One in five PCs now has an AI accelerator, but that’s not why people buy them

Shipments of desktop and mobile computers with accelerators for artificial intelligence applications reached 13.2 units in the third quarter of 2024, accounting for 20% of all PC shipments during the period, according to Canalys estimates. In the second quarter, shipments of such computers amounted to 8.8 million units.

Image source: Microsoft

It is immediately worth noting that Canalys analysts include all desktop and mobile computers equipped with a specialized AI accelerator NPU or “its equivalent” as “AI-compatible” personal computers. Thus, this category includes not only Copilot+PC systems on the latest AMD, Intel and Qualcomm chips, but also Windows computers on previous generation Intel and AMD chips, as well as all Apple Macs on M-series processors.

Image source: Canalys

Windows systems accounted for more than half (53%) of AI PC shipments in the third quarter, while Apple’s share fell to 47%, according to fresh analysis from Canalys. In the second quarter, Apple was the leader with 59% of shipments of AI-enabled systems, while Windows systems accounted for 41% of shipments.

Despite progress in the development of AI-enabled PCs, manufacturers still have to convince buyers that buying such a system, which often costs more, is worth it. Some observers argue that the rise in shipments of such computers is not necessarily due to the fact that people are looking for PCs with AI. It’s just that many modern systems are initially equipped with an AI accelerator.

Image source: Canalys

Canalys chief analyst Ishan Dutt said a November survey of PC companies found that 31% had no plans to sell Copilot+PC systems in the next year, and 34% of respondents expected such devices to account for less than a tenth part of total sales in 2025. To receive the coveted Copilot+PC designation, Microsoft requires PC manufacturers to have an AI engine (NPU) capable of at least 40 TOPS (trillion operations per second).

Either way, shipments and sales of AI-enabled PCs should increase in the coming months as Windows 10’s non-AI support end date is less than a year away. According to StatCounter, Windows 10 still holds more than 60% of the Windows desktop PC market worldwide. With support ending, many consumers will upgrade to new Windows 11 PCs in 2025.