According to the latest Canalys data, 8.8 million AI-capable PCs – 14% the total – were shipped in Q2 2024. With AI-capable PC roadmaps now well underway, the analyst said that the stage is set for a significant ramp-up in device availability and end-user adoption in the second half of 2024 and beyond.
► 14% – or one in seven – PCs shipped in Q2 2024 had some AI capability
► Stage set for significant ramp-up in 2H
Significant expansion of the availability of AI-capable PCs and the launch of Copilot+ PCs incorporating Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X series of chips, contributed to the rise from 7% in Q1.
AI-capable PC shipments are poised to gain further traction in the second half of 2024 said the firm. It also reported that channel partners are signalling a preference for AI-related features in PCs, with close to 60% of respondents in a May poll indicating that they expect customers to favour devices with a Copilot key.
The expectation is that around 44 million units will ship across 2024 and 103 million units in 2025, according to Canalys forecasts.
AI-capable PCs have already boosted sales growth of premium offerings. Shipments of Windows PC in the $800-plus price range grew 9% sequentially in Q2 2024, with AI-capable PC shipments in the same price band up 126%. It expects AI-capability to be an important factor over the next 12 months as a significant portion of the installed base will be refreshed as part of the ongoing Windows upgrade cycle.
Canalys defines AI devices as desktops and notebooks that include a chipset or block for dedicated AI workloads, such as an NPU.
