TLDR: A new report from Gartner predicts that worldwide shipments of AI-enabled personal computers will reach 77.8 million units by the end of 2025, constituting 31% of the total global PC market. This marks a significant increase from previous years, with projections indicating that AI PCs will become the standard in personal computing by 2029. Despite this growth, adoption in 2025 is expected to be tempered by market uncertainties and tariffs.
According to a recent study by research firm Gartner, the global market for personal computers is set for a significant transformation with the rise of AI-enabled PCs. The report forecasts that shipments of AI PCs, defined by their integrated hardware components and software stacks, including Neural Processing Units (NPUs), will hit 77.8 million units in 2025. This volume is expected to represent 31% of the worldwide PC market, a substantial leap from just 15.6% in the previous year .
Looking further ahead, Gartner analysts project an even more dominant role for AI PCs, with shipments anticipated to reach 143 million units in 2026, accounting for 55% of the total PC market. The firm also suggests that by 2029, AI PCs will evolve from a niche segment to become the standard within the personal computing landscape .
However, the adoption rate in 2025 is facing some headwinds. Ranjit Atwal, Senior Director Analyst at Gartner, noted, “AI PCs are reshaping the market, but their adoption in 2025 is slowing because of tariffs and pauses in PC buying caused by market uncertainty.” Atwal emphasized that the future of AI PCs lies in customization, allowing users to configure their devices with desired applications, features, and functions. He added, “To unlock new growth, PC vendors must move beyond hardware and deliver software-defined, user-centric AI PCs designed for specific roles and use cases” .
The report also delves into market segment specifics, indicating that AI-powered laptops are expected to gain a larger share within the laptop segment compared to desktops. In 2025, AI-equipped laptops are projected to represent 35.7% of the total laptop market, while AI desktop PCs are expected to constitute 16.4% of the desktop segment. In the business sector, x86 on Windows is anticipated to make up 71% of the AI business laptop market in 2025, with Arm-based systems accounting for 24% .
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Major players in the tech industry, including Dell and HP, along with leading chipmakers, are reportedly making aggressive investments in this burgeoning category. HP, for instance, recently reported double-digit sequential revenue growth in the artificial intelligence-powered personal computers category during its quarterly results . This aggressive investment underscores the industry’s belief in the long-term potential of AI PCs to redefine user experience and productivity.
