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In PCs We Trust
May 10, 2018
In the business world, reliability is critical, especially so when it comes to PCs.
When PCs falter in any workplace, even powerful corporations, the lost time and diminished productivity can irk customers, frustrate employees, and hamper the bottom line. And in the small business environment in particular, where an IT staff might be modest or completely nonexistent, stumbling technology only threatens to intensify those pressures.
You need performance you can trust, as reliability is essential, not optional. Fortunately, PC reliability is on the rise and that makes investing in quality, new PCs a savvy move for the present and the future.
5 reasons why PC reliability is rising
#1: The evolution of solid-state drives
Until solid-state drives (SSD) hit the masses approximately two years ago, PC buyers had to rely on the rotating hard drive, which was the industry standard--and also the top failure component in notebooks.
“If your notebook had a rotational hard drive and got bumped or dropped, then the whole drive could be lost,” HP product manager Scott Edwards says.
With the move to SSD, which has no delicate, rotating parts, you sidestep that prominent reliability issue. PCs with SSD are more likely to keep data safe and the PC functioning at a quicker, more reliable level.
#2: Extensive testing
Some of today's computers are among the most exhaustively-tested PCs to ever hit the market. Consider HP's signature Total Test Process, which includes 120,000 hours of testing on a model before launch. The testing includes harsh drops, vibration, extreme temperatures, and mechanical and functional tests that simulate rough handling.
All HP Elite and HP Pro PCs and HP Z Workstations undergo the HP Total Test Process, which boosts the reliability of these popular business products. Though HP's Elite notebooks and ZBook mobile workstations are among the thinnest and lightest notebooks on the market, many have passed components of the U.S. Department of Defense's MIL-STD-810G standards, including the all-important drop test.[1]
“Before the product ever hits the marketplace, there is all of this amazing engineering and testing to ensure quality and reliability,”
Edwards says.
#3: Enhanced security features
Lax security always puts reliability at risk, and PCs are increasingly becoming more secure.
Take HP Sure Start, the industry's first and only self-healing Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) security solution. HP Sure Start, which is present in all HP EliteBook, EliteDesk and EliteOne PCs, as well as the new HP Elite Slice, can automatically restore the system PC BIOS to its previously safe state in the event of an attack or a bad flash. As a result, you can better manage risk, minimize downtime, and reduce IT support requests.
“PCs with Sure Start are the most protected on the market, and automatically monitor and repair themselves,” Edwards says.
#4: The emergence of fanless systems
Increasingly, PCs are being completely sealed. This eliminates the need for fans—and the potential mechanical breakdown they often bring. Fanless systems also restrict air, dust, dirt, and other debris from entering the PC and threatening the health of the entire system.
“When you have moving parts, it's not a question of if something will fail, but when,” Edwards says. “With fanless systems, you eliminate that worry.”
#5: The latest Windows operating system
Released in July 2015, Windows 10 is the most connected, cloud-focused operating system Microsoft has ever released – and also its most secure, a reality that enhances the reliability of PCs running Windows 10, including the more than 100 current HP notebooks employing the operating system.
“Windows 10 represents a huge jump from Windows 7 in safety, security, and usability, all of which drives reliability in terms of uptime. Pairing these Windows features with HP innovation like Sure Start gives you the most reliable PC available,”
Edwards says.
Capture improved PC reliability
While any PC manufacturer can cite similar specs like a 500 GB drive or FHD display, reliability is never a given. By seeking out rigorously tested, well-engineered models with the latest reliability-driving elements, such as solid-state drives and enhanced security features, you will enjoy less downtime and a lower cost of ownership that promises to boost productivity and performance now and well into the future.
[1] MIL STD 810G testing is not intended to demonstrate fitness for U.S. Department of Defense contract requirements or for military use. Test results are not a guarantee of future performance under these test conditions. Damage under the MIL STD test conditions or any accidental damage requires an optional HP Accidental Damage Protection Care Pack. The full listing with test results may be found in this whitepaper on Testing the business ruggedness and reliability of HP Business PCs.
Windows is either a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
