The right time to buy a new PC is when your current one is costing you time, causing reliability issues, or can’t stay secure/up to date—not just when it “feels old.” In 2026, the biggest hard line is that Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025, so if a machine can’t run Windows 11, that alone is now a very strong reason to replace it (or retire it from internet-facing use). The short answer Buy a new PC when one (or more) of these is true: - It can’t upgrade to Windows 11 - It’s slow enough to waste your time daily - It has frequent crashes / blue screens / weird errors - The battery is bad (for laptops) and replacement isn’t worth it - It runs hot / loud constantly - Repairs are getting close to the machine’s value - Your work needs changed (more tabs, more apps, remote support tools, bigger files, AI, video, etc.) Microsoft’s own “time for a new PC” guidance specifically calls out signs like: - Can’t get the latest updates - Noisy fan - Battery doesn’t last - Frequent PC errors / blue or black screens Biggest 2026 reason: Windows 10 is done If you’re still on Windows 10: - Windows 10 support ended October 14, 2025 - Microsoft says to move to Windows 11 for ongoing security and features - Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10 keep getting security updates only through October 10, 2028, but Microsoft still strongly recommends upgrading the PC/OS to avoid reliability/performance issues over time Practical rule: If your PC cannot officially run Windows 11 That’s one of the clearest signs it’s time for a replacement. For the kind of client-facing / remote-support work you do, I’d treat that as a business risk, not just a convenience issue. Best real-world signs it’s time to replace your PC 1) It’s costing you time every day If it: - takes forever to boot - stalls opening Outlook / browsers - chokes on remote tools + tabs + Office - drags during updates - hangs during backups / OneDrive sync …that lost time adds up.

If you’re buying a printer in 2026, the big thing is to choose based on what you print most, not the sticker price. The most important buying criteria are cost per page, printer type (laser vs tank inkjet), whether you need scan/copy, and how often you actually print. For most people: laser = best for black-and-white documents, tank inkjet = best for color/photos without expensive cartridges, and cheap cartridge printers are usually the most expensive long-term. Consumer Reports and RTINGS both still emphasize text quality, graphics/photo quality, and running costs as the main factors. Best overall If you mostly print: - Documents / invoices / labels / forms → buy a monochrome laser - Color docs + occasional photos → buy a tank inkjet (EcoTank / MegaTank / Smart Tank) - Lots of photos → buy a photo-focused tank printer - Rarely print and just want cheap upfront cost → buy a cheap all-in-one, but expect higher ink cost That Brother model is a strong “safe” choice because it gives you: - Print + scan + copy - Fast black-and-white output (up to 36 ppm per listing) - Wireless + USB + Ethernet - Auto duplex - Better long-term sanity than bargain cartridge inkjets if you’re doing normal business/home paperwork. Best for cheapest long-term color printing Why this is smart: - MegaTank means refill bottles instead of cartridges - Listing claims up to 6,000 black / 7,700 color pages per ink set - Great for: home office color docs occasional flyers school/home use moderate photo use - This is usually a much better value than a cheap $50–$100 cartridge printer if you print more than lightly. Best for simple black-and-white only Why: - Monochrome laser - Up to 30 ppm - 250-sheet tray - Wireless + USB - Great if you print: invoices shipping labels forms estimates checklists - For a tech/business workflow like yours, this is the kind of printer that usually causes the fewest headaches. Best low-hassle color all-in-one for home

How much research do you put in to your purchase

Do you pay attention to your peripheral types

What do you do to an old computer before you move a user or yourself to a new one?