Why You Should Replace Your Pandemic-Era Computer Now
It’s hard to believe four years have passed since the pandemic sent the world into a tailspin, dramatically changing our daily lives. Wearing masks, canceling countless celebrations, endless hand washing, fighting for the last pack of toilet paper at the market, and of course the mass exodus of the workforce to remote work.
To accommodate those remote workers, an estimated 130 million to 150 million PCs and laptops were purchased in 2020 and 2021 in the US alone. With the average lifespan of a PC or laptop at three to five years, purchases to replace those 150 million computers have already begun. And just like the pandemic, when it was near impossible to find a roll of toilet paper at the market, if you wait too long to upgrade your computers, trying to find the supplies you need may be difficult.
Here’s why it might be time to replace your pandemic-era computer in the (very) near future.
Outdated Hardware and Performance Limitations: Computers purchased during the pandemic were often mid-range models, chosen quickly to meet immediate needs. While they might have been adequate for basic tasks like video conferencing, browsing, and word processing, you may now find that they struggle with more demanding applications or multitasking. As software becomes more advanced, older hardware may lag, leading to slow boot times, frequent crashes, and overall sluggish performance. Replacing your computer with a model that has the latest processors, more RAM, and faster storage will give you the power and speed needed to keep up with today’s demands.
Incompatibility with New Software: Software developers continuously push the boundaries of what applications can do, which often means that older hardware can’t keep up. If you’ve noticed that your computer struggles to run the latest versions of essential software or if you’re unable to upgrade to the newest operating systems like Windows 11, it’s a strong indication that your hardware is becoming obsolete.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE:
Microsoft Windows 10 has stopped receiving feature upgrades and the last security patches will be issued in October 2025. Windows 11 has specific hardware compatibility requirements that may require you to upgrade your computers. This will place additional demand for computer components in the upcoming year, potentially raising prices and/or lead times. Our advice is to review your hardware and begin your Windows 11 implementation plan now.
If you plan on using AI applications: Newer computers, with their higher processing power, Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), and AI accelerators are designed to handle the heavy computations of AI algorithms more efficiently than older models. Additionally, a newer model computer can handle AI applications that require more RAM and storage to speed up data access and processing. While you may be able to use AI applications on your older computer, a new computer provides significant advantages in speed, efficiency, and capability.
Security Concerns: Older computers are more vulnerable to security risks. As your operating system and software become outdated, they may no longer receive essential security updates, leaving you exposed to cyber threats. With the increasing importance of data protection, relying on a machine that no longer supports the latest security features is a risk you can’t afford to take. A new computer will come with up-to-date security protocols and support for the latest encryption standards, giving you peace of mind that your data is safe.
Limited Upgrade Potential: While it’s possible to upgrade certain components of your pandemic-era computer, such as adding more RAM or swapping out the hard drive for an SSD, these upgrades have their limits. The underlying architecture of older systems may not support the latest technologies, such as faster PCIe 4.0 SSDs, Wi-Fi 6E, or Thunderbolt 4 ports. Moreover, investing in piecemeal upgrades might only offer a temporary solution and could end up costing nearly as much as a new machine. Replacing your computer allows you to take advantage of all the latest hardware advancements in one package.
Higher Prices and Limited Supply: More than 616 million PCs and laptops were purchased during the pandemic worldwide and all of those computers are at or near their lifespan. Add to that, the additional computer requirements needed to handle AI, advanced security features, and migration to Windows 11, a massive surge of PC/laptop purchases is beginning. Demand and potential future tariffs on Chinese computer components may drive up prices and affect supply. Although your computer may still be serving you well now, don’t wait until you have a critical need to start upgrading your computer inventory.
As pandemic-era computers age out and companies gear up to migrate to Windows 11, demand for computers and computer components is growing rapidly. Although your computers may still be serving you well now, you’ll want to get ahead of the rush to avoid extended lead times and price increases.
We are here to help. Your On Line Support Account Manager can work with you to review your current hardware and determine a plan of upgrades or replacements that works for your business.
