---
title: "Laptop Computers Now Roughly as Popular as Desktops"
description: "Nearly as many American adults now own a laptop computer as own a desktop computer."
date: "2011-03-02"
authors:
  - name: "Russell Heimlich"
    job_title: "Former web developer"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2011/03/02/laptop-computers-now-roughly-as-popular-as-desktops/"
categories:
  - "Comparison of Generations"
---

# Laptop Computers Now Roughly as Popular as Desktops

In 2006, just roughly a third of Americans owned a laptop computer, while nearly twice as many owned a desktop computer. By 2010, the popularity gap between laptops and desktops had nearly disappeared, as 52% of adults owned a laptop and 59% owned a desktop.Desktop computers are most popular with adults ages 35-65, with 69% of Gen X, 65% of Younger Boomers and 64% of Older Boomers owning these devices. Still, a 61%-majority of Gen X members owns a laptop, as do nearly half of Young Boomers (49%). Millennials are the only generation that is more likely to own a laptop computer or netbook than a desktop: 70% own a laptop, compared with 57% who own a desktop. [Read More](https://www.pewresearch.org/pubs/1879/gadgets-generations-cell-phones-laptops-desktop-comupter)