A new analytical report published this morning states that AI-capable PC shipments hit 15.4 million units in Q4 2024, accounting for 23% of all PC shipments during the quarter. AI-capable PCs are defined 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 18% for this category of PCs. For the full year 2024, 17% of PCs shipped were AI-capable, with the biggest winners being Apple at 54% share, followed by Lenovo and HP at 12% share each.

(Click on image to Enlarge)

Apple Intelligence features were released across Mac, iPad and iPhone platforms. Although AI capabilities are not a primary purchasing driver, improved AI processor performance will make personalized experiences and productivity gains increasingly important and expected. Over time, this could influence brand loyalty, shaping customers’ decisions for future device upgrades. 

Kieren Jessop, Analyst at Canalys: "Apple finished strong in Q4 2024, significantly outgrowing the top three vendors and achieving a 10.2% market share in the total PC market and 45% share in the AI-capable PC market. Apple’s channel strategy continues to evolve as they announced the Apple Partner Network, launching later this year. This revamped program simplifies partner tiers and aims to take a share in the Enterprise segment while providing the necessary services to handle customers. The program highlights Mac’s compatibility and scalability within the Enterprise environment, concerns which have previously kept them out of the segment.”

At a minimum, an AI-capable PC must be a desktop or notebook possessing a dedicated chipset or block to run on-device AI workloads. Examples of these dedicated chipsets include AMD’s XDNA, Apple’s Neural Engine, Intel’s AI Boost and Qualcomm’s Hexagon.