Computers are a huge investment for any company, and unfortunately, the cost never really goes away. As with any new tech, computers eventually age and become outdated. When that happens, you’re in the market for a new computer system at your company, or at the very least, computer tech support services. But how do you know when the time has come to upgrade? Explore the 10 signs your company’s computer systems need an upgrade below.
One of the biggest signs that your computer needs an upgrade is that the speed has slowed immensely over the years. As computers age, they may struggle to keep up with the demands of newer software, which often requires more memory and processing power. Even though you can free up storage by deleting old data, older hardware specs may still prevent modern applications from running efficiently. Upgrading to a newer system that's compatible with current software helps maintain optimal speed and functionality.
Similar to slow internet speeds, you may also be experiencing your screen freezing and crashes happening. These instances are often caused by huge amounts of data compiled over the years. With an overload of information, your screen is more likely to freeze up or crash. If you find yourself constantly having to restart your computer because it’s indefinitely frozen, it’s the perfect time to invest in some system upgrades.
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As technology advances, your older software and updates start to become irrelevant with modern advancements. Older technologies are swapped out for newer technologies to keep up with updated performance features, better security, and more efficient programs. Once a significantly better version of the tech is released, the old format is slowly rolled back until it’s removed entirely. If your computer is extremely old, it won’t be compatible with the newer tech either. When multiple apps are deemed obsolete, that’s when you know you’ll need to upgrade.
Computers are meant to be relatively quiet, but they can become noisier with age. As the computer ages, the tech within it needs to work harder to keep up with all the data and storage slowing it down. Therefore, the computer heats up faster, and the fan gets louder and is on more often to accommodate. If your computer seems noisier than usual, that’s a huge sign that you’ll need to invest in new company computer systems.
Over time, your computer battery and your computer’s ability to charge wear down and eventually become shot. If your computer is draining progressively faster and charging takes longer, your battery is likely reaching the end of its life. With the age of your computer, it’s not exactly feasible to simply replace the battery. It’s more cost-effective to invest in newer computer systems for your company than having to swap out everything only for your computers to inevitably age out shortly anyway.
Constantly getting reminders that your memory is running low isn’t a great sign for the youth of your computer. The easiest fix is to simply buy a newer computer with more memory and without the years of updates slowing it down. Oftentimes, low memory warnings are due to the years of data and the limited storage space of older computers, so updating your computer is a fast and effective fix. Another simple solution for low memory is getting started with cloud-based storage. If you need help, we have managed IT support specialists ready at Premier IT to get you started.
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An overheating computer is never a good sign. If your laptop or PC is habitually hot and always has the integrated fan working hard to keep up, that’s likely because your system is getting overloaded with years of data and your system is starting to slow. Overheating is one of the earliest signs that there’s a lot more going on than regular maintenance issues.
Security systems are the first to go, often aging out before the computer itself has started seeing problems. Data breaches and cyber-attacks are more likely to happen to companies with older computer systems because they often can’t download the newest updates, often made for modern technology. On top of that, older computers often lack processing power or advanced antivirus software that protects against these scenarios. If you find security issues keep happening, updating your company’s computer systems is the first step to preventing future issues. Another great fix for security breaches is to work with computer support services like our team at Premier IT. Working with a professional IT team can reduce the risk of security breaches in the meantime until you choose to upgrade to a newer system.
If it takes forever to boot up your computer, it’s likely because your system is getting older and can’t keep up with modern technology and programs. As a hard drive ages, it becomes slower with every year trying to maintain everything amidst a world of newer, larger programs with all new features. On top of that, your device may not have the new software necessary to run things at adequate speeds. Overall, hardware failure becomes more likely as time goes on with outdated computer systems.
Each of the above tips signals that your computer may need to be swapped out for a newer, more age-appropriate model, but the biggest sign that you should swap systems is that your original device is old and outdated. Most laptops last 3 to 5 years and desktops last an average of 7 or 8 years. With more use, computers may be ready to update sooner rather than later, too.
If your computer system is still relatively new, chances are that you may just need some help in the IT department. Using a managed IT service provider like Premier IT should help you get in tip-top shape.
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Updating all your company’s computer systems at once can be a huge endeavor that you may be unprepared for. However, keeping these signs top of mind makes it easier to determine when you need to swap out your company’s devices. If you need extra help choosing newer, updated technology or need help keeping your current tech updated and secure, Premier IT has years of experience in the industry. Our managed IT professionals can help you find the technology necessary to support your business needs, assist with setup, ensure your computer systems are properly maintained, and more.
Premier IT is a Minnesota based managed IT services provider with a dedicated IT support team that manages all your technology needs. We pay attention to the details so you can focus on what you do best. We provide technical consulting, hosted infrastructure, computer & network support, security, Microsoft support, repairs, network monitoring and more. If your small business needs reliable technical support, contact our team of experienced technicians and engineers.