Ciara Walsh
Author
These days, virtually every type of business needs computers to operate properly. Simply put, you need desktops or laptops to reliably contact your clients, order necessary supplies, and even provide some of your services. As such, these devices should be one of the first things you purchase for your office. Theoretically, you could just order the first device you find and call it a day, but that’s a good way to needlessly waste money. It’s much better to consider a number of factors before you buy any computers for your office.
First of all, ask yourself if your PCs need to be brand new or mint-condition used computers would be enough. Then, think about any possible space limitations of your office and choose your favored operating system. Finally, base your specs around the type of work done in your office and determine what sort of computer peripherals you need.
Explore these tips below and learn all there is to buying PCs for your business!
5 factors to consider when buying computers for your office. Source: depositphotos.com
New vs. Used Computers
Before you go out to buy any computers for your office, you should first determine if new or used computers are the best choice for your new office. Brand new computers have a number of particular advantages. First of all, they are fresh off the production line, meaning there is no wear and tear in any component. What’s more, they usually have a year or two of warranty, which means that broken units can get easily replaced with no additional costs. They may also be more aesthetically pleasing simply because their design is fresher.
On the other hand, mint-condition used PCs are usually much cheaper to buy and upgrade. If you’re on a tight budget, they are worth considering, especially since many of these used units are actually refurbished. Alternatively, you can browse discount websites like Coupon Ninja and even find promo codes for prebuilt PCs.
Operating System
Once you’ve decided whether to buy new or used computers for your office, the next step is to determine which operating system to use with them. There are two leading contenders for your business: Mac and Windows PC. Windows machines are prevalent in general, with many software options available. In addition, Microsoft Office works perfectly well on Windows computers, so your employees will be able to compose documents easily.
However, Macs are also a solid choice. They’re more user-friendly and tend to have fewer technical difficulties. As such, they can be better suited as workstations for non-tech savvy individuals in your office.
Space Limitations
Next, you need to consider the space limitations of your office and the number of employees who will use the computers. For example, if space is tight, you’ll need to buy a smaller laptop or a small form factor PC that fits nicely on a desk. However, if your office has lots of floor space, it’s simply more economical to get standard desktop towers instead – these are usually much cheaper than the alternatives mentioned above.
You also need to think about the number of people who will use the computers and consider if this number is likely to grow or shrink in the future. If you know your company will expand and include more workstations in the future, getting more compact PCs can help you decrease the clutter and leave more usable space for your employees.
Peripherals
You should consider the type of peripheral devices your new PCs will need. For example, you can get USB peripherals such as a microphone or webcam to go with your PCs. However, if you need more advanced peripherals like a scanner or printer, it can be good to look for all-in-one models that include these devices in the same package. These tools are not only more convenient but also save additional space and are more energy-efficient (as you have only one device plugged in instead of three or four).
If DVD or blu-ray drives are still necessary for your office, consider purchasing them separately, as most computers nowadays no longer have any kind of disc drive. Finally, ask yourself what sort of keyboard your employees will need. Mechanical ones are significantly more comfortable to type on, but they also generate a lot of noise than the typical membrane keyboards.
Necessary Specs
Once you’ve considered the type of computers you need for your office, the next step is to base your specs around the work your employees will do. For example, if you’re planning to open a graphic design studio, your PCs will need to be powerful and lightning-fast to handle 3D modeling and animation. That means prioritizing your CPU, RAM amount, and graphic cards.
On the other hand, your typical accounting office won’t need such powerful equipment. It should be adequately powerful to handle programs like MS Office and your preferred browser, but you can save money by using a more energy-efficient processor and less RAM.
Conclusion
Buying computers for your office is a significant investment, so you should certainly do your research before finilizing the purchase. That way, you can be sure that you are buying the best devices for your needs and getting the most value for your money.
Remember to consider your business’s needs and primary operations, how many people will use these computers on a daily basis, as well as if there are any space limitations in your workspace. The other tips provided in the article above should be a good starting point and help you understand all about buying computers for your office. Good luck!
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