How frustrating is it when your computer just doesn’t want to cooperate, whether it takes its sweet time starting up in the morning or decides to go on break in the middle of a meeting? How frustrating it is to see it happening to your team members, fully aware that they are feeling the same frustration you would? How much does it cost you, all events converging over time?

How much of a relief would it be if all these problems stemmed from one source: it being the time to retire that particular piece of hardware and replace it with something new?

How Long Should the Average Professional Workstation Last?

As is the case with so much in business, it depends. 

Technically speaking, a hardware refresh cycle is the schedule that plans when older computers will be replaced. The tipping point is reached when a device’s decline in performance and increase in repair costs outweigh the cost of procuring a new machine.

If this sounds pricey, you would be surprised by how much less power a newer device uses and how much faster it runs compared to just a three-year-old system.

So, Don’t Wait Until It Breaks?

If you’re worried about finances in any way, shape, or form, absolutely not. Having to replace hardware in an emergency—without time to plan or budget—will be more expensive.

First, the employee whose hardware needs replacing is suddenly up the river without a paddle. This is downtime of the worst degree. Every minute it takes to get that hardware costs money… there’s the cost of replacing the hardware, of course, plus the likely fees from expediting its shipping. However, you also still need to pay your employee, even though their ability to do their job is temporarily paused.

So, when we say finances in any way, shape, or form, we mean it.

How Can You Tell It’s Time to Update Your Hardware?

There are a few signs that your hardware has run its course and should be replaced. For instance:

• If your hardware is getting excessively hot, or its fans are consistently running at top speed, it may be time to change it out.
• If even the most basic applications are slow to load or respond to basic commands, your hardware may need an update.
• If you are unable to install the latest security updates, you need to update your tech.

How Can You Find Help?

Simple: call 415 IT. We’ll help prevent the interruptions that plague the day and keep your business running smoothly. Reach out at (415) 295-4898 to learn more.