Apple Leads AI PC Market In Q2 2024, Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Drives Growth

Canalys reported that global shipments of AI-capable PCs increased significantly in Q2 2024, with over 8.8 million devices shipped to consumers. Apple's Mac computers dominated the market, accounting for 60 per cent of all shipments, and adoption of AI PCs is projected to increase further with the release of Qualcomm's Snapdragon X chipsets later this year.

According to Canalys' most recent study, AI PC shipments will increase significantly in the second quarter of 2024. Apple's Mac computers, powered by the company's M-series chipsets, dominated the segment, accounting for over 60 per cent of all AI-capable PCs shipped. This huge share demonstrates Apple's dominant position in the AI PC industry, surpassing Windows-based AI computers, which accounted for slightly under 40 per cent of shipments.

Apple's dominant market share is due to its current-generation Macs, which are outfitted with M-series CPUs that are optimised for AI capabilities. Whereas many Windows PCs continue to employ processors that are not optimised for AI activities. The full potential of AI capabilities in Mac computers is projected to be realised with the release of Apple Intelligence features later this year or in early 2025.

Despite Apple's dominance, the data shows tremendous development in Windows AI PC shipments, which increased by 127 per cent sequentially. HP led Windows OEMs with an 8 per cent market share, thanks to the introduction of its EliteBook and Omnibook Copilot+ PCs. Lenovo and Dell followed with 6 per cent and 7 per cent shares, respectively, thanks to their Yoga Slim, ThinkPad, Inspiron, XPS and Latitude models.

Canalys' Principal Analyst, Ishan Dutt, expressed optimism about the sector, saying, "With a strong foundation now set, AI-capable PC shipments are poised to gain further traction in the second half of 2024."

Qualcomm's Snapdragon X series chipsets, which began selling in June, were essential to this growth. The chipsets are based on Arm architecture, which provides higher speed and efficiency than typical x86 CPUs. Although the short time frame for OEMs to implement these new chipsets into their devices during Q2 2024 hindered immediate shipments, the commitment to adopt the Snapdragon X series into future models is projected to stimulate additional expansion in the AI PC industry.