Should I Repair or Replace My Business Computer?

One of the most common questions we get: is it worth repairing this computer, or should we replace it? Here's a practical framework. General rule of thumb: If the repair cost exceeds 50% of what a comparable new or refurbished computer would cost, replacement is usually the better investment. Age matters a lot: - Under 3 years old: Repair almost always makes sense - 3–5 years: Consider the repair cost vs. remaining useful life - 5+ years: Replacement is often the better long-term value, even for minor issues - 7+ years: Replace. Modern software requirements have likely outpaced the hardware. Signs it's time to replace: - The computer is running Windows 10 and can't upgrade to Windows 11 (Windows 10 reaches end of support October 2025) - It has less than 8GB of RAM and a traditional spinning hard drive (not SSD) - It takes more than 2 minutes to fully boot - It struggles with basic tasks like email, web browsing, or Office apps - You've repaired it multiple times in the past two years - It's had a hardware failure (motherboard, GPU) on a machine that's already old Affordable upgrades that can extend life 2–3 years: - Upgrading from a traditional hard drive (HDD) to an SSD — this is the single biggest performance improvement you can make - Adding RAM (upgrading from 4GB to 8GB or 8GB to 16GB) - These upgrades on a 3–4 year old machine can cost $100–$200 and feel like a new computer What we can do: - Assess your current hardware and give you an honest recommendation - Source and configure replacement computers (business-grade hardware) - Migrate your data, settings, and programs to the new machine - Dispose of old hardware securely (data destruction included) Don't buy a consumer-grade computer for business use: Best Buy and Walmart computers are built for home users. Business-class computers (Dell OptiPlex, HP EliteDesk, Lenovo ThinkCentre) have better build quality, warranties, and support options. Call us before you buy anything — we can recommend the right hardware for your needs and budget.