Canalys: AI-equipped PC shipments to reach 15.4 million units in the fourth quarter of 2024

The latest Canalys data shows that in the fourth quarter of 2024, shipments of PCs with AI capabilities reached 15.4 million units, accounting for 23% of all PC shipments in the quarter. PCs with AI capabilities are defined as desktops and notebooks that include chipsets or modules for dedicated AI workloads (such as NPUs). The increase in the supply of such devices has led to an 18% month-on-month increase in shipments of such PCs. For the full year 2024, 17% of PC shipments will have AI capabilities, with Apple being the biggest winner, with 54% of the market share, followed by Lenovo and HP, each with 12%. The update cycle triggered by the end of Windows 10 support will continue to drive market penetration in 2025.

“AI-enabled PCs continue to gain momentum in commercial deployments in late 2024, with vendors launching enterprise-focused initiatives and products,” said Canalys analyst Kieren Jessop. “Intel dominates the high-end market, with Lunar Lake-based devices qualifying for Copilot+ PCs, but costing more than its main x86 competitor AMD, which straddles the high-end and mid-range markets. Qualcomm is similarly differentiating its product line, with plans to bring its X-series processors to notebooks in the $600 price range. Apple has also seen price cuts on older Macs, helping to boost its commercial market share, especially in emerging markets.”

"As the Windows 10 end of support deadline approaches, it is becoming a major catalyst for renewal among partners," Jessop added.

According to a January survey of channel partners, one-third believe that Windows 10 end of support is the main driver of customer upgrade decisions in 2025. Many partners expect their customers' upgrades to take place in the second half of 2025. Upcoming changes in U.S. trade policy could disrupt a market that accounts for about one-third of global PC shipments and could hinder the upcoming business refresh cycle and dampen an already weak consumer outlook. As of now, the Trump administration has imposed a 10% tariff on all imports from China, the main source of notebook exports to the United States.