Why Business Class PCs Better Suit Small Businesses
An important consideration when buying a small business computer is whether to buy a consumer or business class PC. Many small businesses purchase consumer class PCs and notebooks, not realizing the difference a business class model can make.
Business computers are designed to last, with better components and more rigorous testing. Investing in business class PCs can save you time and frustration with better performance, reliability, and support. But are they right for your organization?
What is a business class PC?
A business class PC is a computer designed for company use. It is typically more powerful and features more business-oriented features than a consumer-grade PC. Business class PCs usually have a higher-end processor, extra memory, and storage space. They also often include security, manageability, and remote access. Security is seamless and managed by your IT staff to meet specific requirements defined by your employees' roles.
What is a business class laptop?
A business class laptop is more efficient in battery life, speed, and power than a personal laptop. Business laptops are for long-term, all-day usage.
Business laptops are designed for durability, travel, and longer active periods, which is critical for supporting newer technologies, including video conferencing, as workplaces pivot to hybrid. Consumer laptops just aren't built to be used 40 hours a week for years of use.
Business laptops are often resistant to water and dust and incorporate military-grade durability to withstand occasional drops and knocks. This emphasis on durability means that business class laptops should last several years longer than consumer class models.
The price depends on the features and the model you choose. The price point is often higher with a business laptop's increased battery life, speed, power, extra storage, and bandwidth. The price is lower if your business needs laptops that connect to the internet but don't require ample storage space.
If you're buying a laptop or desktop for your company, invest in one designed for business users. The investment should pay off in:
- Better reliability
- Easier troubleshooting
- Better service and warranty
- Being highly expandable and customized to your needs.
Are business class PCs suitable for your small business?
Small businesses face many challenges that are often not present in larger corporations:
- Leaner setup
- Higher operational costs
- Fewer technology investments
- Fewer technical support/ IT staff
These factors make it harder for you to create a productive digital workspace for employees. Switching to business PCs helps you meet today's challenges and seize tomorrow's opportunities.
Many people believe that data loss will never happen in their workplace. University of Texas research shows that for companies who suffer catastrophic data loss: 43% never reopen, and 51% close within two years.
Small businesses experience around three technology disruptions a year. Each downtime costs a median of $12,500 per day, so reliability and stability are essential when considering a computer purchase.
Performance, stability, and manageability drive the decisions around small businesses purchasing their PCs. Yet percentage-wise, small businesses are buying fewer business PCs than large enterprises - 58% vs. 67%. Some of this is due to a lack of trusted information sources and supply issues for small business owners.
Why are business class PCs a wise investment?
Business class devices offer more flexibility and better support for small businesses with fewer IT staff. Here are five reasons why a quality Acer business-class machine is appropriate for your small business:
1) Performance
Business computers are often more powerful than their consumer counterparts, with better performance and battery life. Modern consumer class processors prioritize battery life over processing power, but business machines allow users to work faster and longer while on the go. The Acer TravelMate P6 offers all-day battery life of up to 20 hours. Manufacturers can customize according to your specific needs.
2) Durability
Acer tests specific models to MIL-STD-810H military-grade standards and Ingress Protection against water and dust. Tests include:
- Drop test
- Vibration test
- Extreme temperatures
- Humidity
- Low altitude testing
- Sand and dust
Acer Enduro Notebooks will withstand far more than normal work practices in the warehouse or on-site. Focusing on durability during manufacture means that a business-class laptop or desktop should last longer than a consumer model.
3) Reliability
You rely on your company data and client data to run your business. Data loss can be catastrophic for small firms, with 70% of small companies (fewer than 100 employees) that experience significant data loss going out of business within a year (DTI/Price Waterhouse Coopers). The reliability of your IT resources is critical to your success.
Business PCs offer higher quality components with name-brand parts and higher-grade materials, providing more value in the long run. Acer Veriton X desktops have a long lifespan and high reliability due to their 100% solid capacitor.
4) Software and Security
If your business computers come with the integrated Intel® Core™ vPro® technology, your IT staff can work remotely. This chip allows administrators to control and deploy patches and upgrades across the entire local network.
The Acer Veriton X provides security with Trusted Platform Management (TPM) 2.0 and a Kensington lock to provide physical protection of your data, both security features are also included in the 2, 4, and 6 series of Acer’s TravelMate laptops. In addition, you can better manage your office PCs and deploy comprehensive company-wide security policies with Acer Office Manager.
