Global AI PC Shipments Set to Surge to 114 Million by 2025

According to a recent forecast by Gartner, Inc., worldwide shipments of AI PCs are projected to reach 114 million units by 2025, marking a dramatic 165.5% increase from 2024. Gartner defines AI PCs as those equipped with an embedded neural processing unit (NPU), encompassing PCs running on Windows on Arm, macOS on Arm, and x86-based Windows PCs.

The forecast indicates a robust growth trajectory for AI PCs, with shipments expected to total 43 million units in 2024, a 99.8% increase from 2023. This trend is detailed in Gartner’s latest report, which also highlights the breakdown of AI PC shipments:

Table 1: AI PC Shipments Worldwide, 2023-2025 (Thousands of Units)

Ranjit Atwal, Sr. Director Analyst at Gartner, remarks, “The discussion has shifted from whether PCs will include AI functionality to the expectation that AI NPU capabilities will become a standard feature in most PCs.” He predicts that by 2025, AI PCs will account for 43% of all PC shipments, a significant rise from 17% in 2024. AI laptops are anticipated to dominate, making up 51% of all laptops shipped in 2025.

Looking ahead, Gartner forecasts that by 2026, AI laptops will become the primary choice for large businesses, a sharp increase from less than 5% in 2023. Atwal notes, “As the PC market transitions from non-AI to AI PCs, the dominance of x86 architecture will diminish, particularly in the consumer segment where Arm-based AI laptops will capture a larger share. However, Windows x86-based AI laptops will continue to lead in the business sector.”

Businesses are increasingly recognizing the importance of AI and generative AI (GenAI) in shaping their future technology landscape. Atwal adds, “For businesses, the decision is not whether to purchase an AI PC, but which one to choose. While businesses may not be willing to pay a premium for AI features, they will invest in AI PCs for future-proofing and to ensure a more secure and private computing environment.”