“Buzz around AI PCs” is just part of why more people will buy laptops as 2024 holiday gifts than ever, but many are shopping for themselves

"Buzz around AI PCs" is just part of why more people will buy laptops as 2024 holiday gifts than ever, but many are shopping for themselves

What you need to know

  • More people will purchase laptops as gifts this year than ever before, according to a report by Consumer Technology Association.
  • 233 million adults in the United States plan to purchase tech gifts in 2024, which is an all-time high for the category.
  • The advent of AI PCs and the fact that we are now several years removed from the peak of the global pandemic are likely contributing factors to why so many will buy laptops this holiday season.

As a tech enthusiast with a decade-long fascination for the evolving digital landscape, I find the surge in laptop and desktop purchases this holiday season quite intriguing. Having witnessed the rise and fall of technology trends over the years, it’s exciting to see the anticipation building around AI PCs, which seem to be driving this year’s interest.


This holiday season, it’s projected that a significant number of Americans will unwrap laptops as presents, reaching a peak in the gifting category. According to a report by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), about half (51%) of those surveyed plan to purchase a laptop as a gift this year. Additionally, buying desktops as gifts is anticipated to hit an all-time high, with 35% of respondents planning to buy a desktop PC for the upcoming 2024 holidays. The purchasing of laptops and desktops as gifts is expected to increase by 8% and 9%, respectively, compared to last year’s figures.

The study was conducted by polling 1,205 American adults from August 27, 2024, through September 4, 2024. You can take a look at the report on the CTA website. The full report is accessible to CTA members at no cost, or for $999 for non-members.

Approximately 40% of the tech presents bought are intended for minors, whereas around 36% are meant for spouses, according to CTA’s findings. Additionally, 15% of those shopping for tech gifts plan to give it to their parents, and a further 28% will gift tech to another adult.

Approximately one out of every three individuals I observed mentioned planning to acquire a tech present for themselves, suggesting that a substantial number of folks might be treating themselves this season. However, it’s important to note that the total percentage can exceed 100%, as some people may be purchasing multiple tech gifts for various recipients.

Over the holiday season, it seems that even those who aren’t grabbing a laptop or desktop are still drawn towards technology purchases. In fact, an astounding 78% of those surveyed plan to invest in computer hardware, and an impressive 89% are set on gifting tech items this year. Interestingly, the percentage of people planning to buy general tech gifts is 8% higher than any previous data recorded by CTA, dating back as far as 2007.

AI PCs

"Buzz around AI PCs" is just part of why more people will buy laptops as 2024 holiday gifts than ever, but many are shopping for themselves

The increasing curiosity towards AI-equipped personal computers seems to be driving up demand for laptops before 2024 comes to an end, according to Steve Koenig, Vice President of Research at the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). In simpler words, he suggested that the interest in AI PCs could explain the recent spike in laptop sales.

This year, the selection of top-tier AI-focused PCs has significantly expanded. The surge in interest towards artificial intelligence over the last few years has led to the development of suitable hardware. For instance, Qualcomm introduced its Snapdragon X processors, driving the initial batch of Copilot+ PCs. Similarly, AMD and Intel have joined the AI PC bandwagon with their Ryzen AI PRO 300 series processors and Intel Core Ultra Series 2 chips respectively.

How often do you buy a new laptop?

"Buzz around AI PCs" is just part of why more people will buy laptops as 2024 holiday gifts than ever, but many are shopping for themselves

According to Koenig, several factors might contribute to the current trend. One of them is that we’re a few years past the peak of the global pandemic, which could be another reason for the change. Additionally, he suggests that it may be part of an upgrade cycle. Many people likely received new laptops during the early stages of the health crisis, and now, four years later, they might be thinking that it’s time for an upgrade.

Every year, tech firms usually update their laptop models, however, very few individuals replace their personal computers annually. Over time, PCs may begin to exhibit signs of aging relative to newer technology. Advancements in screen quality, chip speed, and innovative features are made regularly. This ongoing progress, even within the same product line, can lead to a significant difference between a 2020 computer and one from 2024. For instance, consider the Dell XPS 15 released in 2020 compared to the XPS 16 launched in 2024.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals

1) It seems that merchants have made significant progress in creating special shopping occasions like Prime Day and Anti-Prime Day, and these initiatives seem to attract consumers. A notable 41% of survey participants plan to kick off their holiday shopping in October, which is the highest percentage recorded by CTA to date.

Despite an increase in early shopping, many people continue to prioritize Black Friday and Cyber Monday for their holiday purchases. These terms may be fabricated, but they’ve been around for quite some time now, and it appears unlikely that other days will overtake them. Koenig pointed out that more than half of holiday shoppers plan on shopping during the Black Friday week.

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2024-10-15 20:39