More workers worldwide use a home computer than a computer provided by their employer. Many factors contribute to this. Only a portion of workers are in occupations that require computer use. Also, the rapid onset of the pandemic forced many workers to work remotely before their employers could respond by supplying an adequate set of technology products. So, many employees put their existing technology to work to get their jobs done remotely. While some employers embraced the practice of BYOD – bring your own device – others chose to supply workers with technology devices that would help support the employer’s confidential corporate information. Decisions about remote work policies and the subsequent provision of in-home technology are still evolving.
This MetaFAQs reports on the average (mean) number of home computers and work/self-employed computers in active use by workers in five countries: the US, UK, Germany, Japan, and China. Report [TUP_doc_2023_1223_hwpc] in TUP Lenses: PCs; Work/Life Balance
American and German household size associated with device newness
Americans and Germans in larger households tend to have newer devices than those in smaller households, a trend that has been forming since 2019. For example, the average age of an American adult’s primary device in households with four or more people is 1.7 years, a full year newer than the age in 2018. Similarly, among adults in larger households in Germany, the current device age is 1.9 years versus three years in 2018. There’s less difference in the UK, Japan, and China.
This MetaFAQ reports on the average (mean) age of the primary device in active use – smartphone, feature phone, computer, tablet, or game console. The averages are split by country and household size. Report [TUP_doc_2023_1222_famt] in TUP Lenses: Devices; User Profile; Households
Apple edge: loyal customers
Apple has attracted a substantial base of loyal and highly involved customers. One measure of any company’s most loyal customers is those with many devices within a given ecosystem. In Apple’s case, as with Microsoft Windows, or Google’s Android or ChromeOS, this measure is based on the number of Apple products they actively use, such as an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Apple’s technology ecosystem is one of Apple’s key differentiators, which promises to provide extra benefits to users of more than one Apple product. Potential benefits include smoother interoperability and a more consistent user experience. However, some market segments have limited control over the types of devices they use or they are using fewer devices in a quest for simplicity or economy.
This MetaFAQs reports on the number of online adults across five countries using two or more Apple devices: iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Report [TUP_doc_2023_1221_apl2] in TUP Lenses: Technology Ecosystems
More employees in larger companies use a work printer
Workers in smaller businesses are less likely to use a work printer than employees in larger firms. Worldwide, medium-sized firms have the highest rate of work printing, while in the US the rates are similar between medium-sized and large firms.
This MetaFAQ reports on the percentage of workers who actively use a work/self-employed printer, split by the size of the employer. Report [TUP_doc_2023_1220_wprt] in TUP Lenses: Printers; User Profile
Larger employers mean fewer remote workers
Larger employers mean fewer remote workers – Workers working for larger employers have lower chances of working remotely. Conversely, smaller companies are more likely to have employees working remotely at least some of the time. This relationship holds across all of the countries surveyed. One major contributor to this effect is that larger employers have a higher share of industries requiring in-person work, from retail to manufacturing.
This MetaFAQs reports on the percentage of employees who never work from home or remotely, split by country and their employer’s size in number of employees. Report [TUP_doc_2023_1219_nwfh] in TUP Lenses: User Profile; Work/Life Balance
Smartwatch valleys and peaks
Smartwatches are an important product category in their own right and also a barometer for a complete picture of the active breadth of technology ecosystems. Smartwatches, primarily from Apple or using the Android environment, form a sizable market share, in active use by one-ninth to one-fourth of online adults in the US, Germany, the UK, and Japan. Gen Z and millennial adults are leading their use. The Boomer/Silent generations have a small but quickly growing share. Looking ahead, purchase plans are not substantial, although they describe a reasonable replacement market.
This MetaFAQs reports on the market penetration of smartwatches, split by generational age group, Apple and Android, and country. Report [TUP_doc_2023_1218_wret] in TUP Lenses: Consumer Electronics; Technology Ecosystems; Wearables, Hearables, Listening, and Speaking
iPhones are strongest among younger adults in most countries
Apple’s continued emphasis on a youthful market continues to bear fruit. The highest penetration of Apple iPhones is among adults aged 18 to 24 across all countries surveyed. This is especially notable in Germany, where Google Android phones have dominated the market for many years. Conversely, iPhones have much lower penetration rates among adults aged 50 and up, except in the US, where rates among older adults are only somewhat lower than average.
This MetaFAQs reports on the percentage of online adults using an Apple iPhone split by age group and country. Report [TUP_doc_2023_1217_ipho] in TUP Lenses: Mobile Phones; User Profile; Technology Ecosystems
No generation is saving PCs
PC usage has declined substantially since 2017 based on the number of weekly hours users use computers. Although there has been a very slight uptick among adults in Japan and the UK, hours have dropped for most of the years from 2017 through 2023.
Millennials have maintained the highest hourly usage rates, with Gen X not far behind, although these generational groups have also substantially lowered their usage.
This MetaFAQ reports the average weekly hours online adults use PCs, including any home-owner, employer-provided, self-employer, public, or other computers for 2017 through 2023. The results are split by generational age group and country. Report [TUP_doc_2023_1217_milt] in TUP Lenses: PCs; User Profile
Generational insights into printer trends
The majority of online adults use a printer, regardless of their generational group. However, printer use has declined steadily since 2017, both in the percentage of adults regularly using a printer and in the average number of printers they use.
This MetaFAQs reports on the penetration rates and average number of printers used by online adults in the US, UK, Germany, Japan, and China, split by generational age group. Report [TUP_doc_2023_1215_prpt] in TUP Lenses: Printers; User Profile
Younger adults use recently acquired computers
In many countries, twice as many younger adults use a newer computer than older adults. This is more of a reflection of youthful enthusiasm and interest in newer technology than of the economic status of younger adults. In many countries, less than a sixth of online adults aged 50 and up use a computer acquired in the prior 12 months.
This MetaFAQs reports the percentage of online adults using a computer acquired in the previous 12 months, split by age group and country. Report [TUP_doc_2023_1215_yout] in TUP Lenses: Devices; PCs; User Profile