All the AI craze is spurring the growth of AI PCs. According to Gartner, global shipments of AI PCs are expected to hit 114 million units in 2025. That’s an increase of 165.5 percent from the 43 million units predicted for 2024.
AI PCs are PCs that come with an embedded neural processing unit (NPU). They can be desktop PCs or laptops with NPUs attached to Windows on Arm, macOS on Arm, or x86 on Windows PCs.
In this year’s Computex, a number of companies announced their flavour of AI PCs. These IT companies include Acer, Asus, Dell, Gigabyte, HP, LG, MSI, and Samsung.
“The debate has moved from speculating which PCs might include AI functionality, to the expectation that most PCs will eventually integrate AI NPU capabilities. As a result, NPU will become a standard feature for PC vendors,” said Ranjit Atwal, Senior Director Analyst of Gartner.
Gartner forecasts AI PCs to account for 43 percent of all PC shipments by 2025, up from 17 percent in 2024.
Demand for AI laptops is expected to be higher than that of AI desktops, with shipments of AI laptops to account for 51 percent of total laptops in 2025.
Even more remarkable is the research firm’s prediction that AI laptops will be the only choice of laptop available to large businesses by 2026.
“As the PC market moves from non-AI PCs to AI PCs, x-86 dominance will reduce over time, especially in the consumer AI laptop market, as Arm-based AI laptops will grab more share from Windows x86 AI and non-AI laptops. However, in 2025, Windows x86-based AI laptops will lead the business segment,” said Atwal.
So, it’s a matter of which rather than why businesses should start buying AI PCs.
“However, businesses are unlikely to pay a premium for AI features but will purchase AI PCs for future proofing and because this is their only choice that offers a more secure and private computing environment,” said Atwal.
Photo: Asus Copilot+ PC from Asus website
Entelechy Asia 