Every workday you open your laptop or start your desktop, and you wait. For some, that wait is a mere blip in the day, a few seconds, for others that wait can seem interminable.
A few months ago, our engineering team set out with the task of exploring what variables really impact a slow device performance. During the course of their research, the team uncovered answers to very specific questions like:
What is the average startup time for a work device? (Hint: it’s less than five minutes).
Does processor speed or the number of CPU cores impact startup time? (It depends).
Does a device with an SSD (solid-state drive) perform faster than one with an HDD (hard disk drive)?
Ultimately, their research revealed 3 key influencers that heavily contribute to a slow startup time—a discovery that stands on its own merit.
But what I find most interesting is that the report calls into question the assumption that new hardware always means faster (& better) performance. It’s not that they’re discrediting the performance benefits of new laptops and desktops, their findings simply show that many of the older devices in the study (611,676 to be precise), recorded a start time well under the average (2nd hint: the average is between 4 & 5 minutes).
The implication being that many IT Leaders assume they have to spend millions to upgrade their existing hardware and thus, improve their Digital Employee Experience. And likewise, those budgetary decisions can often come at the expense of a Green IT strategy—we reported earlier that e-Waste is predicted to 2.5 million metric tons by 2030.
But the thing is: it’s not a zero-sum game!
As the Nexthink Insights Report so succinctly proves, many times a simple configuration change, or memory upgrade might be the smartest answer. The point is IT can often times reclaim perfectly functioning laptops, improve their DEX, and protect the environment—all at the same time.
