E-Waste Or Refurbishment: Making The Most Out Of Hardware

As hardware ages and newer components release over time, a hard decision to make can be whether or not to refurbish your equipment or purchase new replacements. Due to the uncertainty of the costs involved, businesses may be misled into making the wrong decisions, especially in cases where hardware malfunctions or otherwise needs repair. 

Most offices and businesses rely on computers to perform operations and day-to-day tasks; software updates on organisational and business applications such as operating systems and 3D modelling software can and will put the continued viability of your business hardware into question.

For devices and hardware not covered by a vendor maintenance scheme, here are some tips for deciding between refurbishing or replacing systems.

 

Weigh the costs 

When it comes to sending a particular piece of hardware, such as a server, for refurbishment, do get a quotation and compare the refurbished specifications against industry requirements and the user load your server undergoes. While short-term upgrades such as increased RAM and software updates can help, these are only good for the near future and may cost more to continually do than simply buying a new server. 

By taking note of the hardware pricing at the time of purchase, you can also determine if upgrades and repairs are worth the effort. PC parts are continually becoming cheaper and more powerful, making replacement of hardware a viable option if the boost in performance is significant enough.

 

Check the warranty 

For most businesses that procure their equipment from IT outsourcing companies in Singapore, extended warranties at good pricing are often offered or included as a gesture of goodwill or common practice amongst vendors.

In the case of hardware failures and malfunctions, a quick check with the vendor on product warranty can make refurbishing and repairs a much more financially viable option than scrambling for last-minute replacements.

 

Evaluate hardware viability

Repairs performed on equipment still able to support current and future developments can pay off in the long run. This is due to the concept of “generations” when it comes to hardware such as processors and graphics cards. It is often a cheaper and much more sensible option to repair and refurbish if your hardware is well-equipped to handle the demands of the current and next few generations.

One example would be the move from 32-bit computing. At the time, many businesses and organisations opted to transition to 64-bit computing due to then-current builds of operating systems requiring 64-bit computing to run at an entry level, making refurbishment difficult due to a comparative lack in backwards compatibility and hardware requirements.

 

Conclusion

While continuous refurbishment and repairs might appear appealing, they usually provide only short-term solutions. However, their effectiveness can be significantly enhanced if careful consideration is given to hardware generations and system requirements, ensuring long-lasting results. For businesses and individuals alike, staying updated with tech trends everyone should look out for is crucial. 

JK Tech, one of the largest outsourced IT support services in Singapore, is a great place to consult on matters regarding refurbishment, replacement and disposal. Along with a comprehensive IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) plan for those looking to recycle or discard their hardware in a safe and responsible manner, JK Tech also offers modernisation and outsourcing services for those looking for a hardware revamp.