Pew survey shows that more people than ever before now own a smartphone, but PC sales have stagnated

[midian182]

A new study by the Pew Research center has found that the number of US adults who own a smartphone has almost doubled in the last four years, from 35 percent to 68 percent. Tablet ownership has also grown to 45 percent among adults, up from 3 percent from 2010.

One area that Pew’s survey shows has remained stagnant is desktop and laptop ownership. While the number of people who owned a PC/laptop was rising slightly up until 2012, where it reached a high of 80 percent, it has since dropped to 73 percent. Additionally, the number of adults who own a games console has remained at a steady 40 percent, a figure that hasn’t moved in the last five years. Portable gaming devices have, however, dropped slightly from 18 percent ownership in 2009 to 14 percent today.

The number of US adults who own E-Book readers has dropped drastically in the last two years, down from 32 percent to 18 percent. The number of people who own MP3 players has also declined - by almost 10 percent in the last five years. The waning popularity of both these devices could be attributed to the rise of smartphone and tablet ownership.

While the figures may paint a slightly gloomy picture of the state of PC/laptop ownership, it’s worth remembering that since the survey took place in March and April this year there have been several times when the market has received a boost; Windows 10’s release, the launch of Microsoft’s first ever laptop (the Surface Book), and the multi-company ‘PC does what’ promotional campaign are all likely to have helped increase PC and laptop sales recently.

image credit: Goodluz / shutterstock

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https://www.techspot.com/news/62632-pew-survey-more-people-own-smartphones.html

 

[DDG4005]

Not a surprise. Most desktops from five years ago can run Windows 10 without issue and portable media devices are throwaways. The real question is what happens when smartphones and tablets hit a saturation point where you can't sell anymore of them?

 

[psycros]

"While the figures may paint a slightly gloomy picture of the state of PC/laptop ownership, it’s worth remembering that since the survey took place in March and April this year there have been several times when the market has received a boost; Windows 10’s release, the launch of Microsoft’s first ever laptop (the Surface Book), and the multi-company ‘PC does what’ promotional campaign are all likely to have helped increase PC and laptop sales recently."

Is this based on actual numbers or is it just an assumption? You can't have it both ways. Let me go ahead and answer the question: its pure assumption because current numbers either don't support any kind of bump in PC sales that coincide with things the writer lists, or there simply aren't any solid figures yet.

 

[loading]

Yeah no surprise here.

We've sort of hit a point where technology in PC's has stagnated. Until we get down to 12nm dies there really is no reason to upgrade.

Hell in my line of work I'm still replacing XP machines on a monthly basis.

Tablet sales are up only because Microsoft (and other companies) can market their "Surface" as a tablet even though it's a full blown PC.

Smartphone sales increase is obvious.

 

[3volv3d]

PC's are for Gamers and Professional IT guys, or at least that is how it seems to me that things are changing. I don't think it has much to do with the technology in PC's stagnating.

Women are more than happy to use a phone or tablet to do their Facebook and Social crap. Not everyone needs a PC. Not everyone needs an Android phone with oodles of functionality when they can have an iPhone designed for Mr/Mrs Simpleton.

And it isn't just that phones have enough power to do all these things, it is also that you can do it while walking down the street or in the pub. Why talk to your co workers and friends that are right there next to you when you can talk online to people constantly. Everyone sat around a table but looking zombified at the screen in their hands.

We don't need technology to improve much yet, we need better battery life, and next to the battery notification, another, that measures how long you have been staring at your phone so it can tell you how much of sad case you are. lollies!

 

[hitech0101]

This article was already shared by you guyz in weekend tech reading.