Laptop lifetimes can be doubled without affecting users, report

75% of employees are prepared to keep their device for longer if they understand the environmental benefits, says Atos

A new report has revealed that laptops can be used for twice as long as is typical in businesses without compromising user experience, offering a significant opportunity to reduce emissions and increase sustainability in the workplace.

The report by consulting firm Atos analysed data from 28.5 million devices used by medium-to-large organisations and found that device performance only starts to decline from year four, meaning users can keep each device for at least four years without any negative impact.

This contrasts with earlier research from 2009, often taken as an unofficial benchmark, which found that one-third of laptops failed after three years.

"These findings have busted some myths and revealed that devices may well be over spec’d," said Tiago Antao director of solution consulting at Nexthink, a contributor to the research. "By taking a truly data-driven approach we have identified the factors that impact good or bad performance.”

Antao continued: "Current device stock is only around three to four years old, so there is vast potential now to keep the current models for longer, even with the arrival of Windows 11. It’s easier to add RAM to an existing device than it is to replace a CPU, so that’s great for IT budget holders as well as the environment."

According to the report, 88% of laptops send for decommissioning are still functional. Moreover only 12.5% of e-waste is recycled. With the vast majority of the carbon footprint of a device being in its manufacture, extending its lifecycle represents both a considerable cost saving and a way to significantly reduce scope 3 emissions.

"Every time they choose a refurbished or remanufactured device, enterprises will avoid around 316kg CO2eq of carbon, as well as saving around 70% of the cost of buying new," said Conrad Mohr, director of remanufacturing at Circular Computing.

"These are big numbers that are entirely achievable and give organisations a quick win."

The report also found that 75% of employees are prepared to keep their device for longer if they understand the environmental benefits of doing so, highlighting the importance of communication.

"Positive employee engagement is crucial," said Leon Gilbert, head of Digital Workplace at Atos. "This can be a differentiator especially for businesses seeking to attract and retain younger generations of employees, who we know are looking for urgent action on sustainability."

The report concludes that by adopting a data-driven approach and moving to condition-based device maintenance across an 8-to-10-year lifespan, organisations can dramatically increase the sustainability of their IT estates.