Trying to get the most from your existing hardware by ignoring the fact it sounds like it’s about to take off every time you turn it on? You’re not alone.
When a business buys tech, it’s common to seek their money’s worth by essentially running these devices into the ground, ignoring signs of poor performance.
While this may seem like the most cost-effective option on the surface, it can have a wide range of hidden consequences, including damaging team productivity, job satisfaction, staff retention, and the recruitment of new hires.
What is the potential impact at work of using outdated devices?
Finding it difficult to say goodbye to your outdated devices?
Before you get too upset, it’s worth learning more about the potential impact of holding onto your old hardware too long.
Widespread inefficiencies
Most companies are concerned about efficiency – and for good reason.
Fundamental to driving profitability and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the business, ensuring operations are as efficient as possible can make a tangible difference to a business’s bottom line.
The type of hardware you invest in, alongside how you source it, can help to streamline processes, optimise resources, and decrease operational costs.
Subsequently, poorly performing hardware can cause widespread inefficiencies, having a negative impact across these areas.
Drop in productivity
When your team is dealing with slow, lagging, or unreliable hardware, you’ll quickly see productivity drop – especially if your employees heavily rely on their computers or laptops to do their day-to-day jobs.
Even if they only occasionally use the outdated hardware as part of their daily roles and responsibilities, occasional crashes, frequent loading delays, and software incompatibility can all significantly hinder team productivity.
Decrease in staff retention
Linked to the drop in productivity, is the near-constant frustration that staff feel having to handle regular hardware issues when the tech is no longer fit for purpose.
Whether they’re frustrated about having recurring meetings with IT support, are unable to do their job properly, or feel unheard by their employer when they raise hardware concerns, this can all lead to a drop job satisfaction, having a potentially negative impact on staff retention.
Increased maintenance costs
With older technology, it’s likely that you’ll need to invest more money into maintenance and repairs to keep it in good condition.
This is due to more frequent performance issues driven by things like general wear and tear, battery degradation, software incompatibility, and the accumulation of dirt and debris inside the laptop or computer.
Cybersecurity risks
While all devices carry some kind of security risk, older devices are particularly vulnerable due to a lack of updates, known security issues being targeted by cybercriminals, reduced processing power, and software incompatibilities.
Regardless of whether sensitive customer data is breached, funds are stolen directly from company bank accounts, or unpatched legacy systems allow cybercriminals to bring production to a halt in exchange for money, outdated hardware can be the source of financial and reputational devastation.
Are older devices more vulnerable to cybersecurity threats?
Yes, older devices are typically far more vulnerable to cybersecurity threats for several reasons, including:
Lack of security updates: Due to a process known as End of Support (EOS) or End of Life (EOL), older devices stop receiving critical security updates and bug fixes from the manufacturer after a certain point – often when they’ve been superseded by newer technology.
This means new security issues aren’t fixed, and they become significantly more vulnerable to malware, ransomware, and unauthorised access.
Known vulnerabilities: As cybercriminals are aware that manufacturers will eventually stop updating these older devices, they will often look to exploit known security issues in legacy hardware, making businesses that use these models more of a target.
Limited processing power: Multiple aspects of older hardware – including accumulated files, hardware and battery degradation, dust buildup – alongside the creation of newer, more demanding programs all contribute to the limited processing power of outdated hardware.
In short, due to their inadequate processing power they often struggle to handle modern software demands.
Software incompatibilities: To run more demanding, modern software smoothly, the hardware being used must possess updated drivers, fast processors, lots of RAM, and plenty of storage.
Outdated hardware often doesn’t possess the necessary capabilities to do this, leading to software incompatibilities – especially with regards to security measures, such as advanced encryption and multi-factor authentication.
How regularly should my company’s tech be refreshed?
If you want to significantly reduce the likelihood of issues relating to cybersecurity, efficiency, and recruitment in your business, then regular tech refreshes are essential.
Most technology companies recommend adopting a tech refresh cycle (a scheduled process of replacing or upgrading IT infrastructure) of between three to five years.
However, it’s important to bear in mind that this is just a rough guideline – the most effective tech refresh cycle will depend on your company’s specific requirements including budget constraints, security needs, and performance demands.
Signs to look for that devices need upgrading
With the typical tech refresh cycle being between three to five years, it can be difficult to determine exactly when you should consider upgrading your devices.
