It used to be that every three years, workers would get brand new computers from their businesses' tech departments. But for many those days are over.Many workers haven't been issued a new computer in years.
The reason: Delaying computer upgrades is one of the easiest ways for a tech department to cut its budget. How about you working with a four-year-old ThinkPad with its maddeningly slow response times and out-of-date software ...
Now that the economy has taken a pronounced turn for the worse, more businesses are deciding to delay their regularly scheduled PC buying. In fact, 46% of businesses have either already or plan to postpone purchasing new computers, according to a survey of information-technology execs by CIO Magazine.
That's part of the reason that U.S. PC shipments will drop 1% in the fourth quarter compared to the year-ago quarter, according to research company IDC.
Now all of this bad corporate new has a shiny silver lining for us out here in consumer land -- PC makers are slashing prices, 20% to 30% in some cases, in an effort to boost demand.
Readers, how old is your work PC? Are outdated programs and hardware slowing you down?
Thanks to the Wall Street Journal (again).
