When support for Windows* XP and Microsoft* Office 2003 ended on April 8, a lot of people were left in the lurch. Antiquated, vulnerable computing equipment leaves the business looking equally antiquated and vulnerable, yet investing in new hardware and/or software has dissuaded many business owners from upgrading their systems. Ultimately, as with any investment, it’s ideal to compare your immediate ROI to your future ROI. Spend a chunk of your budget today on technology that will move your business forward tomorrow, or save the money today so that tomorrow you can spend it on damage control.
If you run PCs that are more than four years old—especially if they run the Microsoft Windows* XP operating system—it’s time to refresh your PCs. The end of support means no more security patches from Microsoft* or support from your independent software vendor (ISV) whose products run on Windows* XP. Your PCs will be vulnerable to harmful viruses, spyware, and other malicious software, which can steal or damage your business data and information.
Older PCs also cost more to repair and hinder productivity because of their slow performance. A recent Techaisle global survey of 736 small businesses in six countries found that the cost to repair an older PC equals or even exceeds the cost of buying a new one. The study reveals that small businesses are spending an average of US $427 per PC that is four years or older on repair costs. If you have just three computers, that’s $1,281 a year.
The study also found that when comparing a four year old PC to a new PC, businesses experience a variety of costs as a result of maintaining legacy computing equipment. Annual upgrade costs end up approximately 40% higher, with 1.5x more repairs, and 21 productivity hours lost due to repair time. If you’re reading this on your old PC, maybe it’s time to rethink your business’s overall efficiency. It’s time to replace old systems with new Intel processor-based computers running the Windows* 8 Pro operating system and Microsoft Office 365.
Within the Intel® Core ™ processor family, there’s a tremendous selection of devices meant to fulfill your business needs. From the All-in-One PC to the Ultrabook™, Intel processor-based devices are compatible with your company’s x86 applications, peripherals, and drivers, meaning you can enjoy seamless integration of devices into your existing computing environment. And when used in combination with the stylish ease of Windows* 8 and the transformative cloud-based capabilities of Microsoft Office 365, these devices can be the gateway to productivity and maximum efficiency for your small business.
If you’re still reading this on your old PC, don’t wait another minute. Refresh today. It could be the momentum you’ve been waiting for.
For more on the cessation of support for old PCs, check out What Does Windows* XP End-of-Support Mean to My Business located in the Educate section on The Modern Tour resource page.
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