Personal computers powered by artificial intelligence are expected to drive a strong rebound in the global PC market, which continues to grapple with weak demand, a new study has shown.
AI PCs are projected to have a 10-year compound annual growth rate of 50 per cent from 2020, eventually dominating the market after 2026, with a penetration rate of more than 50 per cent, Counterpoint Research said in its quarterly update.
Intel, Qualcomm and other makers of PC CPUs are “working closely” with original equipment manufacturers to develop next-generation mainstream models, and a lot of product launches are expected after the fourth quarter of 2023, “marking a new chapter for the PC industry”, the Hong Kong-based research firm said.
PC manufacturers are looking for the next jolt to their businesses and AI, which has exploded in popularity thanks to generative AI, might be that new growth engine.
“Fortunately, we are now entering the first replacement cycle after the Covid-19 pandemic along with a potential pick-up in AI PC momentum as we move into 2024,” Counterpoint said.
“The AI PC has emerged as the next big thing and will very likely drive the next wave of shipment rebound.”
Annual PC shipments could return to pre-Covid levels in 2024, and would also be boosted by user upgrades to Microsoft Windows 11 and the next wave of Arm-based computers, it said.
Counterpoint, however, acknowledges that AI PCs may not gain much traction in its earliest stages. But it said “with the increase in applications around the world, AI PCs could progress tremendously” in the second half of 2024.
AI on PCs provide added power to computers' abilities, including making computational tasks such as deep learning training more effective. Apple, with its in-house silicon chips, touts its neural engine to accelerate AI and machine learning.
Intel has pledged to push forth with its AI PC strategy: “Customers can enjoy exciting new AI capabilities – like real-time language translation, automation inferencing and enhanced gaming environments,” it said.
The silver lining comes as the global PC market continues to face a number of challenges, with manufacturers trying to cope with high interest rates, rising inflation and supply chain disruptions – all of which have dampened consumer sentiment and demand.
Counterpoint's report showed that overall global PC shipments dropped 9 per cent year-on-year in the third quarter.
The figure was still an improvement from the 15 per cent decrease in the previous quarter, which is a further indication that the PC market has already bottomed out and is set for a recovery, it said.
Hewlett-Packard, one of the world's biggest manufacturers of personal computers, bucked the trend, posting a 6 per cent growth in PC shipments during the three months ended September.
The California-based company shipped 13.5 million units during the period, up from 12.7 million a year ago.
Lenovo, the world's biggest PC maker, maintained its top spot, shipping around 16 million units, which was down 5 per cent from 16.9 million a year ago, the report said.
Shipments from Dell and Asus declined 14 per cent and 13 per cent, respectively. The companies, notable for their gaming PCs and laptops, shipped 10.3 million and 4.8 million units, respectively.
Apple posted the biggest drop at 18 per cent, shipping 6.5 million units, from 7.9 million a year earlier, Counterpoint said.
“We … are expecting gentle shipment recovery along with several new product launches over the next couple of months, especially from AI function-enabled models,” Counterpoint said.
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
Company%20profile
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South and West: From a Notebook
Joan Didion
Fourth Estate
Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
Sonchiriya
Director: Abhishek Chaubey
Producer: RSVP Movies, Azure Entertainment
Cast: Sushant Singh Rajput, Manoj Bajpayee, Ashutosh Rana, Bhumi Pednekar, Ranvir Shorey
Rating: 3/5
Ovo's tips to find extra heat
- Open your curtains when it’s sunny
- Keep your oven open after cooking
- Have a cuddle with pets and loved ones to help stay cosy
- Eat ginger but avoid chilli as it makes you sweat
- Put on extra layers
- Do a few star jumps
- Avoid alcohol
India squad for fourth and fifth Tests
Kohli (c), Dhawan, Rahul, Shaw, Pujara, Rahane (vc), Karun, Karthik (wk), Pant (wk), Ashwin, Jadeja, Pandya, Ishant, Shami, Umesh, Bumrah, Thakur, Vihari
Company profile
Company: Eighty6
Date started: October 2021
Founders: Abdul Kader Saadi and Anwar Nusseibeh
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Hospitality
Size: 25 employees
Funding stage: Pre-series A
Investment: $1 million
Investors: Seed funding, angel investors
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only. Readers are encouraged to seek independent legal advice.
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
Britain's travel restrictions
- A negative test 2 days before flying
- Complete passenger locator form
- Book a post-arrival PCR test
- Double-vaccinated must self-isolate
- 11 countries on red list quarantine
The biog
Age: 23
Occupation: Founder of the Studio, formerly an analyst at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Education: Bachelor of science in industrial engineering
Favourite hobby: playing the piano
Favourite quote: "There is a key to every door and a dawn to every dark night"
Family: Married and with a daughter
If you go...
Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).
