I’ve always been curious about how others use their MacBooks. Are they all work and no play, or do they mix it up? To find out, we surveyed 13,700 MacBook users, and the results revealed some fascinating insights about their habits, preferences, and what they love most about their devices. Let’s explore!
Key Findings From Our MacBook Usage Survey
Here’s a summary of the most interesting findings and key MacBook usage statistics:
- Age Group and Usage: Most MacBook users are aged 18–34, spending an average of 6–8 hours daily on their device.
- Longevity: 42% have been using their current MacBook for 3–4 years, with 78% owning at least one other Apple device.
- Most-Used Apps: Safari tops the list for 84% of users, while Google Chrome leads third-party app usage at 67%.
- macOS Features: Spotlight is the most valued macOS feature for 68% of users.
- Backup Preferences: iCloud is the go-to storage solution for 88% of respondents.
- Satisfaction: 85% of users would recommend a Mac to a friend, highlighting high overall satisfaction.
About Our Survey
We reached out to 13,700 MacBook users to get a comprehensive understanding of how they use their devices. Among the respondents, a significant portion were professionals, students, creatives, and tech enthusiasts.
To ensure diverse insights, we promoted the survey through newsletters, social media, and targeted ads. Participants ranged from new users to experienced ones with over a decade of MacBook use.
We grouped participants based on their tech-savviness:
- Extremely Tech Savvy (30%)
- Somewhat Tech Savvy (63.3%)
- Not Tech Savvy (6.7%)
The Average User Spends 6-8 Hours Using Their MacBook
Across various user profiles, the average MacBook user spends between 6 to 8 hours on their device daily. This means people use their MacBook for 180-240 hours each month. That’s a lot of time, given all the things you can do on a MacBook.
- Users with 5+ years of MacBook ownership spend an average of 7.5 hours daily.
- Those in the 3-5 year bracket average around 7 hours.
- New MacBook owners, with less than a year of ownership, typically spend about 6 hours.
A Majority of MacBook Users Are Aged Between 18-34
According to our survey, the age distribution of MacBook users is as follows:
- 18-24 years old: 27.2%
- 25-34 years old: 28.9%
- 35-44 years old: 21.1%
- 45-54 years old: 11.4%
- 55-64 years old: 7%
- 65 years old and over: 4.4%
28% of MacBook Users Are Professionals and 26% Are Students
Our survey discovered that 28% of MacBook users are professionals, while 26% are actively pursuing their education as students. The remaining 46% of users fall into other categories, such as creatives, tech enthusiasts, retirees, homemakers, and entrepreneurs.
This distribution of MacBook users is not surprising, professionals are drawn to MacBooks for their powerful performance, long battery life, and user-friendly operating system. Students appreciate MacBooks for their portability, reliability, and wide range of educational software.
75% of MacBook Users Use It for Work-Related Tasks
A striking 75% of respondents primarily use their MacBook for work-related tasks, such as browsing the web, checking email, creating and editing documents, and participating in video conferences.
26% of MacBook users are students who use their devices for taking notes, completing assignments, and accessing learning materials. 15% of MacBook users are creative professionals who use their devices for tasks such as photo editing, video editing, and graphic design. 10% of MacBook users use their devices primarily for entertainment purposes, such as watching movies and TV shows, playing games, and listening to music.
Exploring deeper into work-related activities, we found that tasks such as video conferencing, software development, graphic design, and document editing are among the top uses for MacBook owners in the professional sphere.
Here is a more detailed breakdown of the primary use cases for MacBook users, by profession:
An Average Mac User Uses Their Device for 3.5 Years Before Upgrading
A significant 42% of respondents have been using their current MacBook for 3 to 4 years. This offers a glimpse into the durability and longevity of MacBooks. With a substantial portion of users holding onto their devices for 3-4 years, it’s clear that MacBooks are built to last and continue to perform efficiently over time.
Here is a breakdown of the percentage of MacBook users who have been using their current device for different lengths of time, based on our survey:
Most MacBook users keep their current device for 2–4 years, with the average upgrade cycle being 3.5 years, reflecting the MacBook’s durability and long lifespan.
A notable group of users holds onto their MacBooks for 5+ years, showing that MacBooks are often viewed as long-term investments.
66% of MacBook Users Consider Touch ID Useful and Use It Daily
66% of respondents said that they find the Touch ID feature on their MacBook useful and incorporate it into their daily routine.
Of these 66%, 78% use Touch ID to unlock their Mac, 67% use it to authorize purchases, 56% use it to make payments with Apple Pay, 52% use it to fill in passwords and credit card information, 46% use Touch ID to switch between user accounts, and 42% use it to sign into third-party apps.
