Apple vs. Microsoft: Apple Sells More iPads than Microsoft's Surface Tablets; Wins Black Friday 2012 Sales at Mall of America - Report

Black Friday customers preferred Apple over Microsoft, according to new research numbers.

Based on findings conducted by Piper Jaffray, there was 47 percent less people at the Microsoft store than the Apple store at the Mall of American stores in Minneapolis.

In addition, shoppers up 17 items were purchased at the Apple Store compared to the 3.5 items per hour at the Microsoft Store. The items purchased included 11 iPads per hour compared to zero in two hours for the Microsoft Surface tablet.

It isn't all good news for the Apple brand, as the number of Mac and iPad sales were down from 2011.

"The positive take away was store traffic was up 31 percent y/y, likely driven by shoppers wanting to see the new iPad Mini," according to Piper Jaffray. "The negatives were that the most popular iPad Mini (16G) is in limited supply and Mac sales (~12 percent of revenue) continue to appear to be impacted by the iPad and a slowdown ahead of the new iMac."

In comparison, 14.8 iPads were sold every hour in 2011, compared to the 6.7 iPads this year. The iPad numbers are different from the iPad Mini numbers, which were reportedly in limited supply. The Mac computers were also significantly down compared to last year with 10.1 items per hour being sold in 2011 compared to just 3.9 items in 2012.

The study led by Gene Munster is conducted annually for the last five years, according to Fortune.

For the Microsoft Surface tablet drop test, click here.

For the Microsoft Surface specs and definitions, click here.

For the iPad Mini vs. Microsoft Surface specs, click here.