Game consoles get most of the attention in the gaming market. Many more online adults actively play immersive or other games using their connected devices – smartphones, tablets, or computers – than use game consoles. Outside of the US, Windows PCs outnumber smartphones as the game-playing platform of choice, especially in Germany and Japan. This TUP analysis reports the number of online adults actively playing immersive or other games by platform type and country.
The only set of connected devices Americans use
Since 2018 and through the pandemic, fewer online Americans have been using computers, game consoles, feature phones, and tablets. Smartphones, already near saturation levels, have continued to increase market penetration.
Is the smartphone headed towards being the last device standing, or is there some other device combination that is more widely used?
This TUPdate looks at the market penetration of key devices – computers, smartphones, feature phones, game consoles, and tablets – among American adults. Beyond their overall penetration rates, this analysis dives deeper into identifying the device combinations used by three of four American adults, and profiling who uses them.
Notebook/laptop usage by socioeconomic groups
Older Americans have discovered laptops as they increasingly see the appeal of mobile computing. Americans working from home had a momentary surge in laptop usage while working at home.
Market penetration rates have dropped to pre-pandemic levels or below. Historically disadvantaged groups have had the sharpest decline in active laptop use.
This TUPdate looks at the profile of American adults who currently use a notebook/laptop along several lines: the socioeconomic group they are part of, their life stage, employment status, and age.
Smartphone usage by socioeconomic groups
A surging group of older Americans has adopted smartphones, driving up the average age of smartphone users. Market growth took place among upper and lower socioeconomic groups, balancing many past inequities. While the younger Gen Z generation is often envisioned as exclusively using newer technology, economic realities have contributed to the temporary decline in smartphone use.
This TUPdate looks at the profile of American adults who currently use a smartphone along several lines: the socioeconomic group they are part of, their life stage, employment status, and age.
Printer usage by American socioeconomic groups
Fewer Americans are using a printer, although the distribution is not even. Most groups of traditionally advantaged Americans continue to have the highest active penetration rates, while usage among the traditionally disadvantaged has faded.
This MetaFAQs profiles American online adults using a printer by their employment status and age group, life stage, age group, and generational age group.
Windows notebook usage by socioeconomic groups
Windows laptop/notebook computers 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. Employment status is a major factor associated with Windows laptop usage, less so than age.
This TUPdate looks at the profile of American adults who currently use a Windows laptop/notebook along several lines: the socioeconomic group they are part of, their life stage, employment status, and age.
Apple computer usage by socioeconomic groups
Apple computers grew in usage during the pandemic, only to shrink below pre-pandemic levels. The shape and composition of the active Apple computer user base maintained relative strength among historically advantaged Americans and much less so among the traditionally disadvantaged. Advantaged Americans have been the ficklest. The skew toward younger Americans using Apple computers has flattened as older Americans increase their usage.
This TUPdate looks at the profile of American adults who currently use an Apple computer along several lines: the socioeconomic group they are part of, their life stage, employment status, and age.
Smartwatch usage & plans by socioeconomic groups
Among Americans, active smartwatch usage has shifted towards traditionally disadvantaged sociodemographic groups and away from those traditionally advantaged. Overall, age is a prominent factor affecting smartwatch usage, with younger Americans having the highest active usage rates. There has been a flattening of the usage profile, with market growth among the youngest and oldest Americans. The smartwatch market is currently a replacement market, with 45% of active smartwatch users having purchase plans versus 14% of those not using a smartwatch. Consequently, the profile of smartwatch users is unlikely to change in the coming year.
This MetaFAQs looks at the five-year profile of American adults who actively use a smartwatch along several lines: the socioeconomic group they are part of, their life stage, employment status, and age. It also profiles those planning to purchase a smartwatch in the next 12 months.
Apple Watch usage & plans by socioeconomic groups
Apple Watch usage grew during the pandemic only to shrink below pre-pandemic levels. The shape and composition of the active Apple Watch user base favors younger employed Americans. From 2018 to 2022, active usage dropped overall among historically advantaged groups and rose among those historically disadvantaged. Three historically disadvantaged sociodemographic groups – younger Black, Hispanic, and multi-racial adults – stand out for having higher than average and growing usage.
This TUPdate looks at the five-year profile of American adults who actively use an Apple Watch along several lines: the socioeconomic group they are part of, their life stage, employment status, and age. It also profiles those planning to purchase an Apple Watch in the next 12 months.
Apple notebook usage by socioeconomic groups
Apple notebook/laptop computers grew in usage during the pandemic, only to shrink to pre-pandemic levels. The shape and composition of the active Apple notebook computer user base maintained relative strength among historically advantaged Americans and much less so among the traditionally disadvantaged. The skew toward younger Americans using Apple notebooks has flattened as older Americans increase their usage.
This TUPdate looks at the profile of American adults who currently use a personally owned Apple notebook computer along several lines: the socioeconomic group they are part of, their life stage, employment status, and age.