Do your employees work on the go, from the office, or a hybrid of both? As the way people work changes, so do their technology needs. But how do you know what type of small business computer to choose? That can be hard. Here’s a quick guide to help you find the right computers for your small business.
Types of Small Business Devices
Deciding what type of computer to choose for your workforce can be hard. Here are a few options to consider as you make the decision.
Laptops
Laptops are great for on-the-go work. Your small business may choose from standard laptops, thin-and-light devices, or 2-in-1 laptops with a convertible screen to use in tablet mode. Intel® Evo™ is another option, which gives you a device that is designed to prioritize on-the-go productivity.
AIOs and Desktop PCs
A desktop is perfect for employees who are working in stationary roles, without the need to move from place to place, such as serving customers in the office. Additionally, you can consider All-in-One (AIO) computers, such as those with powerful Intel® Core™ processors that streamline an entire desktop system into a single device.
Mini PCs
Mini PCs are great for small businesses that need a compact PC that fits into tight spaces—without compromising on performance or features. Next unit of computing (NUC) devices, for example, allow for a more customized PC experience. When choosing the best mini PCs for small business, look for business-class devices on the Intel vPro® Essentials platform for greater confidence over consumer devices and built-in hardware security that will protect your data and your ideas more than software alone.
Mobile and Stationary Workstations
Intel® processor-based workstations are the go-to devices for architects, engineers, analysts, and video editors. These professionals need high-performance desktops or laptops that can perform a multitude of activities, often all at once. Activities such as building or product design, 3D modeling, data analytics, or professional video and audio editing.
But when it comes to making the call, it should be based on a couple of key factors, such as the types of work employees do and if they complete work on the go or at the office.
Other Considerations for Your Small Business Computers
Whether you need to buy new devices because yours are losing battery power too quickly, or you need to get more productive with faster machines, here are some things to think about.
- Processor. A faster processor can easily run many applications at once and help you avoid frustrating work interruptions. That’s because when a processor gets overloaded, unexpected crashes can happen that bring productivity to a standstill.
- RAM. The amount of RAM that your computer needs depends on the complexity of the programs you’re running. Video editing? That needs a lot of RAM. Basic web browsing? Not so much. Look at your employees’ tasks to figure out whether you have high or low RAM requirements.
- Storage. When shopping for a new computer, make sure you choose one that has plenty of storage space to help avoid unexpected slowdowns, freezes, and crashes — all of which can be productivity killers.
- Graphics. Consider a computer that has integrated graphics, which means the GPU is built into the processor. Integrated graphics hardware doesn’t have a separate memory bank to process your graphics and video. Instead, it uses system memory shared with the CPU, which uses less power, creates less heat, and helps to improve overall performance.
Most experts say that a laptop’s life span is about three to five years.3 While it’s true that it might survive longer than that, there may be costs, such as slowdowns, freeze-ups, and lost employee productivity. Considering the information above when upgrading your small business computers can help to improve performance.
Small Business PC Security
You need reliable devices that support remote working and have enough power to help your employees multitask. But you also need stronger security that helps keep hackers away.
On average, 50% of important corporate data lives on unprotected laptops and desktops.1 This gives hackers lots of opportunities to enter your network and create chaos.
You can educate your employees and make sure they can spot a threat, but there is more you can do. The best security starts at the hardware level. The Intel vPro® platform gives you innovative hardware-based security that helps protect against leading security threats.
IT Features
As more employees work from anywhere, they need performance on the go, and you need tools that help support them, but do so remotely. For example, Intel® Standard Manageability (ISM) with Intel vPro® Essentials offers more remote management capabilities so you can support workers, regardless of their physical location. Here are a few features to put at the top of your shopping list:
Remote Management
Remote monitoring and management (RMM) can help you manage devices whether an employee is working on the go or in the office. You can more proactively monitor your endpoints, networks, and computers to reduce security risks. Remote IT access also means you can handle tasks like installing security patches and updates faster, reducing downtime that may interfere with your employees getting their work done.
PC Imaging Features
Once you purchase new computers, you must get them up to speed and into the hands of employees. Doing this requires image deployment, which allows you to customize the operating system, applications, drives, and more. But this process isn’t always fast or easy.
Driver updates and incompatibilities that require testing, testing, and more testing may create time-consuming processes. PC imaging helps you set up and configure multiple PCs fast. Look for PC imaging features that are out of the box, giving you access to the latest technologies to make the process easier.
Get Your Small Business PC Ready for the Future
Most small businesses know that to succeed, they must keep looking forward. What’s coming in the next six months, twelve months, and beyond? Being prepared for whatever comes next requires you to buy technology that leaves room to grow.
Take a look at your needs today, and then choose a business-class device that’s a little more powerful than what you need. Here are a few things to consider:
Performance
Employees who do complicated tasks, like video editing or graphics-heavy spreadsheets, need lots of RAM and a powerful processor. And even less-demanding workloads need to leave room for future growth. Look for computers that have high-performance capabilities, like a powerful CPU and more RAM, to support greater productivity.
Speed and Collaboration
When teams need to collaborate seamlessly, they need tools that support flexibility and speed, like Intel® Double Connect technology with ICPS Wi-Fi 6E. It simultaneously connects over two Wi-Fi bands and prioritizes critical traffic on the faster band for a better Wi-Fi experience. And with Intel Thunderbolt™ Technology, employees get a universal port that allows them to connect displays and devices while charging their laptop at the same time.
Intel and Choosing the Best Small Business PC
Business is constantly changing, and when you have the right technology and tools behind you, meeting those demands is easier. Intel vPro® Essentials helps you pivot, scale easier, and capture more opportunities.
And whether you choose desktops or laptops, Intel vPro® Essentials will give you the out-of-the-box security and collaboration features that you need to support your employees on the go and in the office.