The year 2024 saw the introduction of AI-powered PCs to the notebook market, with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X processors being one of the standout innovations. However, new research suggests that the technology has struggled to gain significant traction, securing less than 1% of the market in the third quarter.
A report from Canalys reveals that only 720,000 Snapdragon X-powered notebooks were sold globally during the period, accounting for just 0.8% of worldwide notebook shipments, trailing behind AMD and Intel’s offerings.
In the Windows PC segment, Snapdragon X laptops achieved a 1.5% market share in Q3. Despite the modest numbers, this represents a 180% increase in sales compared to the second quarter, which marked the initial launch of Qualcomm’s AI-focused chips.
AI PCs already account for 20% of the computer market
According to Canalys, Microsoft leads the pack in sales of Snapdragon X-equipped notebooks, thanks to its Surface lineup. Dell follows in second place, with HP, Lenovo, Acer, and ASUS rounding out the list, all selling comparable units.
In Q3 2024, global shipments of AI-powered PCs reached 13.3 million units, representing 20% of total PC shipments. This highlights the growing demand for devices designed for AI-focused tasks. Windows devices dominate this segment, accounting for 53% of these shipments.
Despite the growing interest, 31% of surveyed manufacturers expressed no intention of offering AI PCs, while 34% predict that such devices will contribute 10% or less of their sales.
The report emphasizes that the adoption of AI-powered notebooks should proceed cautiously. Not all models meet the 40 TOPS AI performance benchmark set by Microsoft for Copilot+ compatibility. Moreover, AI notebooks remain significantly more expensive than traditional laptops with simpler specifications, which could deter some buyers.
Source: Canalys
