While AI PCs are enjoying a surge in popularity, a new report from the International Data Corporation (IDC) reveals that the AI features themselves aren’t the main driver behind sales. Instead, it’s the traditional PC refresh cycle and the desire for powerful, future-proof devices that are fueling the demand.
Despite efforts by companies like Microsoft to highlight the benefits of generative AI for everyday workflows, the IDC believes consumers aren’t swayed by these AI-specific features. People need new PCs regularly, and with many of the latest laptops boasting AI capabilities, consumers are naturally gravitating towards these available options. As the IDC aptly stated, “While AI has been a buzzword of late, it has yet to be a purchase driver among PC buyers.”
This doesn’t negate the future potential of AI in the PC market. However, many businesses are still struggling to identify immediate applications for the technology, and consumers haven’t fully embraced the idea of AI and its accompanying Neural Processing Unit (NPU) being essential for their computing needs.
Ironically, the lack of immediate demand might not matter in the long run. AI PCs represent some of the most powerful and future-proof devices currently available, making them an appealing option even for users who aren’t particularly interested in artificial intelligence. The IDC predicts that AI PCs will experience moderate growth in the short term but will ultimately become the dominant type of PC due to their inherent advantages. Producing processors without NPUs will eventually become impractical, driven by the industry’s focus on AI-powered devices.
Another factor contributing to the PC refresh cycle is the impending end of support for Windows 10 next year. This is expected to drive a wave of upgrades among commercial customers, with some businesses potentially making the switch to Mac. This presents an opportunity for Apple to increase its market share from 9.1% to 10.2% by 2026, according to the IDC report.
Tablets might also experience a temporary surge in growth due to the advancements in recent models, featuring upgraded chips, larger screens, and improved connectivity. However, the IDC believes the long-term prospects for tablets remain flat as powerful smartphones continue to catch up in terms of capabilities, and PCs maintain their lead in terms of performance.
In essence, the current popularity of AI PCs might not be directly driven by the AI technology itself, but rather by the desire for powerful and future-proof devices. As AI development progresses and real-world use cases emerge, the demand for AI-powered PCs is likely to increase significantly, ultimately leading to a future where AI becomes an integral part of the PC landscape.
