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Free computer needs & selection analysis for new & replacement systems for business & home *
Software always, always dictates hardware. The cart goes after the horse. So, before you start your selection process, you should write down the minimum specs of the software you will be using. It's foolish to have less than 16GB of memory. The more applications you'll run simultaneously, the stronger (i.e. more memory, faster CPU) the system needs to be. A system purchase is typically a 5-year investment. Since Windows will continue to demand more resources as it is improved, AND since every user inevitably becomes more efficient, you need to get a system that will handle those improvements.
In a nutshell, a new system should have (1) a recent generation processor (released in past year; see below), (2) at least 32GB of memory, and (3) have 64bit Windows 11 Pro. All other features of the system are usually cosmetic or fall in line with these 3 features. If the system will never be moved you can save a lot of money and increase productivity by getting a desktop model versus a laptop with the same specifications. All business workstations should have two monitors. All laptops support at least one attached monitor.
The performance of a system significantly impacts your business, impacting not only individual productivity but also overall operations. Generally, better-performing systems come at a higher price. However, the additional investment is minimal compared to the increased productivity you can expect over the five or more years the system will be in use. For example, if a more efficient system saves you just 3 minutes per hour compared to a cheaper alternative—let’s say the better system costs an additional $200—you would gain 100 hours of productivity each year. At a labor rate of $20 per hour, that results in over $2,000 in annual savings. Consider how often you’ve waited for your computer to respond; that lost time directly affects your bottom line. Don’t underestimate the financial impact of choosing a higher-quality system.
Choosing a PC is a daunting task, and the manufacturers take advantage of the confusion. The difference in the cost of systems is primarily due to the CPU, which is the brain of the PC. The price of a system rises exponentially as the speed of the CPU increases because faster systems are much more productive.
Most people use a TV set buying philosophy ('Looks good. It's cheap. Has a warranty. I'll take that one') when choosing a new computer. However, your business plan doesn't include losing business or productivity because of inadequate tools. Here are some minimum specifications to use when choosing a business computer system:
The computer's CPU must be capable of running 64-bit Windows 11Pro. (Never buy a 32-bit Windows system.) Choose a system with the latest generation AMD or Intel CPU. Check where the CPU of the system you're considering ranks on the Tom's Hardware ranking. Note that there are computers with earlier generations of Intel and AMD processors on the market being sold as brand-new systems. Don't buy any pre-8th-generation Intel processor-based systems because they all have an inherent security flaw. AMD-based systems tend to cost less than Intel-based ones. See paragraph 3 above.
Get 32GB of memory because performance will improve and the system will do multiple tasks more efficiently. It's always cheaper to add memory now than later. Because of the additional processing overhead built into Windows and because of recently discovered inherent flaws in the pre-8th generation Intel processors, I no longer recommend systems with only 8GB or 16GB of memory. Systems work best with pairs of memory chips (i.e. two @ 8GB each or two @ 16GB each). Most systems have two memory slots.
64-bit Windows Pro operating system. Get the Windows Pro version, never the Home version. Unless you're really cheap and like to waste your time and money, never, ever get the 32bit version of Windows. Not all Windows 10 systems will update to Windows 11. There are work-arounds to force a Win10 system to Win11 but you may not get future Win11 updates at some point and the system certainly won't be as secure as a full Win11 install with TPM (Trusted Platform Module) 2.0 turned on in the system's BIOS. Windows 10 will not be getting any more security updates unless you pay Microsoft for a support extension through October 2026. Even if you extend Windows 10 support, you won't be as secure as a Windows 11 system.
Video adapters in computers are well matched to the systems these days. If you will be running video intensive applications (i.e. CAD, design, etc.), get a high-end video card and lots (64GB) of memory.
Most business workstations need less than 30GB of disk storage. There is no reason to get a mechanical drive in a computer. Most new systems come with SSD NVMe storage or SSD SATA storage. SSD drives are much faster, run quieter & cooler than mechanical drives, and last longer.
If you choose one of the CPUs in the first bullet item, the respective features (drives, memory, etc.) of the rest of a name brand system are usually more than adequate because manufacturer's components are selected relative to the CPU's capability.
I don't recommend 'all-in-one' systems. All-in-one systems (including laptops) typically get replaced before desktop systems. With all-in-one systems, you're stuck with that monitor.
Consider a 32" curved monitor or two 24 to 27" flat screen monitors. More screen area increases productivity. See paragraph 3 above.
I recommend an Intel NUC or Beelink for a desktop system; Dell, Toshiba, or Acer for a laptop. These brands have shown to be equally reliable when used with a quality surge suppressor or battery backup.
If you don't use quality power protection gear (a minimum 350VA battery backup with surge suppression), you're just shooting yourself in the foot. Many systems would not have had some of the problems they have had if a good battery backup would have been used. Choose APC, CyberPower, or Tripp Lite brand power protection & avoid all Belkin products; remember you are insuring a loved one.
Be careful comparing systems, as there are several device capacity differences. Re-read paragraph 1 and 2 above.
With regard to printers, I only recommend laser printers because you'll spend hundreds less over the life of the printer compared to an inkjet printer. It's cheaper to email your color printing to the local office supply for pickup than to own a color printer. Avoid using the wireless feature of a printer, if you can.
Of course any system needs regular tuning and current security software. See the Security section of this website.
And, users need to be trained on how to stay safe and how to take advantage of newer software features of systems utilities and security software. That's where Wescot Company comes in. New systems are set up to:
Assure your system and application software is correctly configured
Assure you have adequate security software
Train users on new features
Configure printers and scanners
Migrate data from old systems
Assure all pertinent data is being backed up (see iDrive in Vendors page of this website).
Contact: Sam Walker, 678-421-4422, Support@gWescot.com
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