How Do I Know I Need to Replace My PC If It Looks Fine?
Computers can often look fine on the outside, then suddenly crash. Or their performance gets continually worse, even if they’re “technically” not broken.
It’s natural for a business to want to get the longest lifespan out of their equipment as they can, but when is holding onto that older PC actually holding them back?
Computers age for a number of reasons, and even if they’re kept well maintained, there will eventually come a time when they need replacing with a new computer setup.
What are some of the factors that impact computer lifespan?
Things like quality of the parts used in a PC, how well it’s been maintained, and the type of use the computer gets on a daily basis can all impact computer lifespan.
The average computer’s usable lifespan is 3 to 5 years.
Often, if you’ve been taking good care of your computer, it can look perfectly fine, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it shouldn’t be replaced or there isn’t an impending hard drive crash coming your way.
Ideally, you want to replace your PC BEFORE a hard drive crash or other major problem that could cost you the data it contains, as well as costly downtime.
Signs That You Need to Replace Your Computer
The cost of a new PC can cause some business owners to put off that expense as long as possible, but they could end up paying a higher price for delaying too long.
Costs of working on outdated computer equipment include:
- Loss of productivity due to slow systems
- Unexpected repair costs
- Costs resulting from a ransomware attack or data breach due to poor security
- Lost opportunity costs from using outdated software
Employees can waste an average of an entire week per year just waiting on a slow computer to respond.
Here are some of the key signs that it’s time to upgrade your computer.
You Lose the Ability to Upgrade the OS or Software
When you’re using an older PC, there will come a time that you’ll get an error message when trying to upgrade software or the operating system telling you that your system does not have the necessary requirements.
Once you start running into upgrade problems, your PC is going to soon be stuck in the “dark ages” when it comes to new features and capabilities. When you get an upgrade error due to incompatibility with your computer, that’s a definite sign you need to replace it.
(If your computer can’t upgrade past Windows 7, read this!)
Updates to Existing Programs Won’t Install
One of the biggest problems with using a computer past its prime is security related. The safety of operating systems and software rely on regular updates that apply security patches for found vulnerabilities. Without those patches, hackers can easily get into your device, and through that, your network.
If you’re no longer able to install updates for things like firmware, your OS, or software, that is a big red flag that you need a new PC.
Computer Has Slowed Down
Slowdowns often happen as computers age, and while tune ups can help for a while, they can only do so much if your computer is past its usable life.
Are you waiting forever for a startup or reboot? Does multitasking tend to lock up your programs or browser? These are both typical slow down signs.
If you (or your employees) are slowed down by a sluggish computer, just 30 extra minutes throughout that day, that’s 2.5 hours of lost productivity a week. If an employee with an older, slower computer makes $20 per hour, that’s a cost of $2,600 each year in lost productivity (plus the frustration factor).
PC Has Gotten Louder
One of the signs of an impending hard drive crash is if a PC has gotten louder over time. If you can hear it “thinking” rather loudly, that is a sign that internal parts may be wearing out and if you don’t replace it and transfer your data to a new PC, you could suffer a crash out of the blue, making the data transfer process much more difficult.
Repairs Are Starting to Add Up
When you have a vehicle, and it starts needing one expensive repair after another, that’s a sign that it’s time to get a new car. The same is true of computer equipment.
If you’re having to have a business computer serviced often and have parts replaced, that’s your cue that it’s time to put it out to pasture and replace it with a new PC.
You Start Experiencing Hardware Compatibility Issues
If that new projector you just purchased for the office can’t connect to your laptop due to lack of the right port or other compatibility issues, this is another sign that your computer needs to be replaced.
Hardware manufacturers are looking to the future, not the past, so the older your PC gets, the fewer hardware options you’re going to have.
Get Help Upgrading Your PC and Securing Your Data
Upgrading to a new computer doesn’t have to be stressful when it comes to data transfer. Our C Solutions experts can ensure all your files, settings, and software are transferred intact and can even help you with any training you need on a new operating system.
Schedule a free PC consultation today! Call 407-536-8381 or reach us online.