Business computers don’t fail on a schedule, but they do have a useful life. Most organizations get the best value by planning replacements instead of waiting for machines to die at the worst possible moment.
A typical lifespan
For most business laptops and desktops, four to five years is a reasonable planning cycle. Heavier workloads, like design or large spreadsheets, may justify a shorter cycle; light use can stretch it.
Signs it’s time
- It can’t run a supported operating system. Windows 10 reached end of support in October 2025. Computers that can’t upgrade to Windows 11 no longer receive regular security updates.
- The warranty has expired and repairs would cost a meaningful share of a new machine.
- Everyday slowness (long startups, freezing during video calls, running out of memory) is costing your employees time every day.
- The battery no longer lasts through a meeting or a morning away from the desk.
Do the math: ten minutes of lost time a day adds up to more than 40 hours a year for one employee, often worth more than the cost of a new computer.
Stagger replacements
Replacing a portion of your computers each year keeps spending predictable and avoids a large, all-at-once expense. A technology roadmap makes this easy to plan and budget.
Retire old machines safely
Old computers hold sensitive data. Make sure drives are securely wiped or destroyed, accounts are removed, and licenses are recovered before equipment leaves your office.