1) Should I just upgrade to Windows 11 since my computer can handle it?
Yes! You have 3 months (till Oct. 2025) to upgrade your systems or replace them. Windows 11 is mature enough now that if you are running outdated software, you will need to reconsider it’s security implications.
Please feel free to upgrade to Windows 11 through the Windows Update tool. We have very rare instances of issues with the upgrade at this time. We always encourage that you have a backup of your files regardless.
2) Can I just keep using the computers I have?
Yes – through Oct. 2025 you can run any computer running Windows 10. We encourage clients to be ahead of the deadline and plan to turn of all systems running Windows 10 after the EOL (end of life) date as they will not receive security updates and become a liability on your network.
3) Will you upgrade our systems for us?
YES! We will be reaching out to clients to upgrade all systems to Windows 11 over the next 11 months. We will run a backup and install the latest version of Window 11 in coordination with each client/staff and plan accordingly for troubleshooting any issues that come up.
4) Should I just replace all my computers?
Depends. Advantage Computing does encourage clients to replace any computer that is more than 1 year out of warranty (typically 4 years old) as the reliability and speed differences of the newer processors tens to lead to less technical problems and more productivity for your staff. If finances don’t allow for a full replacement of all computers, a gradual roll out from oldest to newest is a prudent and cost affective approach.
A 25% upgrade approach every year will help you keep your tech debt low. Replace/upgrade the oldest computers in your fleet regularly to avoid having to expend large amounts of funds.
5) Is there an alternative to spending upwards of $1000 for a new computer?
YES! But you may not like it. Windows and macOS dominate the market but Linux has matured to a point where we are working on rebuilding older computers to run Linux. If all you need is a web-browser to check your email or browse the internet, it’s a great cheap option to stay ahead of security issues by getting away from Windows 10 but still use your old hardware. Keep your eye out on updates from us for options.
For Businesses that have a lot of extra computers – you could consider turning some of them into Linux Boxes for your conference room or empty workstations where someone just needs to jump on a device. It works with JumpCloud and our remote software so we can still support you.