“My computer is not running like it used to. Should I upgrade it or replace it?”
This is a common question that we hear regularly from our clients. It’s likely you’ve wondered this about your own PC at some point. Computer hardware is a significant investment so it’s no surprise that companies may wish to delay replacing their PCs as long as possible. Doing so may be costing you in ways you are not measuring.
How often should you replace your PC? We recommend that PCs be replaced every 3 to 4 years. And here’s why:
1. Improved Uptime
Market analyst Techaisle reports new PCs experience 40% less downtime than PCs that are older than 3 years of age. Aging PCs experience an average of 5 incidents per year with an average downtime of 10 hours per incident. That’s an average of 50 hours per year of unscheduled downtime for every PC that is greater than 3 years of age. The Department of Labor estimates the average hourly pay rate to be $20 per PC worker. The resulting cost of this lost productivity is $1,000 per staff member using outdated equipment.
2. Improved Processing Performance
Moore’s Law states the overall processing power of a computer doubles every two years. As computer processing becomes more robust, opportunities arise for the development of more sophisticated software applications. This is great news for users of new PCs. New software updates lead to enhanced features that promote ease of use and increase workplace productivity. This is bad for users of old hardware whose outdated systems are likely to prevent them from accessing the latest releases.
3. Improved Security
As new operating systems are released, ongoing support ends for older systems. This is what Windows XP users faced in the spring of 2014. You may think, “That’s ok. I’ve never had to call Microsoft for support of my Operating System.” The reality is that if you are maintaining your computer properly, you’ve been receiving support on a regular basis from the day you purchased your PC.
Operating Systems receive regular updates to protect users from the latest viruses and malware attacks that are written to specifically exploit users of those given systems. Once a manufacturer chooses to “sunset” or no longer support an older operating system, users no longer receive these important updates. This leaves users (and their data) vulnerable to new attacks.
The message here is simple. Fewer computer outages keeps workers working, increases productivity, enhances network security, and keeps business moving. Instead of asking yourself, “what will it cost my business to upgrade my outdated PCs?” ask yourself, “What is it costing my business if I don’t?”
