2026 Predictions: Devices & IT Infrastructure
From TBR Talks: Decoding Strategies and Ecosystems of the Globe's Top Tech Firms by Technology Business Research, Inc.
January 30, 2026 · 15 min · Season 4 · Episode 18
About this episode
TBR analysts discuss the evolution of AI PCs and the impact of changing customer expectations on IT infrastructure leading into 2026.
TBR Senior Analyst Ben Carbonneau breaks down why he believes AI PCs will evolve from early-stage adoption to full-market dominance within the next decade and discusses the role Microsoft and Windows on ARM will play, how collaboration across the ecosystem could reshape competition, and why “prioritization for premiumization” may become the defining strategy for vendors heading into 2026. Additionally, from AI adoption at the edge and ROI-driven use cases, to the ripple effects of data center modernization and VMware decision making, TBR Principal Analyst Angela Lambert discusses how changing customer expectations will influence demand across the infrastructure stack in the new year. She also weighs in on the modernization versus transformation debate, shifts in AI-accelerated server investment, and which vendors — from silicon providers to OEMs — are best positioned to lead in 2026.
People in this episode
Guests: Ben Carbonneau, Angela Lambert
Topics covered
- AI PCs
- IT Infrastructure
- Microsoft
- Data Center Modernization
- Customer Expectations
- AI Adoption
Keywords
- AI PCs
- Microsoft
- Windows on ARM
- Data Center Modernization
- Infrastructure Stack
- AI Adoption
- ROI-driven Use Cases
- Premiumization
- Silicon Providers
- OEMs
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Microsoft, VMware
Products: AI PCs, Windows on ARM
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