Many people probably think, "I want the cheapest option possible" when choosing PCs for their company. However, PCs that are too cheap can disrupt business operations, ultimately leading to decreased company productivity and additional costs.

This article explains why business-grade PCs are expensive. It also introduces recommended models optimized for business use and methods to procure them at a lower cost, so please read to the end.

【Conclusion】

Business-grade PCs tend to be more expensive because they require features that support reliability and stability in business operations, such as "high-durability design," "robust security," and "extensive support systems." It is important to accurately assess the specifications your company needs and choose the optimal business PC.

What is a Business-Grade PC?

Here's a summary of the differences between business-grade and consumer-grade PCs.

As such, business-grade PCs are characterized by their design, which can withstand long hours of business use, and their robust support and security features.

Why are Business-Grade PCs Expensive?

Why are business-grade PCs said to be expensive? We will explain by comparing them with the issues of inexpensive PCs.

Business-grade PCs are not "expensive" but are priced appropriately for the "reliability, durability, and support system necessary for business." Considering long-term operating costs, business efficiency, and risk management, beyond just the initial price, purchasing a business PC can be considered a necessary expense.

Recommended Specifications and Features for Business PCs - Explained by Task

When choosing a PC for your company, it's crucial to determine the specifications and features based on "what kind of work it will be used for." Making the optimal choice tailored to actual business needs can help avoid unnecessary expenses.

For Basic Tasks (Office, Email)

For PCs used in general office tasks, there's no need to choose an excessively high-performance model. Sufficient performance to handle basic tasks like document creation, email, spreadsheets, and web browsing without stress is enough.

However, choosing a PC that is too low-performance will slow down daily tasks and significantly reduce productivity. Aim for an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 class CPU with 8GB or more of RAM. An SSD is recommended for storage, as it will make booting and read/write operations several times faster, greatly improving daily work efficiency.

Furthermore, for long hours of desk work, choosing an anti-glare (matte) screen can make working more comfortable by reducing eye strain.

For High-Load Tasks such as Design, Engineering, and Video Editing

For creative or specialized technical tasks, PC performance directly impacts "work speed" and "quality of results."

For example, tasks such as graphic design, CAD engineering, and video editing require high processing power and large amounts of memory. If a PC with insufficient performance is used, the work will slow down, and completing the same task might take several times longer. This, in turn, will negatively affect labor costs and deadlines.

For such work, it is advisable to have a high-performance CPU like an Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 or higher, and at least 32GB of RAM.

For Telework and On-the-Go Use

For remote work or sales, a computer that combines portability and security is essential. In addition to being lightweight, it should be robust enough to withstand impacts during travel and have a battery life of 10 hours or more to last a full day out.

A weight of 1.5kg or less is generally considered suitable for portability. Furthermore, security risks are higher when working remotely, so secure login methods like fingerprint or facial recognition, privacy filters, and encrypted communication or VPN connections are crucial. These features allow you to work safely anywhere.

Recommended Business-Grade PC Models

We have carefully selected five recommended business-grade PC models.

MacBook Air (Apple)

Reference Price: ¥164,800 (MacBook Air M4 13-inch, Memory: 16GB, SSD: 256GB)

While MacBook series have a higher initial cost, their long-term stability and high productivity are highly rated. Especially models equipped with M1/M2/M3/M4 chips offer excellent battery life and performance, making them suitable for jobs requiring frequent travel.

The MacBook Air, ideal for portability, is lightweight yet capable of comfortably handling basic office tasks to light design work. The initial cost starts around 150,000 yen, which is on the higher side, but considering over 5 years of use, it's an investment of about 30,000 yen per year. OS updates are provided for a long time, offering peace of mind regarding security.

Compared to inexpensive Windows laptops, it may seem 2-3 times more expensive, but considering its operational stability and longevity, it offers excellent cost performance.

ThinkPad (Lenovo)

Reference Price: ¥268,906 (ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition 14-inch, Memory: 32GB, SSD: 1TB)

The ThinkPad series is a popular model known for its robustness and user-friendly keyboard. The X, T, and P series each have distinct features, allowing for selection based on specific needs.

