How and Why to Upgrade Your Business Computers and What to Do With the Old Ones

( Newswire.net — July 1, 2021) — If your business computers are not upgraded, you could be missing out on performance improvements that could make your workday easier and more efficient. Computer Recycling shares the reasons why it is a good idea to consider upgrading old computers and how you can properly dispose of your unused machines.

1. Greater Security

Older computers are at a greater risk of being hacked. According to Security Magazine, hackers around the world attack machines every 39 seconds, affecting one-third of all Americans each year.

This happens because old computers generally run old software, which has been on the market long enough for hackers to discover its flaws. Companies producing the software eventually stop releasing updates, leaving old software vulnerable to new viruses and attacks.

Getting new computers can help secure your company’s data and make sure that you are not being taken advantage of through viruses and malware.

2. Preventing Data Loss

One of the primary reasons to upgrade an old computer is to make sure you have a new and viable hard drive to save your precious information. Hard drives have a finite lifespan, and the longer you use one, the more likely it is to fail. You should, of course, have a robust backup system, but in case you do not, you will lose data and possibly years’ worth of work.

3. Faster Performance

Old computers are slower than new ones. Old computers may especially struggle when asked to run new versions of software, which require more memory, a better graphics card, and more processing power to cope with. You may be able to use an old computer for a few years, but you will find yourself frustrated and unable to get your work done on time after that.

4. Avoiding Interruptions to Your Business

If you are running old computers, your system will likely go down at some point. Understandably, times are tough, but upgrading your computers before they become obsolete can help you avoid business interruptions and keep your customers happy. There is nothing more frustrating for a customer than to call a company for help and find out that they cannot do anything because their computers are down.

5. Tax Deductions

Getting new computers could mean a tax deduction for your company. If you were planning on making this purchase, try to do so before the end of the current tax year to ensure that you receive all of the tax accommodations you are entitled to.

6. Saving Money

Many businesses hang onto their old computers for much too long. They constantly replace parts, wasting money that they could be spending on an all-new system. Buying a new system from scratch is far less expensive than doing constant upgrades on your old system.

7. Happy Employees

Employees become disgruntled when their computers aren’t working well. Every day can be a struggle when an employee is forced to cope with the demands of coaxing an old computer to work well enough to get their job done. Employees hate having to tell customers that they would love to help them but can’t because their computers are not working properly.

8. Software Support

When you have old computers, you will probably find that software companies will no longer support their products after a certain period of time. They have moved forward to versions that can be used on new and up-to-date machines, while your company is stuck in the past. Not having the ability to get proper support for your software could cause serious problems with productivity.

What to Do With Old Machines

When you have decided to upgrade your business’s computers, you will need to find a strategy to safely and securely dispose of the old ones. Many companies neglect the necessity of properly disposing of their old electronic equipment. This could cause data theft and environmental harm.

To properly recycle a computer, Computer Recycling recommends finding a reputable company to handle the task. Their company can remove and recycle computers in accordance with all current guidelines.

Proper recycling includes removing all of the hazardous materials that are enclosed. These include heavy metals like lead and mercury, which can cause harm to the environment and human health. Precious metals should be recovered to keep them from going into the waste stream. Recyclable materials like plastic and glass can be recovered and used to make new computers and monitors.

Safely Shredding Your Hard Drive

One of the areas you should ask about when looking for a computer recycler is their old hard drives. Some computer recyclers merely wipe hard drives. A skilled hacker may be able to access a wiped hard drive. Other companies like Computer Recycling can securely shred them to prevent all future data access.

Time to Upgrade

When taking all of these points into consideration, it becomes clear that using old computers past their time is counterproductive. When it is time to discard your old computers, make sure that a reputable company securely recycles them.

Originally published at https://newswire.net on July 1, 2021.