MetaFacts' findings » TUP 2008

Employment status & mobile PCs

naiaoneheart — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 22:40:15 +0000

Only a few years ago, having a mobile PC was strongly tied to employment status and occupation. The earliest mobile PC users were true road-warriors – traveling salesmen and executives on the go who could easily rationalize having their computing and connection with them. This active group was able to justify the previous steep price premium for mobile PC technology and even carry the inevitable extra weight. As notebooks have lightened, the price performance ratio has neared that of desktops, and computing has entered the daily practice of a broad base of Americans, meaning employment status has had less of an effect on mobile PC ownership. Only a few percent more mobile PC users are employed full-time than desktop users, at 53% versus 50%. Similarly, part-time employees make up only two percent more of the base of mobile PC users at 14% compared with 12% of desktop users. The strongest contrast is among the retired, who have more than double the share of desktop use at 12% than among mobile PC use at 5%.

: Employment Status and Mobile PCs – Mobile PC Brand Profile Report

The Mobile PC Profile Report is available for immediate purchase through the online store at the MetaFacts website – MetaFacts.com

Other findings in the Mobile PC Profile Report include:

Brand Shares of Mobile & Desktop PCs
Mobile PC Brands by Year Acquired
Market Segments and Mobile PC Brands
Operating Systems & Mobility
Operating Systems on Mobile PCs – Pre-installed or Aftermarket?
Operating Systems by Mobile PC Brand
User Age and Mobile Computing
User Age and Mobile PC Brand
User Gender and Mobile PC Brand
Age within Gender of Primary Computer User and Mobile PC Brand
Number of Locations by Gender and Age
Employment Status and Mobile Computing
Employment Status and Mobile PC Brands
Market Segment by Mobile PC Brand
Big & Small Companies and PC Mobility
Educational Level and Mobile PC Brand
Household Income by Mobile PC Brand
Age of Kids and Mobility of PC
Mobility Doesn’t Always Mean Mobile Use
Locations for Mobile PCs
Public PC Locations by Mobile PC Brand
Mobile PC Brand by Number of Locations Used
Mobile PC Users and the Total Number of PCs Used
Mobile PC Brand by Number of PCs Regularly Used
PC Purchase Year by Mobility
New versus Used/Refurbished by Mobile PC Brand
Hours of Use by Mobile PC Brand
Busy Mobile PCs and Mobile PC Brands
Activities and Mobility
Major Activities Point Out that Mobile PC Brands Vary
Tech Attitude Gap between Mobile PC and Desktop Users
Tech Attitudes by Mobile PC Brand
Brand Loyalty by Mobile PC Brand
Scanners by Mobile PC Brand
Docking Solutions by Mobile PC Brand
Firewire Usage by Mobile PC Brand
Sony Mobile PC Users Shop at a Broader Selection of Outlets
Which Mobile PC Users Frequent which Online and Retail Outlets
Retail Purchase Channels & Outlets by Mobile PC Brand
Online Purchase Channels & Outlets by Mobile PC Brand

MetaFacts releases ongoing research on the market shifts and profiles for Windows Vista, Mobile PCs, Workplace PCs, Home PCs, Moms and Dads, Web Creators, Broadband, and many other technology industry topics. These Profile Reports are in a series on specific topics utilizing the Technology User Profile Annual Edition study, which reveals the changing patterns of technology adoption and use in American households and businesses. Interested technology professionals can sign up at www.metafacts.com for complimentary TUPdates, periodic snapshots of technology markets.

About MetaFacts

MetaFacts, Inc. is a national market research firm focusing exclusively on the technology industries. MetaFacts’ Technology User Profile survey is the longest-running, large-scale comprehensive study of its kind, conducted continuously since 1983, the year before Apple released the Apple Macintosh. The detailed results are widely recognized as a primary marketing resource for Fortune 1000 companies providing consumer-oriented technology products and services, such as PCs, printers, peripherals, mobile computing, and related services and products. For more information, contact MetaFacts at 1-760-635-4300.

