As reported in the Register, Sales of Microsoft’s Copilot+ PCs have been disappointing, with only five percent of AI-capable laptops sold in Europe during the last quarter of 2024 classified under this category, according to Context. Despite the increasing integration of artificial intelligence in devices, consumers are not actively seeking out these features. The Copilot+ PCs, launched to compete with Apple’s offerings, are priced fifty-seven percent higher than the average notebook, making them less appealing amid tight consumer budgets. The gap in demand has led to a push towards enterprise buyers, as Microsoft works to clarify the value of these devices. Analysts predict that while AI-enabled PCs will eventually dominate the market, the pace of adoption is slower than anticipated, primarily due to high prices and a lack of compelling applications.
Why do we care?
The slow sales of Microsoft’s Copilot+ PCs underscore a broader challenge in AI adoption: consumers aren’t buying into AI features just because they exist. While AI-enabled devices are positioned as the next major computing shift, the lack of immediate, compelling use cases—combined with high costs—suggests a disconnect between marketing hype and real-world demand.
That isn’t necessarily bad – just timing. With the models moving to commodity, we’re watching for applications that matter.
