Did you know the estimated cost of keeping a business PC in operation longer than four years can cost your company nearly $3000 annually?

One of our roles in providing business IT support is to recommend when a company should replace its computers. Like most tech-related topics, when you change out your computers will depend on several factors, including your industry, what you use the computers for, and how old they are.

Most IT companies will tell you that computers can function for up to ten years. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you should keep them in service for that length of time. In most cases, investing in new computers ensures you can run the latest software and reduce the risk of breakdowns that wipe out your data.

CEG provides affordable, capable IT services that ensure your business’s computers keep pace with your needs. And when it’s time to replace your equipment, we’re here to simplify the decision-making process and make data migration a breeze.

When Should You Replace Your Business’s Computers?

As a business owner, you do your best to get the most out of your computers, but there does come a time you’ll need to invest in new models.

Why? Because when you keep using the same computers for too long, you could begin to notice a drop in team member productivity and equipment efficiency. Older, slower computers can cost you in other ways, too, including:

  1. Increasing the risk of data breaches.
  2. More frequent and costlier service calls and repairs.
  3. Increased business downtime.

Okay, so how long should you keep a computer or workstation before putting it out to pasture? Conventional wisdom for various industries is:

  • 3 years for engineering, 3D design, and architectural design firms that use CAD.
  • 4 to 6 years for wineries and other companies that rely on computers for administrative work.
  • 4 years for healthcare providers.

Though these figures suggest it’s okay to keep certain computers in service longer than four years, industry tech leaders like Intel say three to four years or less is ideal, as the total cost of ownership begins to rise significantly by year four.

One exception is Mac computers, which can generally last up to six years. It’s important to remember, though, that current versions of Mac OS X aren’t supported on Apple computers over five years old. And since Apple comes out with a new operating system annually, you might find you need to replace your Macs sooner.

Of course, you’ll also need to replace your computers or workstations if they run an OS that’s no longer supported by the manufacturer.

Business IT Support You Can Count On

Keeping your business’s tech equipment current is essential to maintaining productivity and data security. To avoid aging computers impacting your business initiatives and bottom line, talk to CEG today to learn how replacing your equipment as recommended will help you control costs and drive business growth.