Posted in Consumer research, Market Research, Mobile PC Brand Profile Report, TUP 2008 Tagged: Brand share, Demographics, Disposal, Employment, Installed Base, Laptop, Market Share, Mobile, Notebook, Occupations, Road Warrior, Tablet, Unemployment, Workplace

Operating systems by mobile PC brand

naiaoneheart — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 22:30:28 +0000

‘Coopetition’ and ‘frenemy’ are clumsy words to describe the relationship such as that between Microsoft and PC makers. Depending on your role in the industry, you might choose one of the terms from biology such as commensal, mutualist, or parasitic. Whichever term you use, the reality is that during major changes such as a new operating system release, to avoid wholesale market confusion and bringing buying to a standstill, there is a great interdependence between Microsoft and PC makers. As Microsoft launched Windows Vista, PC makers made various choices about how aggressively they were willing to tout the newest operating system and negotiate the best position, all while still keeping buyer’s interest strong. Market adoption is never an overnight event, and with a large installed base, adoption takes even longer. During this particular transition, early anecdotal reports of incompatibility and incomplete support and drivers added to delayed adoption by many market segments. Consequently, some PC makers continued to emphasize Windows XP and offer it longer than other makers.

Dell, in particular, offered XP well after the release of Vista, and their installed base reflects that. The majority (83%) of Dell mobile PCs are running Windows XP. By stark comparison, Vista is on closer to 40% of mobile PCs from HP, Toshiba, and Sony.

Operating Systems Vary by PC Brand - Mobile PC Brand Profile Report

The Mobile PC Profile Report is available for immediate purchase through the online store at the MetaFacts website – MetaFacts.com

Other findings in the Mobile PC Profile Report include:

About MetaFacts

Posted in Consumer research, Market Research, Mobile PC Brand Profile Report, TUP 2008 Tagged: Apple, Competition, Dell, Installed Base, Laptop, Market Adoption, Market Share, Microsoft Windows, Mobile, Notebook, Operating systems, Sony, Tablet, Toshiba, Windows, Windows Vista, Windows XP

Active mobile users are likely to split the notebook netbook market

metafacts — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 22:07:16 +0000

Mobile PCs are used for a broader range of activities than desktops. This is not because of inherent capabilities of mobile PC technology as much as being a reflection of the users themselves. It’s not about the product; it’s about the users. First, the busiest users choose mobile PCs over desktops so they can more readily do whatever they want wherever they are. Second, the busiest users have integrated computing into their lives and broadened the number of activities they conduct.

This has a major impact on the future for netbooks. Since mobile users are more active with their portable computers, those that are the most oriented towards convenience won’t want to give up their full-powered notebook for a netbook, unless that netbook can adequately support the activities these users know and love. The usage model for netbooks and notebooks is the key, because users change their behavior less often than they change telco carriers or PC brands.

Average # of Activities for Mobile vs. Desktop PCs - Mobile PC Brand Profile Report

Mobile PCs Used for Broader Activities Than Desktops - Mobile PC Brand Profile Report

The Mobile PC Profile Report is based on original primary research and is available for immediate purchase through the online store at the MetaFacts website – MetaFacts.com

Other findings in the Mobile PC Profile Report include:

About MetaFacts

Posted in Households, Market Research, Mobile PC Brand Profile Report, TUP 2008 Tagged: Activities, Churning, Consumer behavior, Consumer Trends, Hours online, Laptop, Market Adoption, Market segmentation, Mobile, Mobile Phone, Mobility, Netbook, Notebook, PC Centricity, Smartphone, Tablet, Trends

What about the old ladies? Mobile computing a sport for the young?

metafacts — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 21:52:57 +0000

[Notice: This information is from TUP 2008 and has been updated in more recent waves of TUP. Contact MetaFacts for updates.]

Actively mobile computing is a sport for the young. The most active users, who regularly use their mobile PCs in four or more locations, are ages 18-34 and make up two-thirds (65%) of these active users. By stark contrast, users who use their mobile PCs in only one location have a smaller share in this demographic segment: 40% are ages 18-34.

Mobile PCs are used in the Most Locations by the Young - Mobile PC Brand Profile Brand

The Mobile PC Profile Report is based on primary research conducted by MetaFacts as a part of Technology User Profile. This special report and other research results are available for immediate purchase through the online store at the MetaFacts website – MetaFacts.com.

Other findings in the Mobile PC Profile Report include:

About MetaFacts

Posted in Busy Mobiles Profile Report, Mobile PC Brand Profile Report, TUP 2008 Tagged: Consumer behavior, Demographics, Locations, Market segmentation, Millenials, Mobile, Mobility, Netbook, Notebook, Tablet, Technology adoption, Trends, WiMax

Segments and mobile PC brands

metafacts — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 21:39:11 +0000

Corporate buyers – large and small – favor the major mobile PC brands. This comes from the pull of preferences from corporate IT management, typically for PCs deemed safer, and the push of targeted sales & marketing efforts of the major PC makers.

