As global PC manufacturers create more efficient devices customised to local demands, AI-powered personal computers are in high demand in South Africa.
This trend marks a strategic pivot by tech companies aiming to meet evolving consumer expectations and stand out in a highly competitive market.
The announcement on May 30, 2025, highlights how AI integration is reshaping computing experiences across the country
AI-powered devices transform productivity and user experience
Global PC manufacturers are responding to South African businesses and customers who want more efficiency, productivity, and value from technology. AI-based devices offer advantages such as enhanced security, adaptive performance, and intuitive user experiences.
Werner Joubert, business director at Asus, explains that their AI deployment focuses on two key areas: boosting productivity and improving user experience invisibly.
“The Asus AI ExpertMeet is a bundled software with all of our 2025 devices that includes AI Meeting Minutes, AI Translated Subtitles, Webcam Watermark, and Screen Watermark. Each one of these is designed to assist in the daily work routine we have all come adapted to since the pandemic,” Joubert said.
He added that AI also powers self-healing features that detect and resolve hardware issues without user intervention, reducing downtime and speeding up repairs by providing technicians with precise fault data upfront.
This approach aims for seamless device management and zero downtime in organizational settings.
South Africa as a key market for AI Integration in PCs
Lenovo Southern Africa’s GM, Yugen Naidoo, highlighted the company’s commitment to AI innovation, unveiling over 40 AI-powered devices at CES 2025.
These devices span Lenovo’s Yoga, ThinkBook, ThinkPad, ThinkCentre, and Legion lines, designed to personalise computing for consumers and enterprises alike.
“We invest heavily in understanding the unique needs and challenges of our diverse customer base, from individual consumers to large enterprises. This deep understanding allows us to tailor our products and services to meet their specific requirements effectively,” Naidoo said.
IDC analyst Grace Munyi noted the growing transition in the South African market toward AI-capable PCs that efficiently run AI workloads, enhance data privacy, extend battery life, and boost productivity.
She reported that in Q1 2025, Dell Technologies led the local PC market with a 20.4% share, followed closely by HP and Lenovo, with Asus showing notable growth.
The rising adoption of AI PCs aligns with broader digital transformation trends in South Africa, where sectors like education, healthcare, and remote work demand more innovative technology solutions.
Market data forecasts a compound annual growth rate of 27.23% in AI technology adoption from 2025 to 2030, with the AI PC market expected to reach R73.8 billion by 2030.
Integrating AI into operating systems and applications allows devices to anticipate user demands, automate processes, and tailor experiences.
Such advances help South African companies manage hybrid work environments and distributed teams, enhancing productivity and security.
This surge in AI-based PC demand in South Africa reflects a global tech movement toward embedding intelligence into everyday devices, offering users smarter, more adaptive tools to navigate a rapidly changing digital world.