In the third quarter of 2024, the global AI PC market performed strongly, with Canalys data showing shipments reaching 13.3 million units, accounting for 20% of total PC shipments, a year-on-year increase of 49%. Windows devices surpass other systems for the first time, accounting for 53% of the AI-function PC market. This growth is driven by Windows 11 updates, processor upgrades, and the launch of new generation AI chips such as the Snapdragon X series, AMD Ryzen AI300 series and Intel Lunar Lake series. However, the market is also facing challenges, consumers' acceptance of edge AI applications needs to be improved, and channel vendors' sales expectations for AI PCs are also relatively conservative.
Data released by Canalys shows that in the third quarter of 2024, global AI PC shipments reached 13.3 million units, accounting for 20% of total PC shipments for the first time. The so-called AI PC refers to desktop computers and laptops equipped with chipsets or modules that specialize in handling artificial intelligence workloads, such as NPUs (neural network processing unit). As the supply of such devices continues to increase, AI PC shipments have increased by 49% year-on-year.
It is worth noting that Windows devices surpass other systems for the first time in AI-capable PC shipments, accounting for 53% of the market share. While the update of Windows 11 and the upgrade plan for processors provide a good opportunity for AI PC promotion, the main challenge facing the industry is how to convince consumers to prepare for the upcoming edge AI applications.
Ishan Dutt, chief analyst at Canalys, said that in the third quarter, the pace of AI PC development remained strong. Co pilot+ PC equipped with Snapdragon X series chips ushered in its first full supply season. AMD also launched the Ryzen AI300 series, while Intel released the Lunar Lake series. However, the two x86 chip makers are still waiting for Microsoft to provide support for its Co pilot+ PC, with the update expected to be launched this month.
According to Canalys survey, 31% of channel partners do not plan to sell Co pilot+ PCs in 2025, and 34% believe that such devices will not account for more than 10% of their PC sales next year. With the end of Windows 10 services, the coming quarters will be a critical time to facilitate the upgrade of a large number of legacy devices to AI PCs.
Points:
In the third quarter of 2024, AI PC shipments reached 13.3 million units, accounting for 20% of total PC shipments.
Windows devices account for 53% of the market share in AI-capable PCs for the first time.
AI PC has huge market potential, and upgrading old devices to AI PCs will become an important opportunity in the future.
All in all, the AI PC market is growing rapidly, but it still faces challenges. In the future, manufacturers need to strengthen communication with consumers and seize the upgrade opportunities brought by the end of Windows 10 service in order to further promote the popularization of AI PCs.