A recent report from Canalys, a technology market analytics firm, revealed that about 8.8 million AI-capable PCs were shipped globally in the second quarter of 2024, and theappleof Mac Computers accounted for 60% of that share.
This data shows that Apple continues to lead the market for AI-capable PCs. Additionally, Windows PC shipments of AI-capable PCs in the $800+ market grew from 71 TP3T in Q1 2024 to 141 TP3T in Q2. is this a result of increased consumer interest in computers with AI processing power, or is AI capability becoming a standard feature of PCs?
What is an "AI-capable PC"? As defined by Canalys, an AI-capable PC is a desktop or laptop with a specialized chipset or module that can handle native AI workloads. As an example, AMD's XDNA, Apple's Neural Engine, Intel's AI Boost and Qualcomm's Hexagon are typical specialized chips.
That said, many may wonder if "AI capability" is just a marketing gimmick. This issue has always been controversial. Some argue that AI workloads are not really new, and that what has changed is only the type of workload; while others point out that modern AI workloads exceed the processing power of traditional CPUs and GPUs, and require specialized Neural Processing Units (NPUs) to support them. So while marketing exists, consumer needs are evolving as technology advances.
Ever since Apple started using the M-series chips in November 2020, the Neural Engine has come with its products, and consumers are essentially getting AI capabilities by default when they buy a Mac. For Windows, which uses x86 processors, AI support has been gradually increasing, but it's mostly limited to high-end products.
So is the increase in shipments from Q1 to Q2 a result of changing market demand, or is it because more and more chips are integrating NPUs?In reality, it's both. As organizations upgrade older hardware, they are looking to buy devices that can handle future applications, hence the increased focus on AI capabilities. And as the number of NPU-equipped systems increases in the $800+ market, this is contributing to the popularity of AI capabilities.
Meanwhile, Microsoft is playing an equally important role in this upgrade cycle. With the launch of its C o p i l o t AI chatbot, Microsoft is also pushing for the popularization of AI technology, allowing for more rapid adoption of NPUs. With the growing popularity of AI workloads, NPU-equipped PCs will become the norm in the future, which means we're likely to see more AI capabilities implemented in a variety of devices.