Research and consulting firm Gartner’s latest forecast projects a massive shift in the PC landscape, with artificial intelligence (AI)-powered PCs set to account for 43% of global PC shipments by 2025.
This surge shows an increase from just 17% in 2024. By 2026, AI laptops are expected to be the only option available for large businesses, marking a complete transition away from traditional non-AI PCs.
Gartner defines AI PCs as devices equipped with a neural processing unit (NPU) and includes PCs running on Arm-based Windows, macOS, and x86 systems. In 2025, global shipments of AI PCs are projected to reach 114 million units, a 165.5% increase from the previous year.
“The debate has moved from speculating which PCs might include AI functionality, to the expectation that most PCs will eventually integrate AI NPU capabilities,” said Ranjit Atwal, senior director analyst at Gartner.
Laptops are leading the charge, with Gartner forecasting that AI laptops will make up 51% of total laptop shipments by 2025. This shift is driven by a growing demand for smarter, more secure, and private computing environments.
Atwal highlights that businesses are increasingly focused on future-proofing their tech investments. While companies may not pay extra for AI features, they are likely to invest in AI PCs due to their enhanced security features and because AI integration will soon become standard.
The transformation in the PC market also signals a shift away from x86-based systems, with Arm-based AI laptops expected to gain ground, especially among consumers. However, Windows x86 AI laptops will continue to lead in the business sector, at least for now.