Business class computers allow small businesses to deploy multiple devices on one license allowing for more efficient use of network equipment and other resources. They also provide access to a broader range of software than traditional desktops, making it easier to customize your workspace without spending money on additional licenses or needlessly upgrading your software.
5) Service and Warranty
Business computer systems come with better warranty and support levels. The default warranty is usually more extensive than those on consumer models and can ensure your business is operational with minimal downtime. Acer Veriton series come with a three-year limited warranty with limited on-site service for three years for the Veriton 6 and during the first year for Veriton 4.
The cost savings associated with business class PCs make them a wise investment for any organization looking to improve productivity at a minimal cost. On average, small businesses keep their PCs for five to seven years. Shopping for business class PCs saves time and money, which is critical for small businesses with limited resources. It also means you can upgrade your technology without buying a whole new computer when hardware or software upgrades become available.
How are business class PCs different from regular PCs?
Business PCs are designed specifically for the demands of an enterprise. They generally come with an extensive list of features and technologies that allow them to operate at peak performance, including:
- Expandable configuration: multiple RAM slots and hard drive bays
- Multiple USB ports: for high-speed data transfer
- Extra security: hardware features such as fingerprint scanners, smart card readers, or encryption tools to security software solutions not featured in consumer model PCs
- Advanced cooling capabilities: for prolonged use in tough environments
Business PCs also provide many options for configuring memory, storage, and networking capabilities. You can customize machines to your requirements.
What are some of the particular features that come with business class PCs?
Business class PCs come with several features designed to help businesses increase productivity and efficiency. These features include virtualization and security options for IT departments, secure storage and backup options, remote access technologies, and data recovery.
Additional features such as energy-saving options, multiple processors and memory configurations, powerful graphics cards, and more are all available in business class computers. Another benefit is that business computers don't come loaded with bloatware that slows down consumer PCs.
What should you look for when buying a business PC?
Depending on your business, you could need a topline desktop or a lightweight laptop. In most cases, you'll need a combination of machines customized to your employees' needs and roles.
When shopping for a business PC that will work best for your small business, ask yourself and your team these questions to ensure the machines you buy are the right fit.
1) Desktop or laptop?
Desktops generally offer better value than laptops, delivering more power and performance per dollar spent. However, a desktop is fixed to one location, making it most appropriate for stationary roles.
Laptops are for on-the-go use. These lightweight devices are great for hybrid work from home, the office, on a plane, or at client locations. However, mobility costs: Laptops require a higher investment than desktops with comparable specifications.
Because of this, knowing how you'll use your devices before deciding to purchase is essential. It's also important to consider your company's goals when buying a business PC. For instance, if you intend for your staff to work on a hybrid plan, or they need IT when offsite, it would be more efficient and cheaper to purchase a laptop that can be used both in the workplace and remotely than having a desktop and a computer for each person.
2) Choosing the right processor
If you're concerned about keeping your system longer, consider buying a more powerful processor. A fast processor can mean the difference between a responsive and a slow computer. Faster CPUs are crucial for today's attention-challenged, multitasking office workers. It's worth investing in a faster CPU if your workers use data-hungry apps for video or photo editing.
Look for: 11th or 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i5, i7, or i9 Processors with Intel vPro® or AMD Ryzen™ 5000 & 6000 Series Processors
3) How much RAM?
RAM stores data while the PC works temporarily and will significantly impact its performance. A general rule of thumb is the more RAM, the better.
The amount of RAM you'll need depends on your software's complexity. Video editing apps use a lot of RAM, while basic web browsing, word processing, or spreadsheet apps do not. If you're multitasking, you'll need more. When buying a new computer, look for one with enough RAM to handle today's tasks and enough expansion slots to add more RAM in the future.
Look for: 8GB or 16GB of DDR4 RAM
4) How much storage?
Hard drives are your computer's permanent memory. Use a solid-state drive (SSD) as they have no moving parts, delivering faster and more reliable performance.
Look for: at least a 250GB SSD HD
In a hyper-competitive world, the right machine can ensure your small business's success. Weigh the benefits, and choose a business PC with the performance, support, and reliability to meet your business needs.
*The opinions reflected in this article are the sole opinions of the author and do not reflect any official positions or claims by Acer Inc.
About Robert Stark: Robert is a Taiwan-based writer and digital marketer at iamrobert design. He has a passion for helping people simplify their lives through tech.
Robert is a Taiwan-based writer and digital marketer at iamrobert design. He has a passion for helping people simplify their lives through tech.
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