Why Now May Be the Best Time to Invest in AI PCs
Article
6 min

Why Now May Be the Best Time to Invest in AI PCs

Discover why now may be the right time to invest in AI PCs to improve productivity, reduce costs and strengthen security across your organization.

Two people review a portable computer together in an electronics showroom during a technology consultation.

For many organizations, the question is no longer whether to refresh their computers but when. Historically, AI capabilities were available only by first going through the cloud. Technology has since evolved, and new PCs are integrated with AI and can run some AI workloads locally without relying on the cloud.

Many of today’s organizations are comfortably leveraging AI computers to improve business outcomes such as increasing their productivity, saving money and going to market faster while keeping important information secure.

One of the biggest reasons organizations are opting for PCs with integrated AI is that it’s a more cost-efficient way to reap the benefits of AI.

Traditional cloud-run AI runs on a token currency, which means that for every AI query that’s run or an AI agent that’s built, an organization pays a certain amount of money for that transaction. Multiply that across hundreds or thousands of users, and AI costs can add up quickly, sometimes reaching the millions.

Is Now the Best Time for Your Technology Refresh Cycle?

Unsure if your business would benefit from a PC upgrade? If any of the following circumstances apply to you, it may be time to consider making the shift.

  • Expanding infrastructure requirements
  • Aging device fleets across the organization
  • Challenging legacy devices, including Windows 10 devices and devices purchased during COVID for remote coworkers
  • Decreasing business productivity

Another critical factor to consider is the increase in memory costs and the shifting prices for end-user devices. The longer you wait to upgrade to AI PCs, the more expensive your investment may be.

AI PC ROI

While upfront expenses for implementing AI computers may be higher, your organization can achieve ROI quickly upon implementation. Investing in these devices can actually be a more budget-friendly option in the long run since local AI workloads don’t run on a token-based economy

Cost Benefits and Other Advantages of AI PCs

AI PCs offer advantages that may not be immediately apparent but are worth knowing if your organization is considering AI-ready computers.

Compatibility with existing AI ecosystem, AI-driven software and AI agents. If your organization has its AI infrastructure already built out, but your endpoint devices are outdated, your end users may not be able to unlock those AI benefits. Not only is this a missed opportunity to enhance productivity, but it could also end up being a financial strain.

Security upsides. Organizations can benefit from stronger security with AI PCs since local data does not have to be sent through the cloud first. AI computers can also help remediate compliance costs and can avoid regulatory fines if critical data is ever exposed.

Deploying AI computers at scale. When your organization decides to upgrade its legacy devices with AI PCs, there are potential cost savings when it occurs at scale. The more end users that have access to new tools, the higher the likelihood of increased productivity and efficiency throughout your entire organization.

The Potential Cost of Waiting to Refresh

As prices for AI storage continue to increase across the market, delaying your PC upgrade can end up being a more costly investment than your business initially planned for. If you choose to wait, your organization can also see limited product availability, which could create roadblocks to larger goals and initiatives and times to market.

How CDW Can Help

Working with a trusted partner like CDW can help your organization meet its goals faster with a team of experts who are committed to your long-term success. We take the guesswork out of what the best approach to your AI PC refresh is and can help you create a roadmap with the right strategy for your unique needs.

Services we provide include:

  • Device lifecycle planning
  • Refresh assessments
  • Windows 11 readiness
  • AI PC evaluation
  • Procurement guidance
  • Deployment services
  • Asset disposition

CDW can help you create an AI PC roadmap with the right strategy for your unique needs.

Brian Werth

Senior Category Manager

Brian Werth is a senior category manager within CDW’s Product and Partner Management Organization. Owning over 15 years of experience within the IT industry, Werth has held roles leading key categories and partnerships across our solutions and end point device businesses.