Global shipments of artificial intelligence (AI) computers surged in the second quarter of 2024, according to a report from market research firm Canalys. Device makers shipped more than 8.8 million AI-enabled computers, with Apple Macs accounting for the majority of them. Meanwhile, adoption of these computers is expected to pick up in the second half of 2024 following the launch of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X series of chipsets, which are based on the Arm architecture and power the recently launched Copilot+ computers from various OEMs.
AI computer sales surge in Q2 2024
The latest report from Canalys reveals that Macs with Apple Silicon chipsets accounted for 60 percent of AI PC shipments in the second quarter of 2024, significantly higher than all Windows AI PCs, which accounted for just under 40 percent of shipments during the same period.
Photo source: Canalys
All of Apple’s current-generation computers are powered by M-series chips, unlike Windows PCs, which still ship with some non-AI-focused processors. However, most customers will be able to fully leverage the AI capabilities of their Mac hardware with the arrival of Apple Intelligence late this year or early 2025.
While Apple controlled the majority of shipments in the past quarter, shipments of Windows AI-based PCs grew sequentially by a staggering 127 percent, according to the market research form. Among OEMs in this segment, Lenovo Yoga Slim and ThinkPad laptops increased their share to 6 percent, which was slightly lower than Dell’s market share of 7 percent with its Inspiron, XPS, and Latitude models. Meanwhile, HP controlled 8 percent of the market share after the launch of EliteBook and Omnibook Copilot+.
The research firm also notes that Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X-series chipsets only launched in June, meaning OEMs have had very little time to ship enough units of these AI-powered computers in Q2 2024.
However, these companies have committed to including these Arm chipsets in upcoming products, which will enable them to offer higher performance and efficiency than most x86 chips. “With a solid foundation, AI-enabled PC shipments are poised for further growth in the second half of 2024,” said Canalys principal analyst Ishan Dutt.
