AI PC Market Growth Slows Down Due to Tariffs and Uncertainty: Gartner

Gartner reports that tariffs and market uncertainties are slowing the adoption of AI PCs globally in 2025. However, AI PCs are expected to represent 31% of the total PC market and total 77.8 million units in 2025. By 2026, AI PC shipments are projected to total 143 million units and represent 55% of the total PC market. To unlock growth, PC vendors must move beyond hardware and deliver software-defined, user-centric AI PCs designed for specific roles and use cases.

Gartner reports that the adoption of AI PCs globally is slowing down in 2025 due to tariffs and market uncertainties. Despite this, AI PCs are expected to represent 31% of the total PC market and total 77.8 million units by the end of the year [1].

The market share of AI PCs has decreased from Gartner's earlier forecast of 43% to less than one-third, primarily due to economic uncertainty and fluid trade policies. However, Gartner projects that AI PCs will represent more than half the market by 2026, with shipments totaling 143 million units [1].

The slowdown in AI PC adoption is attributed to global trade spats and pauses in PC buying caused by market uncertainty, according to Ranjit Atwal, senior director analyst at Gartner. "AI PCs are reshaping the market, but their adoption in 2025 is slowing because of tariffs and pauses in PC buying caused by market uncertainty," Atwal said in the report [1].

Hardware providers are fueling the trend by lining up partnerships to bring AI PCs to the marketplace. Nvidia, for example, is set to deliver its DGX Spark PCs and DGX Station desktops in July, collaborating with major hardware makers [1].

HP Inc. reported solid Q3 2025 results, with 3% revenue growth driven by strong personal systems performance and accelerated AI PC adoption. AI PC shipments exceeded expectations, reaching over 25% of the personal systems mix [2].

Gartner expects that by the end of 2026, 40% of software vendors will prioritize investments in AI capabilities directly on PCs, up from 2% in 2024. This shift is driven by the increasing availability of AI PCs and the need for faster response times, lower energy consumption, and reduced reliance on cloud services [1].

To unlock growth, PC vendors must move beyond hardware and deliver software-defined, user-centric AI PCs designed for specific roles and use cases. "The future of AI PCs is in customization," said Atwal. "It lets users configure their devices with the apps, features, and functions they want" [1].

References:
[1] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ai-pc-adoption-slows-amid-033000078.html
[2] https://theoutpost.ai/news-story/hp-s-q3-2025-earnings-ai-pc-adoption-accelerates-amid-print-challenges-19627/