AI-capable PC shipments hit 13.3 million units in Q3 2024, accounting for 20 per cent of all PC shipments during the quarter, according to new data from Canalys.
The analyst firm defines AI-capable PCs as desktops and notebooks that include a chipset or block for dedicated AI workloads such as an NPU.
The ramp-up in the availability of such devices led to a sequential growth of 49 per cent for this new category of PCs. Windows devices accounted for a majority of AI-capable PC shipments for the first time, capturing a 53 per cent share.
While the Windows 11 refresh cycle and processor roadmaps will continue to drive penetration, Canalys said that a key challenge moving forward will be to convince customers to future-proof for a boom in on-device AI use cases.
Ishan Dutt, principal analyst at Canalys, commented, “Progress along AI-capable PC roadmaps maintained a strong pace in Q3 2024. Copilot+ PCs equipped with Snapdragon X series chips enjoyed their first full quarter of availability while AMD brought Ryzen AI 300 products to the market and Intel officially launched its Lunar Lake series.
“However, both x86 chipset vendors are still awaiting Copilot+ PC support for their offerings from Microsoft which is expected to arrive this month.”
Channel partners not yet convinced
Dutt explained that, despite this positive momentum, “significant work must still be done to convince both channel partners and end customers of the benefits of AI-capable PCs.”
He added, “This is especially true for more premium offerings such as Copilot+ PCs, which Microsoft requires to have at least 40 NPU TOPS alongside other hardware specifications. A November poll of channel partners revealed that 31 per cent do not plan to sell Copilot+ PCs in 2025, while a further 34 per cent expect such devices to account for less than 10 per cent of their PC sales next year.
“With the Windows 10 end-of-support now less than a year away, the coming quarters represent a critical opportunity to drive a significant portion of an aged installed based to be upgraded to an AI-capable PC.”