FE Exclusive: Acer to launch ‘Make in India’ gaming laptops specifically optimized for local needs in Q3, says top executive – Technology News

PC maker Acer is demonstrating its commitment to the Indian market through a strategic localization effort, with a significant focus on its gaming laptop segment. In the third quarter, the company plans to introduce “Make in India” gaming laptops specifically designed and optimized to cater to the unique preferences and needs of Indian consumers, Harish Kohli, President & Managing Director, Acer India told Financial Express.

The gaming PCs and laptops market in India is poised for significant growth, with projected revenue reaching US$2.91 billion in 2025. This upward trajectory is expected to continue, with an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.30% from 2025 to 2030, pushing the market volume to an estimated US$4.14 billion by 2030, according to Statista.

This growth isn’t just about revenue; the user base is expanding too. The number of users in the Gaming PCs and laptops market in India is anticipated to hit 14.5 million by 2030. User penetration is also set to rise, climbing from 0.8% in 2025 to a forecasted 1.0% by 2030.

“We have been selling gaming laptops since 2016—those were global SKUs built to standard international specs. What’s changing now is that we’ve localized those products for Indian consumers. In Q3, 25 we’re introducing Make in India gaming laptops that are optimized for local needs,” Harish said.

Initially, gaming laptops catered to true gamers—individuals investing Rs 1.5 lakh and more for performance down to milliseconds. But since 2018, the market has evolved into three segments: professional/competitive gamers, serious casual gamers who game alongside work or study and Occasional gamers like myself who play for relaxation.

“All three segments now demand powerful, multipurpose machines—not just for gaming, but also for video editing, content consumption, and productivity. This led to rising demand for laptops with dedicated GPUs, especially among engineering students and creators,” Harish mentioned.

While mobile gaming is growing, screen limitations mean many gamers eventually move to laptops or PCs for a more immersive experience.The brand has aligned its portfolio accordingly:

Aspire and ALG gaming series – Entry-level
Nitro – Casual to semi-serious gamers
Predator – Hardcore gamers
This tiered approach has allowed us to cater to each segment effectively.

Laptop over PC:

Over the years, a significant shift has occurred in the personal computing landscape, with laptops experiencing increasing adoption while desktop computer sales have generally seen a decline. This trend is largely attributed to the enhanced portability, evolving performance capabilities, and increasingly competitive pricing of laptops, making them a more convenient and versatile choice for a broader range of users, from students and professionals to casual consumers.

“Let me start from the post-COVID period, around Q2 of CY2023. Over the years, laptops have seen increasing adoption, while desktop volumes have reduced as a percentage of total PC sales. Pre-COVID, in 2019, the market tipped in favour of notebooks, which crossed the 50% mark. That shift continued, and today laptops account for around 56–57% of the market,” Harish noted.

AI in laptops:

With AI gaining prominence, Acer has also been at the forefront of this technological shift, recognizing the immense potential in the Indian market. According to a recent IDC report, the global AI software market is projected to grow from $64 billion to nearly $251 billion by 2027, driven by the increasing adoption of AI-powered devices. Embracing this transformation, Acer is actively developing AI-powered PCs to redefine user interactions.

“AI is a magnet word today. Whether or not a buyer uses AI features immediately, there’s a clear desire to future-proof purchases by opting for AI-ready laptops. Initially, we and our tech partners—Intel and AMD—expected that 25–30% of the market in 2024 would move toward AI-enabled laptops. Accordingly, inventory planning was done,” Harish said.

According to him, but adoption hasn’t taken off at that pace. Why? Because the price gap between a standard laptop (Rs 50,000) and an AI-capable one (Rs 70,000–Rs 80,000) was too wide—around 30–50%. Many buyers were unwilling to pay that much extra when their usage didn’t immediately require AI capabilities.

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