Regardless of whether you’re a lean startup or a massive enterprise corporation, you can’t get very far without computers (I know, pretty obvious by this point). And while we all know how critical computers are for modern operational efficiency and productivity, I still get a ton of questions from our various clients and partners about whether they should outfit their company with true-blue business computers, or just buy personal computers in bulk. So to help answer that question, I put together a pros/cons list for business computers vs. personal computers.

Disclaimer: There is no “one size fits all” solution to this question. There are companies that benefit from “either/or” or “both/and” approaches to this. For instance, many of our more creative-industry clients find Macs to be a superior working solution (even though Apple doesn’t really market to enterprise clientele nearly as explicitly). 

It might be that your marketing team works on Mac whereas the rest of your org relies on a Windows-based business computer solution. While we are certainly trying to give you a handy guide, it’s important to note that each company is different, and some combination of solutions might be called for. 

Pros of buying business computers

1. Purpose-built for business use: Business computers are designed specifically for use in the workplace. That means they’re built to withstand the demands of an office environment (aka they’re often more durable and reliable than personal computers). The idea being they’re less likely to break down or experience performance issues, which helps ensure smooth operations for your business.
2. Enhanced security features: We preach security a lot around here; it’s one of the biggest operational risk factors companies face. As such, it has to be purposefully addressed and accounted for when building out your tech stack. This is especially true when it comes to sensitive information like client data and financial records. Business computers come equipped with enhanced security features like firewalls, encrypted hard drives, and anti-virus software that are specifically designed to protect against cyber threats.
3. Scalability and upgradability: Business computers are built with scalability and upgradability baked in, making it easier for businesses to expand and evolve as their needs change. This can be a major advantage over personal computers, which may have limited upgradability options and are often not designed to accommodate business-specific software.
4. Professional support and warranty: When it comes to purchasing business computers, you can expect a higher level of professional support and warranty protections when compared to personal computers. At the enterprise level, down time equals profit loss, plain and simple. You want to minimize both technical issues as well as how long a technical issue impacts your work stations. With professional-grade support and warranty protections, you’re much better positioned to limit downtime across the org.

Cons of buying business computers

1. Higher cost: One of the major drawbacks of buying business computers is the higher cost compared to personal computers. This can be a significant expense for smaller businesses, and may not be feasible for those operating on a tight budget.
2. Reduced flexibility: Business computers are often built with specific software and hardware configurations, making them potentially less flexible than personal computers. This can limit the ability to customize the computer to meet the unique needs of your business, and may limit the use of certain software or applications.
3. Less user-friendly: Business computers can be less user-friendly compared to personal computers, making it more difficult for employees to work with them. This isn’t insurmountable by any means, but there’s often a learning curve associated with molding employee behavior and tendencies to fit the computer or enterprise software instead of the other way around. At worst, this can lead to frustration, lower productivity, and a negative impact on morale.

Like we said in the disclaimer above, it’s pretty common that a “one size fits all” approach isn’t the best strategy for a given company. That’s why we work closely with your stakeholders to design a technology stack that empowers your employees and unleashes their productivity, while also balancing things like cybersecurity risk and professional-grade warranty and technical support.

If you want to learn more about what solution might make sense for your company, drop us a line — we’d love to hear from you!