Dell Shifts Focus Away from AI-Centric PCs in 2026

Dell has announced that consumer purchasing patterns do not currently favor PCs primarily enhanced with AI features. In an interview with PC Gamer ahead of the CES event, Dell made it clear that its 2026 product lineup will not be solely centered around AI technology. Instead, the company is moving beyond the notion of AI-first devices.

"We’re very focused on delivering upon the AI capabilities of a device—in fact, everything that we’re announcing has an NPU in it — but what we’ve learned over the course of this year, especially from a consumer perspective, is they’re not buying based on AI," admitted Kevin Terwilliger, Dell’s head of product, during the interview. "In fact I think AI probably confuses them more than it helps them understand a specific outcome."

This candid admission comes from one of Microsoft's major PC partners, especially as Microsoft continues to embed AI features into Windows and promotes its Copilot Plus PCs. Dell was a key partner in the initial 2024 launch of Copilot Plus PCs, equipping models like the XPS 13 and Inspiron with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite chips. Additionally, last year, Dell incorporated Qualcomm’s Cloud AI chips into its high-end laptops to enhance local AI processing capabilities.

Nevertheless, much of the value of these Copilot Plus PCs derives from improved battery life and overall performance, courtesy of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite chips, rather than solely from AI functionalities. Microsoft has also faced challenges launching its flagship AI feature for Copilot Plus PCs, called Recall, which was delayed nearly a year due to security concerns.

As Dell and Microsoft reassess their strategies, it’s clear that consumer demand for AI-enabled PCs remains cautious, prompting a shift towards balanced performance and reliability over AI dominance in device design.

Published by Tom Warren, senior editor and tech analyst.