Source URL: https://www.theregister.com/2025/02/06/ai_copilot_pc_sales/
Source: The Register
Title: Copilot+ PCs? Customers just aren’t buying it – yet
Feedly Summary: 57% higher price point and app compatibility issues aren’t helping
There remains little love for notebooks containing AI-capable processors and even less for Microsoft’s Copilot+ models, with premium pricing, software compatibility, and opaque benefits cited as the reasons.…
AI Summary and Description: Yes
Summary: The text discusses the slow adoption of AI-capable laptops, particularly focusing on Microsoft’s Copilot+ models. Despite significant sales of AI PCs overall, consumer interest in high-priced models with unclear benefits is limited, creating challenges for manufacturers. Insights from analysts suggest that a lack of compelling applications and software compatibility issues hinder growth in the enterprise segment.
Detailed Description:
– The report highlights a disparity in the acceptance of AI-capable laptops, notably those with Copilot+ branding from Microsoft.
– **Key Points:**
– **Market Data:** 40% of laptops sold in Europe in Q4 were AI PCs, but only 5% were Copilot+ categorized.
– **Consumer Behavior:** There is a weak demand for AI PCs due to various factors, including premium pricing and unclear benefits.
– **Pricing Issues:** Copilot+ PCs were found to be 57% more expensive than the average notebook, which discourages consumers, especially in a tight economic environment.
– **Compatibility Challenges:** Software compatibility issues, particularly with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips, have created uncertainty for business adoption.
– **Market Predictions:** Gartner predicts that AI PCs will grow in shipments by 2026, but significant hurdles remain, like a lack of “killer applications” and business cases to justify the premium price.
– **Future Expectations:** Analysts suggest that while demand for AI PCs might rise over time, the current pace of market acceptance is slower than industry expectations. Businesses are cautious and want to avoid paying higher prices without clear advantages.
Overall, the reluctance of consumers and businesses to adopt AI PCs underscores important considerations for security and infrastructure professionals, particularly about evaluating the integration of AI capabilities into existing systems and ensuring compatibility across platforms as these technologies evolve.