Worldwide shipments of AI (artificial intelligence)-powered PCs (personal computers) are projected to reach 114 million units in 2025, an increase of 165.5 per cent from 2024, according to a forecast from Gartner. 

According to the company, these AI PCs will represent 43 per cent of all PC shipments by 2025, up from 17 per cent in 2024. AI PC shipments are expected to reach 43 million units in 2024, double from the numbers reported in 2023.

On the other hand, the demand for AI laptops is projected to be higher than that of AI desktops, with shipments of AI laptops to account for 51 per cent of total laptops in 2025. 

Gartner defines AI PCs as one with an embedded neural processing unit (NPU) and uses this classification for the forecast. AI PCs include PCs with NPUs attached to Windows on Arm, macOS on Arm and x86 on Windows PCs. 

“The debate has moved from speculating which PCs might include AI functionality, to the expectation that most PCs will eventually integrate AI NPU capabilities,” said Ranjit Atwal, Sr Director Analyst at Gartner. “As a result, NPU will become a standard feature for PC vendors.” 

Gartner predicts that by 2026, AI laptops will be the only laptop choice available to large businesses, up from less than 5 per cent in 2023. 

“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,” said Atwal. “However, in 2025, Windows x86-based AI laptops will lead the business segment.” 

“The question for businesses is which AI PC to buy rather than should they buy one,” said Atwal. “However, businesses are unlikely to pay a premium for AI features but will purchase AI PCs for futureproofing and because this is their only choice that offers a more secure and private computing environment.” 

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