Leasing a Laptop vs. Buying a Laptop
Mobile office professionals need to keep up with technology. Using outdated software and relying on workarounds costs companies time and money, defeating the purpose of mobilizing the workforce. Leasing can be a cost-efficient way of ensuring that everyone has the latest technology without buying brand new equipment. Still, leasing agreements often come with limitations that you need to be aware of.
Pros and Cons of Leasing a Laptop
Leasing provides you with a laptop with the most current software, and many arrangements allow you to trade in your laptop for a more up-to-date model after a specified period. Leasing agreements come with technical support, so you never have to worry about your laptop warranties expiring. Being locked into a leasing contract does come with some downsides. Dealing with the extra paperwork requires time, so you have to take that cost into account. You’re also stuck with the leasing company for technical support, so if something goes wrong while traveling with a laptop, you may have limited options for getting repairs or replacement in a timely fashion.
Pros and Cons of Buying a Laptop
Networking and software programs are constantly changing and upgrading, so whenever you purchase a new laptop, it’s usually obsolete within a few months. Laptops are difficult and expensive to upgrade, and older laptops that your company no longer needs are difficult to sell. That said, once you purchase a computer, you have the freedom to upgrade, maintain, and repair the device as you please. You also don’t have to deal with a leasing company, which frees up time to do other things.
Final Verdict
Whether it’s more economical to buy or lease a laptop depends on many factors. Still, there are definite advantages to leasing if you want your workers to always have the latest technology.