As the end of life for Windows 10 approaches, many organisations are wrestling with decisions about refreshing their PC fleets. Some are buying new AI PCs now, while others are contemplating buying previous generation technology for a quick fix that’s ‘good enough’.
In October, Microsoft will no longer provide free software updates, technical assistance or security fixes for Windows 10. There are 1,5-billion PCs out there today — in offices, schools and homes worldwide. About 30% of those are four years old or greater, and many of those have hardware too old to update to Windows 11.
Outdated devices become a security risk, a support liability and a productivity roadblock. Although Microsoft will offer an extended security update programme, this option is expensive, limited and short-term.
Morne Kroukamp, field product marketing manager of Dell Technologies South Africa, says customers frequently ask whether they should buy new AI PCs now or wait for AI technology to evolve.
“My answer is always the same – buy now. This isn’t just an operating system (OS) transition and ‘good enough’ won’t cut it. For IT and business leaders, the decision to modernise to the latest AI PC technology will determine whether your organisation thrives in a new era of work or clings to systems built for a world that no longer exists,” Kroukamp says. “If you’re planning to run a business-critical environment on an unsupported OS and aging hardware, you’re not optimising — you’re gambling.”
Organisations which upgrade to the latest PCs are unlocking leaps in performance, productivity, security and innovation that older technology simply can’t deliver. The reasons for investing in new AI PCs now include:
- Unmatched battery life and performance – Today’s AI PCs take performance to a new level. Neural Processing Units (NPUs) — specialised chips designed to take on AI tasks — share resources across silicon, enabling CPUs and GPUs to focus on what they do best. The result? Better performance and up to 67% longer battery life than the previous generation.¹ Imagine teams working with optimal PC performance and without interruptions or charging anxiety. That’s the power of modern hardware, software and silicon crafted for today’s demands.
- Redefining productivity – The latest PCs empower employees to tackle workloads with ease, opening the door to a new level of productivity. Microsoft created a suite of Copilot+ experiences and companies like Adobe and CrowdStrike are designing and updating more and more applications with AI features to use NPUs. In fact, IDC predicts that by 2027, two-thirds of the top 100 enterprise applications running on PCs will have GenAI features that leverage the CPU, GPU or NPU to run workloads locally on the PC.² That, combined with the fact that some AI PCs have the capability to run small language models directly on the device, unlocks new potential for power users. Bottom line: teams can drive more meaningful, impactful output with today’s AI PCs.
- Fortified security at the core – The days of solely relying on external network protections are gone. Modern PCs leverage on-device intelligence to detect and respond to threats in real time. And AI PCs process AI tasks locally, meaning better security and privacy of your data on the device. This is especially important in a world where threat actors are using AI to advance their tactics. Faster, smarter and more manageable, these devices help protect your most critical assets.
- Future-proof your business – This isn’t just about staying current. It’s about staying ahead. AI models are getting smaller, planning AI workloads specifically for the PC are on the rise and Agentic AI is on the horizon. In a three-year device lifecycle, you’ll see all this and more embraced by a very AI-capable workforce. By refreshing to AI PCs now, organisations position themselves to fully harness the current and next wave of AI as the technology landscape evolves. Things change quickly, and you want to be on your front foot with the latest PC technology to remain agile and maintain your competitive advantage.
“Upgrading to AI PCs now isn’t just about meeting Windows 11 requirements. It’s about signalling that your organisation is ready for what comes next,” Kroukamp says. “We’re entering a new era of work — one where the tools that we use will increasingly shape our ability to innovate, compete and lead. AI-enabled PCs are the foundation for smarter, more secure, efficient and productive work. And they’ll give you the ability to use your data, at your edge, your way.”
As organisations begin to unlock these capabilities, the performance gap between early adopters and those who wait is only widening. And those who purchase previous-generation PCs for a quick fix risk falling behind in a world that demands agility and resilience.
“This isn’t your typical PC refresh cycle; it’s the chance to reimagine what’s possible for your organisation. It’s about modernising. It’s about enabling your organisation to take on what’s next in the AI era. Are you going to tighten your grip on legacy technology or embrace the future?” Kroukamp says.