The longer you use technology, the more you get used to its quirks and “little issues.” For example, you might be so used to your screen locking up with one too many browser tabs open that rebooting to continue your work is second nature. Or you may have adopted a workaround to that key that continually pops off the keyboard.
It gets to a point where using old technology at home or work is dragging you down and you don’t even realize it. The costliest productivity losses are those that happen incrementally a minute here and two minutes there. This is because they’re often unnoticed but can add up to hours lost per week.
Not to mention the increased frustration and stress that comes from working with technology that’s well past its prime. When you’re working on a deadline and somehow your computer just knows it and starts “acting up” it can be maddening. Yet people still end up struggling because they’re trying to get as much usable life out of their PC as possible. But what they’re losing, as a result, is often much more costly.
This is particularly the case with business PCs that can significantly impact staff productivity and thus a company’s bottom line.
Keeping a computer in operation too long can cost a business $2,736 per year in productivity losses and repair costs.
Just like cars, computers reach a point where the cost of PC repairs and inconvenience outweigh the costs of buying a new one.
Why It’s Important to Replace Your Out-Dated Technology
What’s the usable lifespan of a computer? It can vary according to quality and use, but several studies of business PC use put the average at 3-4 years. After that time performance drops considerably and costs go up.
According to a study by Intel, the cost of ownership of a PC increases quite a bit between years three and four due to the higher maintenance costs.
Graph from a study by Intel
Have you been struggling with outdated technology, thinking “maybe I can just get another year out of it?” Then, it’s most likely past the time that you were due for an upgrade.
Here are several benefits of upgrading your older computer, printer, and other technology.
You Can Save Money By Upgrading
According to a Microsoft study, 70% of small and mid-sized businesses are struggling with older technology. The study also found that the total cost of owning a computer that is four or more years old was enough to replace it with not one, but two or more newer models.
By upgrading, you could save money, not to mention getting all the other benefits that a newer system offers.
Improved IT Security
Older systems can end up with outdated operating systems and software. When your PC is missing vital security patches and updates it can leave you like a sitting duck for data breaches and ransomware attacks.
According to the Intel study on old technology, computers that are older than four years have security breaches 3x more often than PCs that are less than three years old.
The potential cost of one of those breaches could be more than buying an entirely new IT security infrastructure. The average cost of a data breach for a small business is $200,000.
A newer computer will have up-to-date security features and a current operating system that is regularly receiving patches and updates.
Reduce Costly Downtime
Downtime is expensive, whether you’re a business with 25 employees or a freelancer working for yourself. Every minute counts, and when your technology is out of commission, you can’t run your business properly.
Older technology can cost you hours per week in downtime, both the smaller downtime, where you’re struggling with a boot problem for 25 minutes and the larger episodes, like a hard drive crash.
Often, just the reduction of downtime and disruption that it causes more than pays you back for the cost of a new computer.
No More Trouble Finding Ink for an Older Printer
Printers are another technology that people tend to hold on to far too long. They run them until they can’t print right anymore, but in the meantime, put up with problems such as frequent paper jams and difficulty finding ink.
The older a printer is, the harder it is to find ink cartridges, because manufacturers end up phasing them out. Manufacturing capabilities typically advance quickly, causing manufacturers to discontinue making cartridges for older printers that they no longer sell.
Get Help Choosing & Setting Up a New Computer
Carl’s Computer Care can help you find the best computer for your Louisiana business or home office. We’ll not only ensure you’re getting the best performance vs. cost value, but we can also smoothly migrate everything from the old to the new one for you.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation! Call 225-315-3498 or reach us online.