By Paul Hayes
SYDNEY, NSW: On the same day Australia’s Consumer Sentiment Index fell by 5.7 per cent, new research conducted by Microsoft has revealed that more than 60 per cent of Australians are planning to spend their tax refunds on new technology equipment.
Released this morning, Microsoft’s ‘Tax Time’ survey of 1,000 Australians, conducted in May, revealed that a new laptop was the most popular choice of new device with 70 per cent of respondents, followed by desktop PCs, mobile phones and TVs.
Close to two thirds of respondents said they will spend $1,000 or more this financial year on a new PC, netbook or notebook, said Microsoft.
When it comes time to actually go and make their tax time purchase, 32 per cent of consumers said they plan to head to traditional bricks-and-mortar retailers such as Harvey Norman, Dick Smith and JB Hi-Fi, while only 11 per cent said they would shop online.
“Consumers should take advantage of the massive retail offers available at tax time,” said national business manager, computers and communication at Harvey Norman, Ben McIntosh.
The survey found that functionality is the most important factor for 81 per cent of respondents when looking at a new laptop or PC, followed by value for money (75 per cent), ease of use (64 per cent) and compatibility (56 per cent).