Should you buy a bargain computer from a big chain?

Should I buy older PCs for my business from a large chain?

The short answer is, "NO."


You may be tempted to buy clearance PCs from large stores like Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi, or The Good Guys whilst they're on sale or for the peace of mind that comes with having a warranty backed by a large established chain. However, this comes with its own list of setbacks.

Concerning money

It's that old saying, "You get what you pay for." The reality is that these stores are clearing backlogs of old stock, which come with a list of issues. Older generations of intel do not come with the same features as their newer counterparts. Batteries wear, whether the device has been powered on or not. Whatever is on clearance may have also had poor sales due to issues with reliability or performance or could've been outclassed by a product in a similar price range, hence the overstock. Whilst you're saving in the short-term, you'll only have to upgrade sooner.
 

Performance


From 12th generation onwards, the new Intel CPUs have an extra set of cores that focus solely on running background processes, leaving room for the other chips on the CPU to handle tasks that directly affect the performance of your interaction with the computer. This can include how many applications you have running smoothly at the same time and how fast you can transition between and open those applications. Nobody likes to wait, right?
 

You may be familiar with the term, "RAM." This affects how much data can be held in temporary storage so that things like pictures, save states and audio can be loaded quicker. The previous and still commonly used type is called DDR4 and is still quite fast. We're now starting to see more and more new laptops and desktops using the new DDR5, which is a lot faster and more reliable. Keep an eye out for this when looking at new PCs.

 

There is also the matter of the OS (Operating System) installed with the computer. You're likely familiar with Windows 8, 10 or 11. Older computers you might find on sale might still be running on Windows 10, which Microsoft has stated will be unsupported or "end of life" on October 14, 2025. This means the computer will eventually no longer receive security updates, and you will have to manually upgrade to Windows 11. Don't worry. It's free to update from Windows 10 to 11 as of writing, but this may change so if you have Windows 10 PCs in your organization you should consult your IT professional.


If you are a business, you really should only purchase computers that have the Pro edition of Windows. This enables users to sign in with their work email and password and syncs data such as browser favorites across any devices that are connected to the organization's Microsoft 365 in the same way.

 

Keeping your IT Department or Managed Service Provider in the loop


Your IT provider will need to know when you purchase a new machine in order to make sure it is compliant with the operational and security needs of the organization. The process of selecting the correct machine and setting up the new device to meet those needs is made much simpler and faster by having them handle things. They will likely have procedures in place for setting up new devices specifically for your organization. You should also take the time to explain what you need the device to do. For example, if you need a laptop to be able to connect to a docking station then it will need to have specific types of USB ports in order to connect to multiple screens. If it is for design work like architectural design, 3D modelling, or intense photoshop/ video editing then the device may need to have a specific type of graphics card.

Warranty


Your MSP already has connections to a large network of distributors and will also often times be able to get good deals directly from manufacturers as well. This also means that they can find the right warranty for you. Standard practice is to usually get a computer with at least 3-year on-site support warranty. That means that the manufacturer themselves will come to fix the device so long as the error is hardware related, followed by the prospect of replacement.

Summary


In conclusion, your IT provider, whether in-house or MSP, will always be your best bet to get the devices that you need in order to have your company running as efficiently as possible. You will not get that same level of service from retail chains. Whilst a salesperson may genuinely want to help as best they can, they still have sales KPIs to meet and stock to shift and are incentivized to move said stock. They are also not likely to have the same understanding of your organization's operational needs such as minimum specs for applications and peripherals or that Windows Pro is required.

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