How do AI PCs differ from today’s computers, and why are they projected to dominate
the market by 2026? It’s about a shift in the entire computing ecosystem.
Imagine you’re driving a car. Today’s PCs are like those reliable vehicles, getting you from point A to point B without much fuss. You handle the navigation, decide when to hit the brakes or the gas, and deal with traffic on your own. Now picture a car that assists you by predicting traffic, optimizing routes, and perhaps even driving itself. That’s what an AI PC is like compared to today’s conventional machines.
A neural processing unit (NPU) is the smart co-pilot sitting beside you, quietly optimizing the route, predicting your needs, and streamlining your journey. While traditional PCs offer you the “engine” and “wheels” to process tasks, AI PCs add a level of intelligence, learning, and adaptability, making them not just faster but smarter.
But how do AI PCs differ from today’s computers, and why are they projected to dominate the market by 2026? Let’s break it down.
What is an AI PC?
In technical terms, an AI PC is a personal computer that comes embedded with specialised hardware, primarily a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), designed to perform AI-related tasks efficiently. This hardware isn’t just for traditional number-crunching tasks but for things like natural language processing, image recognition, and predictive analytics.
To simplify, think of the NPU as the “brain” of the AI PC. Current PCs rely on CPUs (central processing units) and GPUs (graphics processing units) to handle tasks. These are good at general processing and graphics-heavy tasks like gaming or video rendering, but NPUs are optimised for the sort of machine learning operations that are becoming increasingly relevant to both businesses and consumers.
AI PCs vs. Current Generation PCs
Traditional PCs are like jack-of-all-trades, built to handle a variety of applications from word processing to video editing. However, they rely mostly on software to carry out their functions. For instance, if you want voice recognition, your current PC processes the audio data and sends it to Cloud servers where AI models decode it. The process requires external computation and network latency.
AI PCs, on the other hand, can handle these tasks locally, in real-time. The NPU allows AI PCs to perform tasks like:
- Voice and Image Recognition: Similar to how voice assistants like Alexa work, but without sending data to the Cloud.
- Predictive Maintenance: Identifying hardware issues before they happen based on usage patterns.
- Context-Aware Computing: Adapting to user needs by learning behaviour, such as anticipating when you’ll need specific software or reminding you about certain tasks based on patterns.
So, while today’s PCs act as reactive tools, AI PCs are proactive assistants, learning and adapting as they interact with their users.
Why AI PCs Will Dominate Shipments by 2026
1. Market Projections Show a Surge in AI PC Shipments
According to tech consultancy Gartner, AI PCs are expected to make up 43% of the PC market by 2025. In raw numbers, this translates to 43 million units in 2024 (a 99.8% increase from 2023) and an estimated 114 million units in 2025 – a 165.5% growth year-on-year. Clearly, AI PCs aren’t just a passing trend; they represent a seismic shift in the industry.
2. Future-Proofing in a Competitive Market
One of the primary reasons businesses are opting for AI PCs isn’t necessarily a killer AI app, but rather a desire to future-proof their hardware. As Jitesh Ubrani, research manager at IDC, puts it: “Many businesses struggle to see the immediate use case for AI, but they view AI PCs as a way to stay ahead of the curve.”
The truth is, while we may not fully need all of AI’s potential right now, the inclusion of NPUs allows companies and users to hedge their bets. Much like how Wi-Fi eventually became a necessity in all devices, NPUs will soon be embedded in most computing hardware, making non-AI PCs obsolete.
3. Monetisation and Higher Selling Prices
Another driver for the dominance of AI PCs is the potential for vendors to monetise these devices. Enrique Lores, CEO of HP, has pointed out that AI PCs will likely account for 50% of shipments by 2027, and could drive an average 5-10% increase in selling prices. As consumers and businesses recognise the growing importance of AI, they will be willing to pay extra for hardware that can meet future demands.
4. Cost Prohibitions of Non-AI PCs
The long-term trajectory suggests that as NPUs proliferate, the cost of producing processors without an NPU could become prohibitively high. Essentially, it may soon be more expensive for chip manufacturers to make a non-AI processor, further pushing the industry towards AI dominance.
5. The Rise of ARM and Competitive Pressure
The shift towards AI PCs isn’t just about the NPU. Platforms like Microsoft and Qualcomm are pushing ARM-based systems that could offer viable alternatives to Intel’s traditional architecture. Qualcomm’s AI-powered Snapdragon processors are a prime example of this new breed of hardware, poised to challenge Intel and AMD in a rapidly evolving market. As Ranjit Atwal from Gartner mentions, “It’s just a much more competitive environment than I’ve ever seen previously,” indicating that vendors will need to stay ahead of trends to survive.
What’s Holding AI PCs Back?
The primary issue AI PCs face today isn’t hardware – it’s software. While NPUs enable AI PCs to handle advanced computations, we still haven’t seen the killer AI app that will make this a must-have feature for all users. Currently, the hardware outpaces the software, meaning there aren’t enough applications taking full advantage of AI PCs’ capabilities.
However, this is a temporary hurdle. Just as early smartphones lacked the apps we now can’t live without, AI PCs are waiting for the software ecosystem to catch up. And once it does, AI PCs will go from being a luxury to a necessity.
The Inevitable Rise of AI PCs
The dominance of AI PCs is not just about demand; it’s about a shift in the entire computing ecosystem. As NPUs become standard in more devices, buying a computer without AI capabilities will become increasingly difficult. This transformation may feel gradual, but by 2026, AI PCs will likely be the norm rather than the exception.
The writing is on the wall. The future of personal computing isn’t just faster or more powerful – it’s smarter. AI PCs will soon dominate, not because everyone demands AI today, but because of the undeniable fact that AI is the future, and the future is coming fast.