52% of MacBook Users Find the Touch Bar Useful
Our survey indicates that 52% of MacBook users with Touch Bar reported using it in their daily tasks, showcasing its integration into their workflow. In this 52%, we found that 78% were creative professionals using the Touch Bar for tasks like scrubbing through footage while video editing, accessing frequently used tools, inserting emojis and symbols, etc.
The remaining 22% used it for other casual tasks, like adjusting system settings, controlling media playback, and accessing frequently used apps.
On the other hand, 17% of those with the Touch Bar-equipped MacBook said they had the feature but did not use it. When asked for a reason in an open-ended question, we got answers like finding the Touch Bar redundant, unnecessary, or not intuitive enough for their specific use cases.
Midnight Is the Most Popular MacBook Color Variant Among Users
The most popular MacBook color is Midnight (53%), followed by Space Gray (22%), Starlight (14%), and Silver (12%).
There are a few reasons why Midnight may be so popular. First, it is a new color that was introduced in 2022. Second, it is a darker color that can be more forgiving of fingerprints and smudges. Third, it is a unique color that stands out from other laptops.
Of course, personal preference plays a big role in choosing a MacBook color. Some people may prefer the classic Silver or Space Gray, while others may prefer the more modern Starlight or Midnight.
Spotlight Is the Most Useful macOS Feature According to 68% of MacBook Users
Spotlight stands out as the most invaluable macOS feature, with 68% of respondents selecting it as their top choice. This highlights the significance users place on efficient data searching and retrieval.
So, besides the 68% of MacBook users who find Spotlight useful, 56% favored easy screenshots, 33% chose screensharing, and 14% picked other things, like AirDrop, Dock, or Split View.
Safari Is the Most Used App on Mac With 84% of MacBook Users Accessing It Daily
Safari is the most commonly used native app on MacBook with 84% of users accessing it daily. It signifies its importance in the daily digital routines of MacBook users.
Following closely, Finder is accessed by 78% of users daily. Next, we have Mail with 67% of users accessing it daily, highlighting its role as a primary communication tool. Another favorite is Notes with 65% of users turning to it regularly. 46% of users access Calculator on MacBook daily while 42% use FaceTime on a daily basis.
Apple’s native apps are used frequently by MacBook users, with 65% using them daily. The high daily usage can be attributed to their seamless integration with macOS and the broader Apple ecosystem.
Google Chrome Is the Most Frequently Used Third-Party Application on MacBooks (67%)
67% of MacBook users use Google Chrome, making it the top third-party application on Mac.
While Apple’s native apps hold significant sway, third-party apps like Google Chrome have carved out their own niche. As a web browser, Chrome’s prominence suggests many MacBook users value its speed, extensions, and synchronization capabilities across devices.
71% of MacBook Users Have Reported an Increase in MacBook Usage Due to the Pandemic
The pandemic’s impact on digital behavior is undeniable. Beyond just work and education, many have turned to their MacBooks for entertainment, online shopping, and staying informed about the evolving situation.
Our survey found a significant 71% of respondents indicated their MacBook usage saw an uptick as a direct result of the pandemic. With many transitioning to remote work, online learning, and virtual social interactions, the MacBook has emerged as an essential tool for connectivity and productivity.
85% of MacBook Users Install the Latest macOS Update As Soon As It Arrives
A notable 85% of respondents shared they install the latest macOS update as soon as it becomes available. The eagerness to stay updated underscores the trust users place in Apple’s software enhancements, security patches, and feature additions.
While the majority are quick to update their software, the remaining 15% prefer to wait, ensuring any initial bugs are ironed out, while others might be content with their current macOS version.
On the other hand, hardware updates (purchasing a new device) are less frequent. 50% get a new one every 3-4 years, 15% every 1-2 years, and 35% wait more than 4 years. So, while people like new software updates, they keep their devices for a long time before getting a new one.
28% of MacBook Users Have Purchased Extended Warranties or AppleCare+ for Their Devices
28% of MacBook users have purchased AppleCare+ or extended warranties. We also found that AppleCare+ is more popular among high-end MacBook users, with 36% of MacBook Pro users and 35% of MacBook Air users having purchased AppleCare+.
Many MacBook users are buying AppleCare or extended warranties because Macs cost a lot. AppleCare+ helps if the MacBook gets damaged and gives extra services like fast tech support and two repairs for accidents every year.
44% of MacBook Users Use an Antivirus
According to our survey results, 44% of MacBook users use antivirus software. This data shows that MacBook users value security with antivirus software.
iCloud Is Used By 88% of MacBook Users for Backups and Storage
A dominant 88% of MacBook users use iCloud as their primary tool for backups and storage. This statistic underscores the trust and reliance MacBook users place on Apple’s integrated cloud solution.
The insights from the survey suggest the digital landscape is increasingly moving towards cloud-based solutions. However, while iCloud stands out as the preferred choice, the remaining 12% might be using alternative cloud services, external drives, or even other backup solutions tailored to their specific needs.
