Microsoft's popularity rises among younger generation

by Matthew Mills

May 20, 2018, 11:55 PM

Microsoft's popularity rises among younger generation

YouGov constantly monitors something called a BrandIndex. This sort of survey interviews thousands of consumers every day to track how popular a brand is not just over long periods of time but over weeks and days as well. The company's new numbers show popularity for Microsoft has reached a two year high. This is especially true for consumers between the ages of 18 and 35. This age group has scored the tech giant a 44. The next highest age group gave Microsoft a 39. A score of 44 is worlds away from this time last year, where the company had fallen just below 35. The fondness of Microsoft in this age range may seem to be the opposite of what many may think. When people think of the younger generation, they mostly think of iPads and iPhones and other more trendy brands. The numbers here show an increasing number of young people are learning to appreciate the software and devices Microsoft is bringing to the table.

Why are younger people warming up to Microsoft?

Chances are it is not because of Windows Phone. The graph shows a sharp increase in the last two months. Some contribute this to two major events recently. The release of the Windows Spring Creator's update (Redstone 4), and the major reorganization over at Microsoft. This seems a little less intuitive though when you consider how many devices are on the Spring update so far, and how many average consumers even know Microsoft is changing its hierarchy. There are some other factors which may be more applicable to the rise in popularity, such as Microsoft presenting some of its best products across platforms and what people in this age group are doing daily.

Microsoft has put a lot of effort into making its software and best features not just available, but working very well across all platforms. IOS and Android devices have a lot of options from Microsoft, and with Microsoft's focus on the cloud, these apps sync better than many of their counterparts. This also introduces a lot of consumers who are phone or tablet-focused to Microsoft, where before they had little use or interaction with anything the company makes. There may be an argument in there somewhere for the popularity of Surface products, but the numbers fluctuate too much throughout the period for that to be taken seriously.

Finally, you have to look at what this age group is doing. The first half includes a lot of college students. This means people are using technology. They are using Word, Powerpoint, OneNote, and Excel. Their work is being stored and shared via the cloud. Whether you are in the classroom, or a virtual classroom this applies across the board. Sure, there are other suites that compete such as Google Docs, but the numbers show most schools use Office 365. Many colleges provide this free of charge to the students and this means these younger people are using Microsoft software daily. The second half is entering the workforce and they are using computers. The majority of them are using Windows and other Microsoft software every day on the job. The older generations may not have had these experiences in the past and so they are less likely to embrace it. But Microsoft has improved Windows as well as its other programs and the people who are using it day in and day out are responding positively. Overall, it is probably the huge push across platforms that is giving the company a boost. Consumers like when their stuff works no matter what they are using and most do not like the turf battles that sometimes occur in different ecosystems. This makes Microsoft a very friendly company.

source: YouGov

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33 Comments

25. MarmiteTheDog

Posts: 192; Member since: Jul 31, 2017

Maybe younger people associate with the Microsoft Cloud adverts narrated by a young man with a hideous Californian accent?

posted on May 21, 2018, 8:47 PM 0

20. tokuzumi

Posts: 2029; Member since: Aug 27, 2009

Having used all 3 major computer operating systems (Windows, Linux, Mac OS), I'd rather go with Windows. Linux has it's benefits, but it's not designed for general end users. If you can get by with what is loaded onto LInux during the install for the entire duration of your use, you are set. But good luck if you are trying to install programs, and find them later on. Everything is command based. Not bashing Linux, but unless you spend a lot of time learning commands and scouring the internet on how to do basic things, Linux is going to be difficult to use. Mac OS has always been weird for me to use. The one button mouse thing was awkward to use. I know you can use a traditional mouse, but just not for me. Plus, Apple hardware is usually more expensive. If you are just a casual user of a computer, there's no reason to spend ~$2k on an all in one computer.

posted on May 21, 2018, 8:37 AM 1

22. jessedegenerate

Posts: 6; Member since: Feb 10, 2013

do you have any idea who uses what parts? Know the difference between ECC ram and Ram? a PCiE ssd vs one on a sata bus? Linux is CLI? oh gnome and KDE and ice and all those other desktop managers should be informed. The mac hasn't had a one button mouse for 20 years. Please stop giving anyone advice about computers.