Dell has the highest proportion of its installed base in the hands of employees, with nearly one-third (31%) having been bought by company funds for employees or in self-employment. This is in direct contrast to Acer-branded mobile PCs, purchased predominantly by consumers.

Apple has a high percentage of its mobile base provided by employers. That belies the widespread belief that Apple isn’t a corporate PC standard. However, it’s that Apple is not a large-employer standard. The vast majority (95%) of workplace Apple mobile PCs are in companies with fewer than 100 employees.

: Mobile PC Brands by Ownership – Mobile PC Brand Profile Report

The Mobile PC Profile Report is available for immediate purchase through the online store at the MetaFacts website – MetaFacts.com

Other findings in the Mobile PC Profile Report include:

About MetaFacts

Posted in Consumer research, Market Research, Mobile PC Brand Profile Report, TUP 2008 Tagged: Acer, Apple, Corporate, Dell, Demographics, Enterprise, Installed Base, IT, Laptop, Lorgs, Market Adoption, Market segmentation, Mobile, Mobility, Netbook, Notebook, Segmentation, Standards, Tablet, Workplace, Workplace PCs

Docking stations by mobile PC brand

metafacts — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 21:24:24 +0000

While it may seem natural to extend the use of mobile computers with docking stations, this product class has not emerged beyond a niche. The product class has been perennially plagued by the tension between maintaining a standard from product generation to generation while still trying to offer the most advanced mobile PC offerings. Meanwhile, demand for docking has diminished with more ubiquitous and ever-faster transport technology such as USB 2.0, and increased integration of components and peripherals into mobile PCs. Dell and Compaq enjoy the greatest usage of various types of docking station solutions with just under one-quarter (24%) of PCs each.

While these two brands lead the market, they each command only a slim margin over the average one-in-five (21%) for mobile PCs.

Apple has essentially taken a different approach than Windows mobile PC makers with respect to hardware docking solutions. Although there are third-party products to enhance the mobile experience such as notebook stands and port replicators, Apple continues to expand the mobile PC user’s desktop through sharing of documents and media using cloud-like services like MobileMe, simplified wireless connections, and larger integrated displays.

: Actual Usage of Peripherals Varies by Mobile PC Brand – Mobile PC Brand Profile Report

The Mobile PC Profile Report is available for immediate purchase through the online store at the MetaFacts website – MetaFacts.com

Other findings in the Mobile PC Profile Report include:

About MetaFacts

Posted in Busy Mobiles Profile Report, Consumer research, Market Research, Mobile PC Brand Profile Report, TUP 2008 Tagged: Accessories, Apple, Compaq, Dell, Docking Stations, Laptop, Mobile, Mobility, Netbook, Notebook, Standards, Tablet

Major activities point out that mobile PC brands vary

metafacts — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:05:18 +0000

Any market can be segmented in many ways – socio-demographics, brands, attitudes, etc. – it could be argued that the most pragmatic way to understand what a market is, is by what users actually do, rather than what they might possibly do.

When looking at what users actually do with their computers, Apple mobile PC users aren’t really that unique, after all. The top five activities for Apple mobile PC users aren’t any different than those of Windows mobile PC users.

It’s Acer’s mobile users who are distinct, when looking at the main activities. Storing/Scanning photos is a top-five activity only on Acer portables. Another top-five activity – personal finance – is unique to HP & Acer. In Acer’s case, these activities are in lieu of shopping & purchasing online.

: Top 5 Activities for Each Mobile PC Brand – Mobile PC Brand Profile Report

The Mobile PC Profile Report is available for immediate purchase through the online store at the MetaFacts website – MetaFacts.com

News flash: even more recent updates to this information are available to subscribers to the full Technology User Profile service, the TUP Overview Report, and other TUP Profile Reports.

Other findings in the Mobile PC Profile Report include:

About MetaFacts

Posted in Consumer research, Market Research, Mobile PC Brand Profile Report, TUP 2008 Tagged: Acer, Activities, Apple, Browsing, Consumer behavior, Digital imaging, email, Finance, Hewlett Packard, HP, Laptop, Microsoft Windows, Mobile, Netbook, Notebook, Online search, PC Brands, Scanners, Search, Shopping, Sociodemographics, Tablet, Usage model, Windows

PC purchase year by mobility

metafacts — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:53:56 +0000

The installed base of mobile PCs is newer than desktops. This is due to the combination of several factors. Mobiles are coming into their own more recently than desktops, due to a confluence of lowered prices and increased technology. Since they don’t as often stay in one secure location, mobile PCs need to be replaced more often than desktops whether it is from breakage or theft. Furthermore, for some users whose personal identity is tied to the technology they carry, sporting a newer PC can simply feel better than lugging a legacy.