62% of MacBook Users Feel the Need for More USB-C Ports on Their Devices
62% of MacBook users wanted more USB-C ports on their devices. This suggests that there is a significant demand for more USB-C ports among MacBook users, especially MacBook Air and Pro users who have to work with only two USB-C ports.
Only 35% of MacBook Users Have Used Their Machines for Programming or Coding
Only 35% of users program or code on their MacBooks, showing its appeal to developers but highlighting other primary uses like content creation, education, and browsing. MacBooks offer strong performance for coding, but many users may not need it for this purpose.
40% of MacBook Users Have Used Their Device for Gaming
About 40% of users play games on their MacBooks, giving its gaming performance an average score of 3.5 out of 5. While not built for hardcore gaming, MacBooks handle casual gaming well. The rest focus more on work, learning, or other non-gaming activities.
25% of MacBook Users Are Fans of Their Mac’s Speed/Performance
Speed and performance are favorites for 25% of users, alongside design (21%) and ease of use (19%). Quick boot times, multitasking, and durability drive this admiration. Reliability (16%) and ecosystem integration (15%) also rank high.
MacBook Users Rate the Battery Life of Their Devices 8 Out of 10
MacBook users are generally satisfied with the battery life of their devices, with an average satisfaction rating of 8 out of 10.
This is likely due to several factors, including Apple’s use of energy-efficient components in its MacBook designs, macOS – which is optimized for battery life, and a variety of features that allow users to extend battery life, such as Power Nap and Low Power Mode.
The Average Rating of MacBook Sound Quality Is 4.3 Out of 5
MacBooks earn 4.3/5 for sound, with users praising the clarity and depth of the built-in speakers. They perform well across music, calls, and media playback.
If MacBook Users Could Improve One Thing About Their Machines, It Would Be More Ports for 66% of Them
MacBooks have notoriously few ports, which can make it difficult to connect multiple devices at the same time. 66% of MacBook users would like to have more ports, including USB-A and USB-C ports, as well as an HDMI port and an SD card reader.
While 66% of MacBook users want more ports, other popular responses included better battery life (23%), more storage (18%), better performance (15%), and a lower price (12%).
78% of MacBook Users Also Own At Least One Other Apple Device
A compelling 78% of respondents revealed that they have at least one other Apple device in addition to their MacBook.
While MacBooks stand as a testament to design and performance, a significant portion of users are drawn to the seamless connectivity and unified experience offered by owning multiple Apple devices. Factors such as iCloud integration, Handoff functionality, and a unified user experience across devices are driving this behavior.
Whether it’s the iPhone for its ubiquitous presence, the iPad for its versatility, the Apple Watch for its health and connectivity features, or the Apple TV for entertainment, the allure of the Apple ecosystem is undeniable.
47% of MacBook Users Use At Least One Add-On or Accessory With Their MacBooks
47% of MacBook users enhance their experience by using at least one add-on or accessory.
The most commonly used MacBook accessory among the respondents is the external mouse, with 68% using it daily. AirPods are also frequently used, with 56% of users using them daily. The external keyboard is used less frequently, with 38% of users using it daily. The external trackpad is the least commonly used accessory, with only 11% of users using it daily, and 69% rarely or never using it.
45% of MacBook Users Have Reported Slow Performance of Their System
Around 45% of users experience slowdowns, often due to updates, multitasking, or aging hardware. Many turn to optimization tools or hardware upgrades to improve performance.
Only 10% of MacBook Users Turn to Apple Support When They Encounter a Problem With Their Device
As per our survey, only 10% of MacBook users contact Apple support when they encounter a problem with their devices.
The percentage of MacBook users who turn to Apple Support when they encounter a problem with their device is relatively low. This is likely due to several factors, including the availability of self-support resources, the lack of awareness of Apple Support, and the fear of high costs.
Among respondents who have used Apple’s customer service for their MacBook, the average rating of their experience was 4.0 out of 5, indicating a generally positive experience.
65% of MacBook Users Have Not Had to Have Their MacBook Repaired
A striking 65% of respondents indicated they’ve never had to send their MacBook in for repairs. This highlights the robustness and reliability of MacBooks.
However, 30% of MacBook users have experienced hardware issues with their devices. This implies that while MacBooks are generally reliable and durable, some users do encounter hardware problems.
85% of MacBook Users Would Recommend a Mac to a Friend
An impressive 85% of MacBook users are satisfied with their device and would recommend it to others. This loyalty reflects the positive MacBook experience for most users.
Future purchase intentions also show strong brand loyalty: 75% plan to buy another MacBook as their next laptop, and 80% would choose one if purchasing today. Users highlight the operating system (48%) and design (30%) as top reasons for their preference.
However, 20% of users would consider other brands, showing that competition still exists in the laptop market.
