Let’s talk about the cost of using worn-out equipment

I know, you’re probably asking yourself: “Why change something that still works?” Below, I’ll explain the costs of using worn-out equipment.

When it comes to costs, we can split them into two categories: the money we spend and the money we lose instead of earning it.

The costs of using a worn-out server

Time and dust generally don’t work in electronics’ favor. If the server breaks down, you’ll have to bear two costs: the cost of the repair itself and the cost of the company being unable to operate and, as a result, losing money.

If you use an EOL (end-of-life) server, replacing faulty components can be difficult, because parts that are out of production are hard to find.

Can you imagine the chaos if the server’s disks fail and data recovery drags on? Can you imagine what a single day of downtime costs? What about several days?

What does an old computer cost in 2026?

On top of repairs and lost time, an old computer now also costs you security: since October 14, 2025, Windows 10 no longer receives free updates.

Compatible computers upgrade to Windows 11 for free (see the free upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11). For those that don’t meet the requirements, for example computers without TPM 2.0 or with a processor older than the ones on Microsoft’s list, companies have two options: Extended Security Updates (ESU), paid per computer, until October 2028 at the latest and more expensive every year, or replacement.

There are hidden costs too: a slow computer means minutes lost every day by every employee, and an old hard drive can fail at any moment. In general, it’s worth replacing equipment that no longer receives updates, is no longer under warranty or costs more to repair than it’s worth. Until then, see 5 ways to extend your laptop’s lifespan, and recycle the equipment you replace responsibly, after the data on it has been permanently erased.

Does the cloud solve the problem of worn-out equipment?

Wouldn’t you like to use a server that never breaks down? Never, ever!

That’s right, I’m talking about implementing cloud solutions. The cloud provider takes care of the hardware, and a faulty component is replaced without you even noticing. That doesn’t mean a cloud service can never go down: in March 2021, a fire in an OVH data center took millions of websites offline. That’s why, even if you use cloud solutions, you need a solid backup policy that lets you restore your data quickly.

You might have the bad luck of having your data encrypted by ransomware or, even more simply, of a user accidentally deleting a file that’s vital to the business. If you have a backup, the files can be restored very quickly.

Modern solutions that help you bulletproof your infrastructure

• a high-performance router, able to handle enough VPN connections, to secure the network and filter traffic;
• a solid backup policy, with an off-site copy, for example through Backup as a Service;
• an application or file server deployed in the cloud;
• Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365), for collaborative work.

These solutions don’t just help you sleep soundly while the business runs without interruption; they also let users work better and more efficiently.

Remote work and hybrid work are no longer a whim, but something ordinary. It’s normal for employees to work from the living room or from the coffee shop around the corner. For that, company data must be accessible securely, from anywhere and at any time.

Do you know how easy it is to collaborate on files using Microsoft’s cloud solutions? Or how simple it is to organize conferences in Microsoft Teams?

RezolvIT is an IT outsourcing company used to implementing new technologies to support its clients and their business. We understand both the needs of users and those of the company very well, and we propose tailored solutions that suit each client’s business and infrastructure. A free IT audit shows you which equipment needs replacing and when.