Apple’s iPad lineup. Number two Samsung ranked above-average in features, styling and design, and cost.
Overall satisfaction among tablet owners is on the wane, dropping 18 points to 835 in 2014, down from a 2012 high of 853. Ease of Operation was the factor showing the largest drop in satisfaction, as tablets take longer to setup, and become more complicated to use.
The most important factor cited by participants when selecting a tablet was cost, followed by features and brand reputation.
