Indonesia’s device market is not moving in a single direction. While tablets have edged ahead of desktop PCs in national penetration, the latest APJII data shows that the desktop is still far from irrelevant, especially among working-age users.
The difference is not about one device replacing the other. It is about how age, education, and income continue to split the market into distinct usage patterns.
Gen Z gives tablets a narrow lead
The clearest shift appears among Gen Z, where tablets post 3.0% penetration and desktop PCs stand slightly lower at 2.8%. That gap suggests a preference for portable screens that fit entertainment and mobile-first habits.
For millennials, the picture changes. Desktop PCs rise to 3.6%, while tablets sit at 2.3%, showing that the more traditional form factor still has stronger appeal in this group.
Across Generation X and baby boomers, desktop PCs continue to retain room in the market. Their endurance is closely tied to the familiarity and ergonomics of a fixed desk-based setup.
Education keeps desktop demand alive
Education level also separates the two device categories. Among respondents with a university degree, desktop PCs reach 5.0%, compared with 3.2% for tablets.
The only clear tie appears in the junior high school group, where both devices sit at 1.9%. At the other end of the spectrum, the gap becomes much wider among those who did not finish elementary school.
In that segment, desktop PCs record 4.2%, while tablets are at just 0.7%. The numbers point to a sharp divide in how different education groups access and use secondary devices.
Income strengthens the case for stationary devices
Monthly income also shapes device preference, and the pattern moves in a fairly linear direction. Higher purchasing power tends to support devices that are more capable for heavier computing tasks.
That helps explain why desktop PCs remain closely associated with productivity use. Tablets, by contrast, continue to fit more practical needs, especially for content consumption and mobility.
Two devices, two separate roles
APJII’s 2026 figures show that talk of tablets fully replacing desktops has not become reality. Instead, both devices have settled into different market niches in Indonesia.
Tablets are stronger among younger users and entry-level segments looking for a more portable multimedia screen. Desktop PCs remain the stronger option for heavier work, particularly among graduates and higher-income users.
The broader picture is still dominated by smartphones, which account for 84.31% of internet access. Even so, the competition between tablets and desktops remains an important signal of how digital habits are changing across the country.