The global laptop market is entering a transformative phase in 2025, marked by technological innovation, intensified competition, and a strategic shift toward AI integration and diversified product design. Recent reports and industry events highlight key trends shaping the trajectory of the notebook industry.

1. Steady Market Recovery and Growth Momentum

According to Gartner, the global PC market experienced a mild recovery in 2024, with quarterly shipments growing for the fifth consecutive quarter. In Q4 2024 alone, global PC shipments reached 64.4 million units, a 1.4% year-on-year increase. Full-year 2024 shipments showed signs of stabilization, laying a solid foundation for 2025. Although growth remains moderate, the sustained rebound indicates improving demand in both consumer and enterprise segments.

2. AI-Powered Laptops Take Center Stage at CES 2025

The annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025 in Las Vegas served as a pivotal platform for OEMs and chipmakers to unveil next-generation computing devices. A dominant theme was the rise of AI-enabled laptops, often referred to as "AI PCs." Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm each launched new processor platforms optimized for on-device AI workloads. These chips support advanced features such as real-time language translation, AI-enhanced video conferencing, and local large language model (LLM) inference, reducing reliance on cloud computing.

3. Processor Landscape: Diversification and Intensified Competition

At CES 2025, all three major CPU vendors—Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm—unveiled refreshed mobile processor lineups. Intel and AMD, in particular, expanded their product portfolios with a wide range of models targeting different market segments, from ultra-light productivity devices to high-performance AI workstations. Qualcomm continued to push its ARM-based Windows laptops, emphasizing power efficiency and always-on connectivity, further intensifying competition in the low-power, high-efficiency segment.

4. Design Innovation: Rollable Screens and Beyond

Beyond performance, OEMs are exploring radical design innovations. Rollable displays emerged as a standout trend at CES 2025, with several manufacturers showcasing prototypes featuring flexible OLED screens that can extend display area on demand. While still in early stages, such designs signal a move toward more adaptable and portable form factors, potentially redefining user experiences in mobile computing.

5. Expansion in Commercial and Niche Segments

The commercial PC market is also gaining momentum. In January 2025, ZhiTong International launched "HengYue," a new brand targeting business and enterprise customers. As a sibling brand to Mechanical Revolution, HengYue enables a dual-wheel product strategy covering both gaming and commercial sectors, reflecting a broader industry trend of market segmentation and specialization.

6. Market Outlook: Innovation as the New Growth Engine

With Moore’s Law nearing its physical limits, the notebook industry is shifting focus from pure performance gains to holistic innovation—encompassing AI, energy efficiency, design, and user-centric features. According to market analysis, 2025 will be a critical year for OEMs to differentiate themselves through ecosystem integration, software optimization, and hardware-software co-design.

In conclusion, the laptop market in 2025 is characterized by a confluence of technological maturity and disruptive innovation. While shipment growth remains modest, the integration of AI, the advent of novel form factors, and the expansion into specialized segments suggest that the era of "same-old"