Younger adults are more likely to be sporting a used or refurbished device than older adults. This is especially true in the US, Germany, and the UK. Some of this practice is due to current socioeconomic challenges among younger adults.
This MetaFAQ reports on the percentage primary devices that are used or refurbished, including a smartphone, feature phone, computer, tablet, or game console. Report [TUP_doc_2024_0203_refu] in TUP Lenses: Devices; PCs; Mobile Phones; User Profile; Game Consoles, Gaming PCs, and Game-Playing
Used and refurbished computer market health and youth
The market for used or refurbished computers is healthy, steady, and widespread. It is a common and ongoing practice among adults in the US, Germany, UK, and Japan. There is a youthful skew, especially among younger Americans.
This MetaFAQ reports on the percentage of home PCs acquired as used or refurbished, split by country and user age group.
Youth versus experience: the new/used computer divide
Employers are saddling younger adults with used/refurbished computers. Over one-third of American adults aged 18 to 24 actively using an employer-provided PC are using one previously used by someone else. In the UK, that rate among younger adults is nearly as high. Older adults don’t have as high a rate.
This MetaFAQs reports on the percentage of PC users actively using a used/refurbished computer by computer ownership and age group within the US, UK, Germany, Japan, and China. Report [TUP_doc_2023_1101_used] in TUP Lenses: PCs; Mobile Phones; User Profile
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.
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.
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.
Home gaming notebook/laptop usage & plans by socioeconomic groups
Home gaming laptops/notebooks have persisted as a small yet steady niche among online Americans. Since 2018, 2% of online Americans have regularly used a gaming laptop, and this number is strongly skewed toward young Americans.
This MetaFAQs reports on the penetration of gaming laptops with a detailed trend from 2018 through 2022. Research results are split by age group, generation, socioeconomic groups, and life stage. Furthermore, this report includes analysis of purchase plans for the next 12 months.
Home gaming desktop usage & plans by socioeconomic groups
Home gaming desktops have persisted as a steady niche among online Americans. Since 2018, 4% to 6% of online Americans have regularly used a gaming desktop, and this group is strongly skewed toward young Americans.
This MetaFAQs reports on the penetration of gaming desktops with a detailed trend from 2018 through 2022. Research results are split by age group, generation, socioeconomic groups, and life stage. Furthermore, this report includes analysis of purchase plans for the next 12 months.