TL;DR
The PC market, which has shown resilience for more than a decade, is facing fresh pressure as AI-related trends begin to influence demand. While tablets and smartphones once seemed poised to displace personal computers, millions of PCs continue to sell annually — and the industry now expects AI to be a new disruptive factor.
What happened
For roughly 15 years the personal computer has proven more durable than many industry forecasts expected. Apple’s 2010 push with the iPad was framed as the start of a ‘post-PC’ era but did not eliminate the PC market. Smartphones overtook laptops as the most common way to connect to the internet about a decade ago, yet consumer and business purchases of traditional computers have persisted in the millions each year. Against that backdrop, reporting indicates the PC sector is bracing for an AI-driven shake-up. The coverage frames artificial intelligence as a force likely to change buyer priorities, product designs and market dynamics, though the excerpt does not include detailed specifics on how hardware, pricing or supply chains will be affected.
Why it matters
- A shift toward AI-optimized computing could change what buyers prioritize when purchasing PCs.
- Manufacturers and component suppliers may need to adapt product roadmaps and supply strategies.
- Enterprise adoption of AI workloads could influence replacement cycles and total addressable market for PCs.
- Evolving software capabilities tied to AI may alter the value proposition of different device classes (desktop, laptop, tablet).
Key facts
- The PC has remained notably resilient over the past 15 years.
- Apple positioned the iPad in 2010 as the start of a 'post-PC' era; that transition did not materialize as predicted.
- Smartphones surpassed laptops as the most popular device to access the internet roughly a decade ago.
- Despite shifts in device usage, millions of people continue to buy PCs every year.
- The recent coverage frames artificial intelligence as a new disruptive influence on the PC market.
- Source: The Verge, published 2026-01-08.
What to watch next
- Which PC components see changing demand (for example GPUs, memory, storage) — not confirmed in the source.
- Whether manufacturers redesign systems specifically for AI workloads — not confirmed in the source.
- Potential impacts on pricing and supply chains as AI-related demand shifts — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- PC market: The global industry encompassing the design, manufacture, sale and support of personal computers, including desktops and laptops.
- post-PC era: A concept suggesting a decline in the centrality of traditional personal computers in favor of mobile devices like tablets and smartphones.
- AI-driven: Describes products, features or market changes that are influenced or enabled by artificial intelligence technologies.
- smartphone: A mobile phone that provides advanced computing capabilities and internet connectivity, often used for browsing, apps and communication.
Reader FAQ
Will AI end the PC?
Not confirmed in the source.
Did the iPad create a post-PC world?
The source notes Apple framed the iPad in 2010 as heralding a 'post-PC' era, but that outcome did not occur.
Are people still buying PCs?
Yes — the source says millions of PCs continue to be purchased each year.
What specific hardware will be most affected by AI demand?
Not confirmed in the source.
The personal computer has remained surprisingly resilient to change over the past 15 years. Apple promised a "post-PC" era with the iPad in 2010 and failed to deliver one. Smartphones…
Sources
- The PC market braces for an AI-driven storm
- IDC warns PC market could shrink up to 9% in 2026 due …
- Global Memory Shortage Crisis: Market Analysis and the …
- Samsung RAM Prices Jump 60% as AI Demand Creates …
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