posted on May 21, 2018, 10:55 AM 0

23. BuffaloSouce unregistered

Take your own advice and quit being so salty

posted on May 21, 2018, 12:28 PM 1

33. tokuzumi

Posts: 2029; Member since: Aug 27, 2009

Show me how easy it is to use Linux. Detail the process of installing a driver for a new device you connect to the computer. Last I recall, I haven't seen manufacturers of device peripherals include Linux drivers on their CD ROM, or offer them on their website.

posted on May 22, 2018, 8:38 AM 0

16. LikeMyself

Posts: 631; Member since: Sep 23, 2013

Microsoft Office is used by billion dollar companies & it's best at what it was made for. No question everyone use it

posted on May 21, 2018, 6:24 AM 1

14. Nimbus

Posts: 442; Member since: Apr 02, 2018

Well this is awesome,hope msft can make a similar dent in mobile market,i'm really sick of Google dominance everywhere,there are literally no choices left for alternatives,apple just keep screwing consumers with removal of basic stuff on Macbook,iMac and iphone with high prices.i really want msft to make a comeback after that baldy steve ballmer got fired ruining msft dream,ambition to polarize smartphones market with that of his stupid decision,planning of rebooting windows phones everytime not making it backward compatible with their previous os and making it late for msft to come up with a relevant smartphone os with apps ecosystem.Msft has every potential to challenge,compete against google android, chrome os & very soon vs fushcia os too.msft is really making goods apps but people love to tame them not able to update it up its apps or making it available.

posted on May 21, 2018, 4:52 AM 1

9. GiorgosAK

Posts: 2; Member since: Jan 16, 2017

Great news!!!

posted on May 21, 2018, 2:29 AM 0

7. Chuck007

Posts: 1421; Member since: Mar 02, 2014

Part of the reason is a little thing called Xbox perhaps? Go, look it up.

posted on May 21, 2018, 2:14 AM 1

3. GreenMan

Posts: 2704; Member since: Nov 09, 2015

Windows 10 to blame, I'd say! I just wish Microsoft simplify the OS a tad bit, brush-up the rough edges and bring it inline with The OSX. I mean; it's kinda weird having TWO control panels, innit? Now, techies might love it; but for a mere mortal like me; it's... Dead weight! Speaking of Techies; WHERE IS TECHIE (Not Waldo) with his long, boring but often 'insightful' essays? Has his account been terminated or what? Anyone? I sincerely hope that lad is okay... G'Day!

posted on May 21, 2018, 1:22 AM 5

6. SIGPRO

Posts: 2819; Member since: Oct 03, 2012

MacOS simple? Hell no, setting/options are not in a logical place and the OS itself has some issues. Btw you know you can hide the Windows control panel right? Windows is a simple OS

posted on May 21, 2018, 2:09 AM 3

11. GreenMan

Posts: 2704; Member since: Nov 09, 2015

That's YOUR opinion, Monseigneur. I've my doubts about The iOS, but none when it comes to Mac OS. It's a polished, refined piece of software that's absolutely beautiful to look, even gaze at! Windows 10 is just... Too dark, too gloomy, too dull and too black for my taste, and that's coming from a man who love black! G'Day!

posted on May 21, 2018, 2:39 AM 3

12. SIGPRO

Posts: 2819; Member since: Oct 03, 2012

Too dark, too gloomy, too dull and too black?? You know you can customize as you want?

posted on May 21, 2018, 3:23 AM 2

29. audibot

Posts: 689; Member since: Jan 26, 2017

really apples os is crazy trying to find anything items dont even look like what they are and with windows i can at least type in a search or ask it to search

posted on May 21, 2018, 9:36 PM 0

1. SIGPRO

Posts: 2819; Member since: Oct 03, 2012

Logic, why use an expensive MacBook for example while a Windows laptop can do more for less.

posted on May 21, 2018, 1:00 AM 12

2. worldpeace

Posts: 3135; Member since: Apr 15, 2016

Because of glowing apple logo?

posted on May 21, 2018, 1:19 AM 10

15. Shubham412302

Posts: 596; Member since: Nov 09, 2011

In the latest models it does not even glow

posted on May 21, 2018, 6:13 AM 4

4. GreenMan

Posts: 2704; Member since: Nov 09, 2015

Because of seamlessness and simplicity?