Should you wait until five years to get the most out of your money? Or, would upgrading at three prevent you from wasting time and resources on outdated hardware?
Here are some signs to look for:
Poor performance
It’s no secret that over time, computers and laptops naturally slow down, causing widespread inefficiencies that can cost your business valuable time and money.
Once excessive fan noise, overheating, long loading times, and lagging become regular, unwelcome occurrences to the extent they become concerning or cause daily frustration, it’s worth exploring your upgrade options.
Increased repair costs
Concerned that you’re throwing more money at simply sustaining old hardware than investing in modern devices? We recommend keeping a close eye on exactly how much you’re spending on maintaining your existing hardware.
If these costs are starting to exceed the price of buying or leasing new hardware, then focusing your finances on reinvestment rather than maintenance may be a smarter way to spend your hardware budget.
Compatibility issues
Modern and updated software has been specifically designed for using with newer, high-performance hardware. Unfortunately, older devices are simply not equipped to run this software in the same way, often lacking the required CPU, GPU, or RAM specifications.
This can lead to modern applications refusing to install or creating performance issues, such as freezing, crashing, or thermal throttling. While throttling helps to avoid physical damage to the hardware, it significantly slows down performance.
Battery problems
Another key sign that it may be time to upgrade your hardware is ongoing battery issues.
As computer and laptop batteries naturally degrade over time, you may notice related problems such as the battery draining too quickly, requiring constant charging to keep it running smoothly, or even physically swelling.
Storage struggles
Always running out of space on your existing hardware? If you’re being forced to delete old files to make room for new ones every time you power up your device, it’s probably time to consider securing updated hardware.
While installing internal drives or even exploring external storage options can help to alleviate these issues, constantly running out of storage space can indicate that a complete hardware upgrade is necessary.
How can I upgrade my company’s computer hardware?
Coming up against mounting hardware repairs costs or regular compatibility issues?
When you’re ready to upgrade your company’s hardware, there are several options you can explore – each with their own benefits and areas to consider.
This includes:
Purchasing new
| Benefits | Considerations |
| Fast and efficient new tech | High upfront costs and investment needed |
| Comes with a manufacturer warranty | Can depreciate quickly depending on make |
| Company owns the assets outright | Puts pressure on company cashflow |
| Freedom to change how equipment is used or altered | Company is responsible for maintenance and repairs |
Leasing new (typically)
| Benefits | Considerations |
| Fast and efficient new tech | High upfront costs and investment needed |
| Extended hardware warranties | Company doesn’t own the assets |
| Supports greater company cash flow | Equipment must be returned at the end of the lease period if not purchased |
| Minimises maintenance and repair costs | Returning devices can come with strict conditions and potential penalties |
| Purchasing is often required at fair market value, which can be expensive and unpredictable | |
| Appears cheaper, but can come with hidden fees, often relating to things like excessive usage, early termination, or administration |
Leasing new (with Lease Loop!)
| Benefits | Considerations |
| Fast and efficient new tech | More expensive than buying in the long run |
| Extended hardware warranties | Company doesn’t own the assets |
| Freedom to return, upgrade, or extend the lease and retain the devices, if desired | Equipment must be returned at the end of the lease period if not purchased – requiring time and administration and causing disruption |
| Predictable total costs with no hidden fees or nasty surprises | |
| Minimises maintenance and repair costs | |
| Supports greater company cash flow |
At Lease Loop, we provide affordable Apple tech leasing solutions, ensuring you receive brand new equipment complete with a three-year hardware warranty and 24/7 AppleCare support.
To learn more about the benefits of leasing your hardware from Lease Loop, why not get in touch with our knowledgeable team today?
Make upgrading effortless with Lease Loop
Eager to equip your team with the latest Apple tech but concerned about high upfront costs and the lack of hardware protection after just one year?
At Lease Loop, we offer a wide range of cost-effective Apple leasing solutions that are designed to make upgrading your outdated hardware easy – from securely recycling your existing tech to supplying you with newer models that benefit from a reassuring three-year hardware warranty and 24/7 AppleCare support.
Whether you want to attract and retain key staff members, create a more productive workforce, or simply speed up operations, we’ll work with you to identify the most suitable Apple tech leasing options for your specific needs.
To find out more about our affordable and tailored Apple Mac leasing solutions for businesses across the UK, please don’t hesitate to speak to our helpful team today!
Call 01952876928, email sales@leaseloop.co, or reach out online to start your journey.