One in 10 single men would rather own an iPad 3 - the new iPad - than a new partner, according to a poll.

The poll found that 11 percent of bachelors would rather own the new iPad rather than find a love interest. Three percent were also prepared to leave a partner if offered the tablet, a poll of 600 people at online casino RoxyPalace.com found.

Women were found to be opposite: 84 percent preferred a new partner over the new iPad.

Under half of the users polled - 44 percent - had used an app to resolve a relationship problem, and 15 percent consulted the Internet for relationship advice. Only four percent preferred a non-iPad tablet to a new partner, indicating the lust for Apple's devices. The new iPad sold three million units during its first weekend on sale, which was released March 16 in the U.S. market.

"There has been a huge amount of hype surrounding the iPad 3 and for many it's the ultimate gadget. But instead of simply giving up their hard-earned cash it seems some men would be happy to remain on the shelf if it meant taking one home with them. The Apple product has a wide variety of functions but even the latest version can't offer some of the things a new romance can, but it seems many males are happy to forego this," a RoxyPalace spokesman said.

The poll revealed that the tablet could help in building new relationships, with nearly three quarters - 71 percent - saying Facetime is the preferred option to talk with a prospective partner before meeting them.

"Many women joke about becoming football widows when the season is in full swing but it seems some men are willing to take things a step further and are happy to steer clear of relationships all together to spend more time with their beloved toy.

"Women were found to be much more sociable than men, with only with a small percentage willing to put their life on hold to get the new iPad," the spokesman added.

(reported by Jonathan Charles, edited by Dave Clark)