ThinkPad's strength lies in its extensive track record and reliability in business settings. Models customized for the Japanese market also consider the comfort of Japanese input. It offers the necessary robustness and functionality for work while keeping costs down, making it an ideal choice for standard PC selection for small and medium-sized businesses.

ProBook (HP)

Reference Price: ¥126,500 (ProBook 465 G11 Notebook PC Ryzen 5 16-inch, Memory: 32GB, SSD: 256GB)

HP's ProBook series are PCs developed for business use, featuring sufficient functionality and solid construction. With ample ports, they are suitable for various scenarios.

Prices range widely from about 80,000 to 150,000 yen, allowing for choices tailored to specific job requirements. Additionally, they are equipped with proprietary security features like HP Sure Click, which reduces the risk of virus infection from email and web browsing.

Latitude (Dell)

Reference Price: ¥247,942 (Latitude 7350 Laptop 13-inch, Memory: 16GB, SSD: 512GB)

Dell's Latitude series are high-performance business laptops designed for large enterprises. Specifically, the 7000 series are thin, light, and high-performing, while the 5000 series offers excellent cost performance.

A major feature is the proactive support, such as remote diagnostics and predictive failure functions with ProSupport, which prevents failures before they occur. Furthermore, by utilizing Configuration Services, it's possible to reduce the effort required for initial setup, such as OS customization and software installation.

Let's note (Panasonic)

Reference Price: ¥216,620 (Let's note SR4 CF-SR4GDTCR 12.4-inch, Memory: 16GB, SSD: 512GB)

Panasonic's "Let's note" series, despite being in a higher price range, is popular as a product optimized for the Japanese business environment. While the SV series starts around 200,000 yen and is expensive, its key features are overwhelming durability, reliability, and ease of use in a Japanese environment.

For sales personnel who travel frequently or those who use PCs in harsh environments, the durability of Let's note is a significant advantage. Its design, resistant to drops and vibrations, greatly reduces the risk of business disruption due to PC failure. Considering its durability for over 5 years of use, it can be said to be an economical choice in the long run.

Important Checkpoints and Considerations for Implementation

Here are some key points to consider when implementing business-grade PCs.

When introducing business-grade PCs, it's crucial to make decisions from multiple perspectives, not just price, including "future scalability," "support systems," and "business efficiency." Making smart choices can significantly enhance business reliability and productivity while keeping costs down.

Purchase vs. Rental | Which Option to Choose for Business PC Implementation to Avoid Regret?

Some companies offer rental services for business-grade PCs. Here, we'll discuss whether purchasing or renting is the optimal choice for implementing business-grade PCs.

What is a Business PC Rental Service?

A business PC rental service allows you to lease computers for a necessary period to use in your operations.

You can introduce them with low initial costs, and new or refurbished PCs are provided depending on the contract period. Monthly fees often include support and maintenance, which helps reduce the management burden.

Benefits of Rental and Characteristics of Suitable Companies

The biggest advantage of PC rental is that it allows you to use the latest equipment while keeping initial investment low. Rental is especially recommended in the following cases:

1. Short-term projects or temporary assignments
2. Start-up companies prioritizing cash flow
3. Industries that regularly need to update to the latest equipment
4. Companies with limited IT management staff

With rental, costs can be recorded as monthly expenses, distributing the accounting burden. Moreover, services often include handling failures, maintenance, and proper disposal after use, making rental potentially more cost-effective than purchasing when considering overall costs.

PRODIG Rental also offers business-grade PC rental. If your company is interested in rental, please feel free to contact us!

Summary | When Choosing a Business PC, Understand "Why It's Expensive" and Select the Optimal Implementation Method

Choosing a PC for work is not just an act of "buying something" but a crucial "investment" that influences the company's productivity and competitiveness. Understand that choosing a cheap PC does not necessarily mean cost reduction; rather, it can increase hidden costs and risks.

Investing in appropriate PCs brings positive effects in many aspects, such as improving employee work efficiency, reducing stress, and lowering security risks. By making judgments from this comprehensive perspective, you can achieve truly economical PC implementation.

Furthermore, rental is also recommended for short-term projects, increasing staff during busy periods, or for companies with limited budgets immediately after starting up.
PRODIG Rental offers rentals at the lowest prices in the industry! If you're interested, check it out here.

▼We purchase unwanted devices such as those from company equipment upgrades at high prices!