Laptops and workstations slow down over time. The quantity of applications grows, the newest apps demand yet more I/O, and system performance becomes sluggish. It’s inevitable. But that doesn’t stem the flood of complaints, particularly from those using the performance-intensive software. They won’t tolerate their machines taking half an age to open a program or launch a query.
That’s why IT favors a policy of replacing hardware every three years. Newer machines generally have better processors, more memory, and suffer less from maladies such as fragmentation. But that’s an expensive solution and one that may no longer be the right policy. In fact, here are three compelling reasons NOT to replace any laptops or workstations that may be at, near or past their traditional end-of-life.
1. User Impatience
Power users, and increasingly, the majority of the user population, demand everything right now – and from anywhere. They want boot ups to take one minute, not five. They expect apps to launch in seconds, not a minute. They need the answer to that query immediately, not in an hour.
These users don’t want to hear that IT is in the middle of a cloud migration. They can’t wait until the end of next year because the hardware refresh project was deferred. They won’t accept that budgetary or time constraints stand in the way of their ability to be productive. They want a solution for their immediate problems rather than waiting for a long-term fix such as a better machine.
2. Replacement Takes Months
Another reason why it may not be wise to tell users to wait for the next hardware refresh is that such projects can take months. The physical labor involved in a large organization is bad enough. Planning alone takes three months of reporting, data analysis, and purchasing. Then, going department by department and individual by individual to change devices, reinstall software, and migrate files is expensive and can take another three months at a larger organization.
Further, modern machines have so many updates and patches that a cookie cutter approach to replacement soon runs aground. Many laptops and workstations, these days, are customized to exact user needs. That adds yet more time to any refresh cycle. Power users need faster access this week, not in the latter part of next year.
3. SSD Prices Continue to Fall
Solid state devices (SSDs) used to be expensive. But that was five years ago. Since then, the price tag has dropped steadily and continues to do so. In fact, PC Gamer recently reported now is probably the best time to buy an SSD.
This means that it could be easier to upgrade laptops and workstations (of power users) that are out of warranty with a new SSD than ask users to wait for a refresh that was just deferred until next year. SSD’s with no moving parts are a smart way to extend the life of what you already have. They represent an immediate way to satisfy complaints from users of the performance-intensive software.
The latest SSDs are far larger, more powerful and more durable than those sitting in older machines. By swapping them out, you can boost app performance and bring power user complaints to an end. In addition, the deployment of new SSDs buys IT more time to complete a larger hardware refresh and eases the budgetary pressure.
The Smarter Option
When laptop warranties expire, IT generally looks to replace them. That doesn’t have to be the case. Next-generation SSDs boost performance and extend hardware lifespans. We like the Samsung SSD- 850 pro and 960 pro series. The Samsung 960 PRO and 960 EVO are designed for users who seek smaller and faster storage solutions.
These SSDs deliver higher bandwidth and lower latency for processing massive amounts of data, for everything from gaming and graphics to 4K video rendering, data analytics and more, on ultra-thin notebooks and PCs. Designed for tech enthusiasts and professionals, the 960 PRO delivers unprecedented workstation and PC performance for CAD engineering or data simulations.
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