: Age of Installed Base Desktops vs. Mobile – Mobile PC Brand Profile Report

The Mobile PC Profile Report is available for immediate purchase through the online store at the MetaFacts website – MetaFacts.com

Other findings in the Mobile PC Profile Report include:

About MetaFacts

Posted in Consumer research, Market Research, Mobile PC Brand Profile Report, TUP 2008 Tagged: Consumer behavior, Identify theft, Installed Base, Laptop, Market Adoption, Market Size, Mobile, Mobility, Netbook, Notebook, Penetration, Privacy, Security, Style, Tablet, Technology adoption, Trends

Tech attitudes by mobile PC brand

metafacts — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 20:09:23 +0000

Each mobile PC brand has attracted a different set of customers, not only in their socio-demographics, but also in their technology-related attitudes. While most mobile PC users hold similar attitudes, in several areas there are notable differences.

The last few years have seen a strong emergence in green marketing. When it comes to the disposal of previous computers, it’s interesting and surprising that HP has the poorest showing. Nearly four out of nine (45%) say it is difficult to find a place to dispose of a home PC, the highest rate of all mobile PC brand users. This is despite HP’s many various publicized efforts to streamline green disposal, especially with printer consumables. Apparently, there is not much of a halo effect between HP’s ubiquitous cartridge recycling self-mailers and its PCs.

The extent of refined choice is evident in the differences between how mobile PC users prefer to have the best-of-breed “BOB” versus buying a simple or convenient bundle. Sony mobile PC users have the strongest interest in getting the best electronics products or services instead of a product/service bundle, with nearly half (47%) strongly agreeing. By comparison, less than a third (31%) of Gateway users similarly agree.

Sony mobile PC users are also distinctive in their comfort with technology. They have the lowest agreement that technology products are too complicated, with only 12% strongly agreeing, while more than a third (35%) of Compaq mobile PC users confess to being overwhelmed.

Technology Attitudes Vary by Mobile PC Brand - Mobile PC Brand Profile Report

The Mobile PC Profile Report is available for immediate purchase through the online store at the MetaFacts website – MetaFacts.com

Other findings in the Mobile PC Profile Report include:

About MetaFacts

Posted in Consumer research, Market Research, Mobile PC Brand Profile Report, TUP 2008 Tagged: Attitudes, Best of breed, Bundling, Compaq, Consumables, Consumer behavior, Convenience, Disposal, Ecological, eCycling, eWaste, Gateway, Global warming, Green, Greenliness, Hewlett Packard, HP, Identity theft, Installed Base, Laptop, Mobile, Notebook, Plastics, Privacy, Recycling, Reverse logistics, Security, Sociodemographics, Sony, Sustainable, Tablet, Technology Attitudes, Toner cartridges

Mobile PC user segments by PC brand

metafacts — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:53:00 +0000

Apple used to be the darling of colleges, universities, and education overall. While students make up a high share of Apple’s mobile PC users, that’s not the case for faculty or educational administration.

Nine percent of all mobile PC adult users are employed in education, and 13% of Apple’s base is in this segment. This is strong, although not as relatively strong or as focused as in the past.

Apple’s strongest segment now is the self-employed, making up over one-fifth (21%) of its installed base. Only Acer has nearly as much share, with 18% of its installed base being self-employed.

Toshiba has its strongest segment among employees of the largest employers, those with 1,000 or more employees. More than a quarter (26%) of Toshiba’s adult users are in these organizations, higher than the share for any other mobile PC brand.

: Top Segments for each Mobile PC Brand – Mobile PC Brand Profile Report

The Mobile PC Profile Report is available for immediate purchase through the online store at the MetaFacts website – MetaFacts.com

Other findings in the Mobile PC Profile Report include:

About MetaFacts

Posted in Consumer research, Market Research, Mobile PC Brand Profile Report, TUP 2008 Tagged: Apple, Education, Employment, Enterprise, Laptop, Lorgs, Market segmentation, Market Share, Mobile, Not employed, Notebook, Segmentation, Self-Employed, Tablet, Toshiba, Unemployed