Published February 2026 | Source: IDC Spotlight, Sponsored by DHE Computer Systems
AI PCs for SMBs are no longer a future consideration. Small and medium-sized businesses are already tapping into AI-powered technology to compete smarter, work faster, and grow stronger. The data backs it up.
According to a new IDC Spotlight report sponsored by DHE Computer Systems, 47.5% of SMBs worldwide say AI is a top technology investment priority for the next 12 months. PCs remain the single largest segment of hardware spending for SMBs, with an average of 25% of hardware budgets going toward PC upgrades or renewals.
In other words, the opportunity is right in front of you. AI-enabled PCs, built for on-device intelligence, enhanced security, and seamless integration, are emerging as one of the smartest IT investments an SMB can make right now.
Why SMBs Are Prioritizing AI PCs
41% of SMBs are actively planning to upgrade or replace PCs in the next 12 months. This wave of PC renewal, combined with the rise of hybrid and remote work, creates the perfect window to move to AI-capable devices.
Legacy systems are holding teams back. When your hardware can't keep up with modern workflows, productivity suffers and so does your competitive edge. Because of this, more SMBs are turning to AI-enabled PCs that bring intelligence directly to the device, with no cloud dependency required.
What AI PCs Actually Do
Here's what AI-enabled PCs deliver in practical terms:
- Faster load times and smoother multitasking so your team gets more done with less friction.
- On-device AI processing for tasks like transcription, image generation, and workflow automation, keeping sensitive data off the cloud.
- Longer battery life and greater personalization so devices adapt to how your employees actually work.
- Security by design, with chip-to-cloud protection, zero trust architecture, and local AI processing working together to minimize exposure to threats.
Security Is the #1 Challenge. AI PCs Are Built for It.
IDC's research is direct: implementing new technology securely is the number one challenge SMBs face when trying to hit their business goals. In fact, 49% of SMBs cite security concerns as a barrier to achieving their technology objectives.
AI-enabled PCs address this directly. With on-device processing, sensitive data never has to leave your environment. Advanced chip-to-cloud protections and zero trust architecture are built in, not added later.
For SMBs without a full IT security team, this is a significant advantage. Therefore, choosing AI PCs for SMBs isn't just a productivity decision — it's a security strategy.
*Bar chart showing top 5 AI PC investment priorities for SMBs, IDC research 2025, DHE Computer Systems
Top 5 Forward-Looking Technology Investment Priorities for SMBs
Which of the following forward-looking technology areas will be priorities for your company in the next 12 months?
Source: IDC Worldwide Small and Medium Business Survey, February 2025. IDC Source
Key Trends Shaping the AI PC Market for SMBs
The AI PC market is evolving quickly, and in ways that work in SMBs' favor. Here are the four trends worth paying attention to right now.
More Affordable Entry Points
Vendors are rolling out flexible, usage-based pricing and modular solutions, reducing the need for heavy upfront investment. As a result, AI-as-a-service options and pretrained models make advanced capabilities accessible without a massive budget.
Plug-and-Play Integration
AI PCs are increasingly designed to connect smoothly with existing cloud environments, CRM, ERP, and other business applications. This minimizes disruption, which is a major factor for SMBs who can't afford downtime during a technology transition.
Stronger Data Sovereignty
New AI PCs come with built-in compliance features that support local data processing and regulatory requirements. In addition, many services are now designed with security as the default, ensuring robust protection of sensitive data.
Hybrid Infrastructure Alignment
AI PC adoption goes hand-in-hand with broader IT modernization. Endpoint upgrades, hardware refreshes, edge computing, and managed lifecycle support work together to create a more resilient, future-ready IT environment.
To learn more about how DHE approaches endpoint modernization, visit our Endpoint Solutions page.
Real Challenges SMBs Face and How to Navigate Them
IDC is straightforward about the obstacles, and so are we. However, understanding these barriers upfront is the first step to overcoming them.
Cost and ROI Uncertainty
33% of SMBs say their technology budgets are too tight for innovation. Upfront costs, macroeconomic factors, and tariff pressures make investment decisions complex.
The answer isn't to wait. It's to plan strategically, with modular solutions and a partner who helps you phase the investment over time.
Skills Gaps and Change Management
36% of SMBs don't have a single full-time IT employee. That means AI PC adoption often happens without a dedicated technical resource to guide it.
This is exactly where a trusted partner makes the difference, handling device imaging, deployment, user training, and ongoing support so your team can focus on their actual work.
Legacy Systems and Integration Complexity
Outdated infrastructure and toolchain incompatibility can make AI PC adoption feel overwhelming. A holistic approach that aligns endpoint upgrades with infrastructure modernization is the path forward.
Piecemeal upgrades rarely work. End-to-end planning does. Because of this, SMBs that partner with experienced providers see far better outcomes than those who try to manage it alone.
How DHE Helps SMBs Get AI PCs Right
DHE Computer Systems has been doing this since 1989. We're not a reseller that drops hardware on your doorstep and calls it done. We're a full-service technology partner, and that means we stay involved through every phase: procurement, configuration, deployment, training, and lifecycle management.
Through our partnership with Lenovo and other leading vendors, we give SMBs access to business-grade and AI-enabled PCs alongside the infrastructure, security, and management capabilities they need to actually run them.
Explore our AI Solutions to see the full range of what we can do for your organization.
We handle the complexity so you don't have to. You don't have time to become an AI expert. You have a business to run.
Ready to modernize your endpoints?
Contact DHE today and let's build a plan that fits your budget, your team, and your goals.
The Bottom Line
AI PCs for SMBs aren't a future trend. They're the current reality for forward-thinking businesses. IDC forecasts adoption will accelerate over the next few years as organizations modernize their IT environments and align technology investments with business objectives.
The SMBs that win will be the ones who take a holistic approach: upgrading endpoints, modernizing infrastructure, closing skills gaps, and partnering with a trusted advisor who understands the full picture.
That's what DHE is built to do. Technology you need. Service you deserve.
Source: IDC Spotlight, "How AI PCs Can Power Up SMBs for Growth," February 2026. Sponsored by DHE Computer Systems. IDC Custom Solutions. All data cited from IDC's Worldwide Small and Medium Business Survey, February 2025. Visit IDC
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