AI-Driven PCs Boost Global Market with Q3 Growth

The global PC market continued its growth momentum from the first quarter of 2024 into the third quarter.

According to the latest report from the research firm Counterpoint Research, the global PC market shipped 65.3 million units in the third quarter of 2024, marking a 1% increase year-over-year and a 5% increase quarter-over-quarter.

Counterpoint Research noted that the global PC market maintained its growth trend since the first quarter of this year. Despite the impact of front-loading shipments in the second quarter, the third quarter's shipments still grew by about 5% compared to the second quarter, primarily due to the replacement demand driven by the upcoming end of support for Windows 10 and the gradual increase in AI PC sales.

In terms of brand performance, Lenovo achieved annual shipment growth for the fourth consecutive quarter, with its market share returning to 25%; HP and Dell performed steadily in the third quarter, mainly thanks to the growth in demand from the North American market and support from corporate orders; Apple's performance in the third quarter was average, but the market is looking forward to the launch of its new products equipped with the M4 chip, among which the M4 MacBook Pro with a 10-core CPU is expected to become the focus of the fourth quarter.

Since 2021, the third quarter has no longer been a clear peak season for the PC industry. Even with back-to-school demand, Counterpoint Research Senior Analyst William Li pointed out that after AMD and Intel launched their new generation of CPU platforms in the third quarter, the demand for AI PCs in the notebook market has been gradually increasing, but the market is still waiting for key application scenarios that can bring higher added value in daily work.

Looking ahead to the fourth quarter, as the replacement demand for Windows 10 gradually weakens, AI PCs are expected to become a new growth driver. Counterpoint Research estimates that the holiday season will continue the positive trend, and the annual PC shipments for 2024 are expected to achieve a 2% year-over-year growth.

Not long ago, leading manufacturers such as Lenovo and Asus have launched new AI PC products, trying to seize this growing market. Asus's new product "ZenBook 14 Air" was launched on September 17, emphasizing its positioning as an "AI ultra-thin notebook." On the other hand, Lenovo also released AI PC devices covering multiple series, including ThinkPad and IdeaPad, marking its further layout in the field of intelligent personal computers.

The deep integration of AI technology has not only improved the performance of AI PCs but also broken the traditional limitations of PC usage. The new generation of devices automatically optimizes through intelligent algorithms, greatly enhancing the user experience. For example, AI PCs can make personalized recommendations based on users' usage habits, efficiently manage system resources, and thus improve work and study efficiency. This shift reflects consumers' desire and expectation for more intelligent devices.

It is worth noting that behind this trend lies a huge market potential. As early as the second quarter of 2024, the market shipment of AI PCs has reached 8.8 million units, accounting for 14% of the global PC shipment total. This means that the AI PC market is rapidly growing into a new growth engine for the PC industry. In addition, industry analysts believe that with the popularization of intelligent devices and the increase in consumer replacement demand, the AI PC market is expected to achieve significant growth in the next few years.

From a macroeconomic perspective, the recent trade-in policies issued by various national departments will further stimulate consumers' enthusiasm for replacing devices. The trade-in subsidy policy for eight types of home appliances, including computers, will undoubtedly accelerate the popularization of AI PCs. This policy support not only provides economic benefits to consumers but also encourages various technology companies to accelerate R&D investment, becoming an important driving force for enterprises upstream and downstream in the industry chain.On the technological innovation front, chip manufacturers are also leveraging the momentum to develop. For instance, several companies based on the ARM architecture, such as Qualcomm and Intel, are committed to launching processors that can support AI PCs. These high-performance chips, with their continuous improvement in computational performance and energy efficiency, enable AI PCs to handle complex tasks with greater ease. At the same time, AI PCs also boast excellent portability and long battery life, becoming the new favorites of young users and professionals.

Beyond advancements on the hardware level, AI's intelligent applications in the software domain are also breaking through traditional usage boundaries. In fields such as AI writing and painting, relevant AI tools are gradually entering people's daily lives. These tools not only provide users with an efficient creative experience but also enhance the quality of creation through intelligent recommendations. For example, Simple AI is a versatile creative assistant that covers a variety of functions including AI painting, text-to-image, and image-to-image, making people's creation simpler and more convenient.

However, the rapid growth of AI PCs has also raised some social issues and considerations. For instance, as devices are updated and replaced, how to deal with old devices has become an inescapable topic. Moreover, the misuse of technology could also lead to issues of information security and privacy protection. Therefore, while enjoying the convenience brought by intelligent technology, consumers and businesses should remain rational and focus on data security and privacy protection.

Overall, the year 2024 is expected to become the "genesis year" for the development of AI PCs. The rise of this emerging market can not only boost consumer vitality but also is expected to drive a comprehensive upgrade of the related industry chain. For ordinary consumers, mastering and using intelligent devices can bring a completely new experience in life and work. In the current era of rapid technological development, learning how to utilize AI has become an important way to enhance personal competitiveness.