iPad satisfaction hits 95% in October ChangeWave survey, up 4 pts. from May

Apple's "magical" device the first choice of 80% of respondents who plan to buy a tablet

Source: ChangeWave Research

The iPad, which scored a 91% satisfaction rating in ChangeWave's May survey, inched up another four points in results released Tuesday.

In this survey of 3,108 early adopter types, more of whom presumably own Apple's (AAPL) tablet computer than did six months ago, the "very satisfieds" were down 3 points to 71% and the "somewhat satisfieds" up 6 points to 23% -- ratings overall that ChangeWave research director Paul Carton described as "world class."

Asked if they planned to buy a tablet, an "extraordinary" 26% said they did, according to Carton, with 8% very likely and 18% somewhat.

"Not surprisingly," he writes, "Apple is the biggest beneficiary here – with four-in-five likely Tablet buyers (80%) saying they'll purchase an iPad."

Below: The dismal results for the also rans, most of which still haven't left the starting gate.

See also:

• Owners like their iPad. Demand grows.

[Follow Philip Elmer-DeWitt on Twitter @philiped]