posted on May 21, 2018, 1:23 AM 4

8. Finalflash

Posts: 4063; Member since: Jul 23, 2013

Tell that to the people with keyboards broken by dust and an emoji bar which still has no professional use. Seamlessness and simplicity may have described Apple a while ago, now it's gimmicks and stupidity.

posted on May 21, 2018, 2:20 AM 14

10. GreenMan

Posts: 2704; Member since: Nov 09, 2015

Emoji bar? Really? Come-on laddie; give Apple some leeway for being bolder! Apple was the first company to abandon floppy drives, serial port, parallel port, PS/2 port, those gigantic USB ports, 3.5mm jacks and... Whatnot! Rumor has it that Apple might even ditch "3D Touch" with the upcoming iPhones, something that Apple pioneered itself! To go forward; you've to shed some weight, mate. DEAD WEIGHT! Like a bloody space rocket! That's not to say that Apple is a ROCKET compared to the competition but you get the picture, eh? G'day!

posted on May 21, 2018, 2:33 AM 3

19. Settings

Posts: 2943; Member since: Jul 02, 2014

Yeah giving away those ports in exchange for endless dongles. Apple is so simple it's so unpractical.

posted on May 21, 2018, 8:21 AM 5

26. audibot

Posts: 689; Member since: Jan 26, 2017

dead weight like apple

posted on May 21, 2018, 9:28 PM 0

5. phil2n

Posts: 519; Member since: Apr 30, 2012

It's because people will always bite on every gimmick devices that contains apples on top.

posted on May 21, 2018, 1:53 AM 4

13. piyath

Posts: 2445; Member since: Mar 23, 2012

That's because Windows OS sucks in so many ways compared to Mac OS, just plain and simple. It lags, it restarts, it updates without notice, it interrupts all the time, it has no useful Apps etc etc... Mainstream consumer maybe stupid compared to a nerd but they also have to have a computer in their house, they always go for Mac computers if they have enough money.

posted on May 21, 2018, 3:43 AM 5

24. mootu

Posts: 1541; Member since: Mar 16, 2017

You do know that the number of Windows users is larger than IOS and OSX combined.

posted on May 21, 2018, 6:58 PM 0

27. audibot

Posts: 689; Member since: Jan 26, 2017

when was the last pc you got windows 10 has no issues and is amazing

posted on May 21, 2018, 9:30 PM 0

17. path45th

Posts: 407; Member since: Sep 11, 2016

Mac is not expensive because it’s cost effective. My Mac is still working well and fast after seven years and I never had to fix anything. And after seven years I can still sell it for 600 dollars, at least in my country. I’m not planning to sell it but if I do I could buy one of those “more for less” but I doubt a 600 dollar computer would last more than a year or two. I actually have the feeling that my Mac can still go for at least 4 more years and there are things I can do to make it better like upgrading the ram from the current 4GB to 16 or install a SSD drive. And by the way I spent 1300 dollars for my Mac and it’s just fsntastic that after 7 years I can still sell it for so much. Try to do that with a “more for less”

posted on May 21, 2018, 6:39 AM 0

18. bucky

Posts: 3797; Member since: Sep 30, 2009

I agree with everything you said. I have a late 2014 MacBook Pro retina that has not asked for a single thing since the day I bought it. Fast and fluid. It’s easily going to go for another 2-3 years without touching it. The new MacBooks I have a harder time defending though. No ports, the keyboard and higher prices are hard to justify. Windows 10 on my gaming pc has been a horrible experience though. My brother actually went so far as to put windows 8.1 Pro back on his.

posted on May 21, 2018, 8:10 AM 0

28. audibot

Posts: 689; Member since: Jan 26, 2017

hahahha i have a laptops and pcs at work that are 15 years old running windows xp that can do more than your mac now and i can stick a ssd and alittle ram and afew things in her and still have her run for years

posted on May 21, 2018, 9:33 PM 0

30. path45th

Posts: 407; Member since: Sep 11, 2016

You’ve missed my point. Old pc laptops would sell for 10 dollars. Macs sell for several hundred of dollars. My Mac still receives the latest MacOS unlike yours that is stuck in XP. That’s the difference with Macs. They retain their value a lot better. And the apps I use on Mac do not exist on pc’s so it not possibly to do more on a PC. You also forget that Windows can be installed on a Mac. I run Windows 10 so I can do everything Windows has to offer and more than your old XP.

posted on May 22, 2018, 12:30 AM 0

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