Apple’s marketing has long emphasized a youthful image with high design standards, factors that have most strongly appealed to younger adults. At the same time, older generations often rely on the brands and products that they are familiar with, and in the specific case of computers, this includes a higher share of Windows computers. Gen Z, in particular, has a higher share of devices that connect through social media, and they often identify themselves as being different from other generations. These and other factors make Apple computers more popular among younger adults.
This MetaFAQs reports on the percentage of online adults in the US, UK, Germany, Japan, and China who use an Apple computer, split by age generation. Report [TUP_doc_2024_0109_ymac] in TUP Lenses: PCs; User Profile; Technology Ecosystems
Young Americans fully embrace MacBooks for the first time
Apple Mac laptops reach parity among Windows PCs among young Americans – Apple’s MacBooks have been squarley marketed towards younger adults for many years. Only in 2023 can it be said that Apple caught up to Windows, with Apple’s share of active users aged 18 to 24 having basically the same share as Microsoft’s. Apple’s growth has been taking place slowly and steadily since 2017.
This MetaFAQ reports on the percentage of adult notebook/laptop users using either an Apple or Windows notebook/laptop, detailed by age group and country. Report [TUP_doc_2024_0101_182t] in TUP Lenses: Devices; PCs; User Profile; Technology Ecosystems
Apple’s uneven global reach among youth
Apple has a history of marketing towards younger people or those aspiring to have a more youthful image. That has borne fruit, as demonstrated by the higher penetration rates of Apple products and services. Apple’s line of Macintosh computers acquired with personal funds for home use has higher penetration rates among younger adults than among older ones. However, this pattern is not true across all countries surveyed.
This MetaFAQs reports on the percentage of online adults using an Apple home computer within age groups in the US, UK, Germany, Japan, and China. Report [TUP_doc_2023_1227_yapl] in TUP Lenses: PCs; User Profile; Technology Ecosystems
Apple Grows as 1st Device, Especially Among Gen Z
Apple cannot claim to be the dominant primary device of adults in the US, Germany, the UK, Japan, or China. However, among Gen X adults, Apple has the clear majority, and the percentage using an iOS, iPadOS, or MacOS device has been growing. Other generational age groups – millennials, Gen X, and the Boomer/Silent generations – have also increased their share primarily using an Apple OS device.
This MetaFAQ reports on the percentage of online adults using an Apple OS device – an iPhone with iOS, an iPad with iPadOS, or an Apple computer with MacOS – split by country and generational age group. Report [TUP_doc_2023_1225_gent] in TUP Lenses: PCs; Mobile Phones; Tablets; User Profile; Technology Ecosystems
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
Nearly three of four Gen Z Americans use at least one Apple device
Apple has expanded into the two latest generations of online adults around the world. In every country surveyed, more than half of online adults are regularly using at least one major Apple product: an iPhone, an iPad, or a Mac. Among the earlier generations with millennials and Boomer/Silent adults, global penetration is 40%, and in the US it nears 50%.
This MetaFAQs reports on the percentage of online adults by age generation and country who are using one or more Apple devices – a smartphone, tablet, or computer. It also details how many Apple devices each age generation is using. Report [TUP_doc_2023_1207_appl] in TUP Lenses: Devices; PCs; Mobile Phones; Tablets; User Profile; Technology Ecosystems
Apple Mac laptops reach parity with Windows PCs among young Americans
Apple Mac laptops reach parity among Windows PCs among young Americans – For years, Microsoft Windows has led the PC market. Meanwhile, Apple’s MacOS has become particularly popular among US adults aged 18 to 24. Currently, in this age group, the usage of Windows and MacOS is nearly identical. It’s worth noting that this trend is specific to young Americans and doesn’t extend to adults in the UK, Germany, Japan, or China.
This MetaFAQs reports on the operating system family of the notebook/laptop actively used by online adults in the US, Germany, UK, Japan, and China. Report [TUP_doc_2023_1019_1824] in TUP Lenses: Devices; PCs; User Profile; Technology Ecosystems
Apple Leads for 1st Device, Especially Among Gen Z
Apple Leads for 1st Device, Especially Among Gen Z – Among online adults, Apple devices are emerging as the most frequently used, surpassing Google and Windows ecosystems. This trend is particularly pronounced among Gen Z adults worldwide. Nearly 50% of global Gen Z adults rely on an Apple OS iPhone, iPad, or Mac as their main device. In the U.S., this statistic rises impressively, with two-thirds of online Gen Z adults favoring Apple. Among the highly-educated Gen Z elite in China, Apple holds a more challenged one-third share, yet this still outpaces both Google Android and Windows.
This MetaFAQs offers vital data, detailing the primary operating system choices of online adults. This information is invaluable for tech professionals, aiding them in understanding and navigating the evolving preferences of the digital population. Such insights are key for technology marketers, researchers, and analysts to strategize effectively in an ever-shifting tech landscape. Report [TUP_doc_2023_1007_genz] in TUP Lenses: PCs; Mobile Phones; Tablets; User Profile; Technology Ecosystems
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.