With AI PCs surging ahead, shipments are expected to double to 77.8 million in 2025, hitting 31% of the PC market as customisation and on-device AI redefine computing.
Artificial intelligence-enabled personal computers (PCs) are forecast to make up 31% of worldwide PC shipments by the end of 2025, according to new figures from Gartner. That equates to 77.8 million units, a sharp rise from 38.1 million units in 2024, when AI PCs held just 15.6% of the market.
“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,” said Ranjit Atwal, senior director analyst at Gartner.
“Nevertheless, users will invest in AI PCs to ensure they are prepared for the growing integration of AI at the edge,” he said.
The momentum is expected to accelerate in 2026. Shipments of AI PCs are projected to reach 143 million units, accounting for 54.7% of the overall PC market. By 2029, the report predicts AI PCs will dominate as the standard device type.
The shift is visible across both laptops and desktops. AI laptops are expected to represent 35.7% of the laptop market in 2025, up from 19.4% in 2024. Desktops will rise to 16.4%, compared with 3.8% last year.
Adoption patterns differ by customer group. Consumers are leaning towards Arm-based laptops, as compatibility barriers decline. Businesses remain more cautious, with x86 on Windows projected to secure 71% of the AI business laptop segment in 2025, while Arm holds 24%.
The software ecosystem is also evolving. Gartner forecasts that by 2026, 40% of software vendors will prioritise AI capabilities on PCs, up from 2% in 2024. The rollout of small language models (SLMs) running locally will further enhance performance, cut reliance on cloud services, and strengthen data privacy.
“The future of AI PCs is in customisation,” Atwal added. Vendors, he argued, must deliver software-driven devices that adapt to user needs, creating stronger engagement and long-term loyalty.
