Companies looking to cope with declining IT budgets by postponing the purchase of new laptop computers are likely making a mistake, according to a new report released by technology consulting firm J. Gold Associates LLC.
Extending the use of laptops two years beyond the traditional three-year life span cost companies an average of $1,050 per machine--more than the replacement cost, the Northboro, Mass.-based firm found.
The added expenses include a significant increase in repair costs due to old age, and the end of three-year warranty periods, it said.
The use of outdated equipment also costs a company about $9,600 per laptop user in lost worker productivity over the two-year period, the study concluded.
Source: Computerworld