Replacing a PC, what does it really cost?

When was the last time your organisation took a complete look at the real, hidden and inconsequential costs of replacing a PC? What do we typically consider the purchase price only? The time it takes to un-box, build and hand it over to the end user? Are there any other costs, really?

What's in a PC?
Material
Proportion
Plastic
23%
Ferrous metals
32%
Non-ferrous metals
18%
Electronic boards
12%
Glass
15%

A single computer can contain up to 2kg of
lead, and the complex mixture of materials
make PCs very difficult to recycle
What about the green costs, such as the production of packaging – cardboard, polystyrene, plastics; and then there’s the disposal of the very same materials, probably only ever in your possession for a day, or a week? What about the other parts?

Do you ever consider the manufacturing costs on the environment, and how about distribution, from the component to the warehouse to the shipping and on to the chugging diesel van just pulled up outside with your new delivery – have you just made your very own contribution to global warming?

Should we take a leaf out of the post war veterans – make do or mend? Well the Government seem to think so; they’ve gone as far as replacing the three R’s…

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

So the next time you face a hardware refresh consider the alternatives, or at the very least donate to a charity, they’ll be glad to expand the usable lifecycle beyond the standard three years!