You grown-ups may not give a fig for fruit-flavoured products, but it's clear youngsters love Apple. Respected US market research firm Nielsen asked a playground full of 6- to 12-year-olds what they want for Christmas, and Apple kit took the top three places on the list.

The most desired item by far is the iPad. Some 44 per cent of the 3000 US kids questioned in October expressed an interest in obtaining one.

In second place, named by 30 per cent of those surveyed, was the iPod Touch. The iPhone came third, picked by 27 per cent of nippers.

The good news for Android fans: other tablet computers came in joint fourth place, selected by 25 per cent of sprogs. Ditto a computer and a Nintendo 3DS.

Handheld consoles? The poor old PlayStation Portable was the least desired item, named by only ten per cent of kids. So was the PlayStation Move.

The Wii was only one percentage point ahead, chosen by 11 per cent. The Xbox 360 was wanted by 16 per cent, though Kinect was desired by 23 per cent of those questioned. Some 17 per cent of kids said they want a PS3.

E-book readers are not popular - 17 per cent want one. Only 19 per cent want a non-Apple smartphone.

Nielsen also asked older kids aged 13 and up, and they favour the iPad too. Around 24 per cent said they want one, while 18 per cent said they want a computer, 18 per cent an e-book reader, 17 per cent a TV and 17 per cent a non-Apple tablet.

Games consoles rate even less highly, but it's important to bear in mind that many of them - and those in the 6-12 group too - already own them.

Equally, a low score does not equate to 'everyone has one' - it's also a sign that the device and/or brand isn't seen as being desirable. ®