Most manufactures are moving away from personal computers, or desktops, and looking towards more mobile-enabled technologies, even more towards the Internet of Things (IoT).
However, it does not mean that PCs and Laptops will suddenly become obsolete, however, it does signify that for those who create online experiences, more though must be put into differences between desktop, and more mobile experiences on both laptops and mobile devices.
Safe to say, the number of laptop and mobile users is surpassing that of desktop users significantly, with an upwards trend continuing now more than ever.
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The statistics
Mobile app usage time data
Some of the latest Mobile App Reports show that more time is being spent on digital media with smartphone applications than that of either desktops or laptops. However, where 50% of digital time captured by smartphone applications may be up, they are only up by 1% from previous years, with desktop usage holding steady, having accounted for 34% of digital media time. When considering the age brackets and the percentages that use smartphone applications, the following can be noted:
- Digital media time of 18- to 24-year-olds is on 66%.
- 54% of time the 25- to 34-year-old bracket.
- 53% of time for the 35- to 44-year-old bracket.
- 48% of time for the 45- to 54-year-old bracket
- 46% of time for the 55- to 64-year-old bracket.
- 27% of time for the bracket of 65 and older.
Of all devices, the increase in desktop usage share for the 24- to 34-year-olds would appear to have come at the expense of smartphones, with desktops growing around 31% for the digital time that this age bracket has spent. You might also be interested in the ultimate gaming laptops
Stat Counter data
When viewing data over the past year, between mobile, desktop, and other portable devices, mobile ranks in the 50% range, with desktop and laptop ranking in the higher 40%, followed by other portable devices. Mobile devices, although representing a higher usage percentage, shows a substantial spike in November, December, and January, before showing a decline. When comparing operating systems over the past year, both Android and Windows show close rankings close to 40% while other operating systems such as iOS, Linux, OS X, and others rank in 20% and lower.
Who is winning the race, and what does the future hold?
When viewing statistics and rankings, mobile usage has skyrocketed and holds the lead above all others. However, desktops and laptops still show prominent use as there are continuous innovations that take place in these devices. Mobile devices are more easily accessible than desktop computers and laptops, especially in developing countries, where there is increased internet use and penetration rates. More people are making use of mobile devices to access the internet, but desktop and laptop computer usage is not set to show any sign of decline despite this.
