As economic shifts, supply chain issues, and the effects of the pandemic linger, Americans continue to express their interest in technology products. However, their current purchase plans are all over the map, with several vital products experiencing a collapse in buyer interest. Tablets and smartwatches are looking up, printers down, and wireless item trackers are flat as consumers reel through their ups and downs.
This MetaFAQs reports on the purchase plans of online Americans for a smartwatch, printer, smartphone (iPhone or Android), wireless item tracker, home computer, fitness tracker, or tablet. The analysis splits 1st-time buyers from repeat buyers while also reporting on the number of current users without plans and those out of the market.
Windows PC usage & plans by socioeconomic groups
Windows PCs have declined in use during the pandemic, especially among traditionally disadvantaged groups of Americans. No traditionally disadvantaged groups have higher market penetration rates than those historically advantaged. Older employed Americans have sustained their Windows PC use while rates among Gen Z adults have plummeted.
This TUPdate looks at the profile of American adults who currently use a Windows PC along several lines: the socioeconomic group they are part of, their life stage, employment status, and age.
Home Windows PC usage by socioeconomic groups
Fewer Americans actively use a home Windows PC than in 2018 before the pandemic. With each passing year, Americans in nearly every sociodemographic group have reduced their active use of a Windows PC home computer. Seniors and traditionally advantaged Americans stand out for having the highest penetration rates.
This TUPdate looks at the profile of American adults who currently use a personally owned home Windows PC along several lines: the socioeconomic group they are part of, their life stage, employment status, and age.
Home notebook/laptop computer usage & plans by socioeconomic groups
Home notebooks became a darling of the pandemic as many Americans began working at home. After a surge, market penetration rates have dropped to pre-pandemic levels or below.
Historically disadvantaged groups have had the furthest retreat from regular home notebook use.
Looking ahead, the strongest purchase intentions are among older Adults – Millennials and Gen X. Fewer Gen Z adults are embracing computers, whether fixed or mobile, and Boomers are sticking with the ones they already have.
This TUPdate looks at the profile of American adults who currently use or intend to use a personally owned home notebook/laptop along several lines: the socioeconomic group they are part of, their life stage, employment status, and age.
Declining computer use among employees
Employees are more likely to be using a smartphone than either a home or work computer, as computer use has declined over the last four years. Global and US employees are also more likely to be using a home computer than one provided by an employer. Computer use is especially higher among older than younger employees, particularly those using a home computer.
This MetaFAQs reports on the penetration of a smartphone, computer, home computer, work/employer-provided computer, or tablet among employees in the US and those in the US, Germany, UK, Japan, or China. Trending data spans 2019 through 2022.
Shift in employee device hours and devices
Since the start of the pandemic, employees have needed to make tremendous changes. Employees in information-focused occupations and those needing to shift how they communicate relied on their connected devices to get work done. A growing number of employees lost access to an employer-provided computer. Many turned to using home computers for work, while yet others turned more often to their smartphones. Despite the challenges and changes, employees worldwide have managed to use their collection of devices for as many total hours while simultaneously using fewer devices.
This MetaFAQs reports on the usage levels of connected devices – smartphones, work computers, home computers, and tablets among employees in the US, Germany, UK, Japan, and China. Trending data spans from 2019 through 2022.
Technology penetration among American employees, generations, and remote workers
Older adults and those working at larger firms have more technology products than other online Americans, with a few notable exceptions. Americans working from home have higher computer use than other Americans, including home-owned PCs. This MetaFAQs reports several highlights from the published TUP tables focused on the key technology devices Americans actively use. This table set is labeled 250 DEV_KEY, and the selected tables for this MetaFAQs are split by age group, employer size, and work-from-home status. It specifically focuses on the key device metrics which show the penetration of smartphones, computers, tablets, game consoles, and printers. It further splits out iPhones from Android smartphones and home computers from those provided by employers or others such as school or library computers.
Windows and Apple computers decline in use while iPhone and Androids battle
Online adults around the world have continued to use fewer devices than in the past. Computers have been declining in use both in numbers and overall market penetration. Windows PCs have continued their trend of being used by fewer adults, as smartphones grow in their breadth of usage. This MetaFAQs reports on the percentage of online adults using Windows PCs, Apple Macs, Apple iPhones, Android smartphones, Apple iPads, Android tablets, and Windows tablets.
Smartphones continue displacing computers as primary device
Smartphones have continued to grow in use as the primary device among many, but not all, online adults. Online adults in the US and UK reach first for their smartphones, unlike adults in Germany and Japan. This MetaFAQs reports on the primary device in use by online adults – the smartphone, feature phone, computer, tablet, or game console that they use the most often. It includes online adults in the US, Germany, the UK, and Japan.
Declining use of home computers for work
The share of adults using home computers for work activities has declined sharply from a mid-pandemic peak. Current levels are below pre-pandemic levels. Some of the decline is due to many employees returning to their workplaces. Another factor is the long decline in the use of home computers as online adults embrace their smartphones for an increasing set of activities. This MetaFAQs reports on the percent of online adults using a home computer for any work-related activities from 2019 through 2022, both in the US as well as globally – US, Germany, UK, Japan, and China.