Partner Content: How the End of Windows 10 Support is Affecting AI PC Refresh Decisions

With Microsoft set to end support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025, businesses are facing a critical decision: upgrade their existing systems or invest in new hardware.

While security and performance are always top considerations during a refresh cycle, the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in computing is adding a new layer of complexity to these decisions.

In this article, we’ll be exploring how AI hardware strategies are being affected by the end of Windows 10 support.

Upgrade or Replace – What’s Next for Your Hardware?

Once Windows 10 support ends, businesses that continue using it will face increasing security vulnerabilities, lack of software updates, and potential compliance risks. These concerns alone are driving many organisations towards Windows 11.

This transition, however, is not as simple as installing a new operating system. Windows 11 has stricter hardware requirements than its predecessor, meaning that a significant number of older devices won’t be eligible for the upgrade. This means swathes of PC fleets need to be assessed by businesses to determine which can be upgraded – and which need to be replaced altogether.

But choosing the right hardware isn’t just about meeting Windows 11’s minimum specifications. With AI capabilities becoming an integral part of modern workflows, organisations must ensure that their new systems are equipped to deliver real performance benefits. The challenge is cutting through the overwhelming AI marketing landscape - where much of the conversation is dominated by consumer applications - to focus on practical, enterprise-grade AI solutions. Businesses need to evaluate which AI-powered features will drive actual productivity gains, ensure compatibility with legacy applications, and balance performance with cost-effectiveness.

Windows 11 brings these built-in AI capabilities, including features like Copilot, which enhance productivity and streamline workflows. However, these AI-powered tools require modern processors, ample RAM, and dedicated neural processing units (NPUs) to function optimally.

Tom Pieser, Large Enterprise Sales Strategy Specialist at Intel, told Computing: “There are a lot of AI solutions you can ultimately implement.

“You can pick and choose your hardware, your software stack, your solutions, etc. And the challenge with AI is that if you don’t know the outcomes and the use cases you’re trying to solve, you might end up over-provisioning or under-provisioning.”

This means that businesses need to carefully evaluate their workloads and performance needs before making purchasing decisions. Over-investing in AI-ready PCs when they aren’t necessary could be costly, while underestimating AI’s role in future workflows may lead to performance bottlenecks.

Balancing Cost, Performance, and Longevity

For many organisations, the decision to upgrade is not just about keeping up with the latest technology – it’s also a financial and strategic investment. Replacing large numbers of PCs can be expensive, and companies must balance the cost of new hardware with the long-term benefits of improved security, AI-driven efficiencies, and lower maintenance costs.

There’s also the environmental factor to consider. The expiration of Windows 10 could render millions of older PCs obsolete, leading to increased electronic waste. Some businesses are exploring options like extended security updates or using cloud-based solutions to extend the lifespan of certain systems. However, for those looking to fully embrace AI-driven productivity, investing in new hardware may be the best path forward.

The end of Windows 10 support is forcing businesses to rethink their IT strategies. While security concerns alone are driving many towards Windows 11, the growing impact of AI is adding another layer of complexity to PC refresh decisions.

Organisations that take a strategic approach – aligning their hardware choices with their AI needs – will be better positioned to navigate this transition and capitalise on the benefits of next-generation computing.

Want to learn more about AI PCs and the considerations you should be making in your hardware strategy? Hear from Kena Johnson (Computing) and Tom Pieser (Intel) as they dive deeper into this, as well as industry trends, AI PC benefits, and emerging use cases HERE .

This article is sponsored by Intel