Refresh & Secure: StarTech.com’s Guide to Your Next Laptop Upgrade

IT leaders should also take the time to work with agency departments to review software licenses and evaluate what applications they need on their new laptops compared with retired machines.

“This will cut down costs and reduce total cost of ownership on the laptop so they're not paying for unused licenses or features that they don't need,” Mardinly says.

Today’s laptops offer faster throughput, powerful video capabilities and more powerful charging. Here are a few things to keep in mind for your next laptop grade.

Laptop Changes Center Around Artificial Intelligence

The rapid development of artificial intelligence capabilities further compounds the rise in laptop sales.

“We're seeing AI coming into play, and I think that's also going to drive laptop sales,” Mardinly says. 

For example, new laptops integrate Intel Core Ultra processors, which feature AI neural processing units. Qualcomm has introduced a line of Snapdragon CPUs, and Microsoft unveiled Copilot+ PCs, which it says are “the fastest, most intelligent Windows PCs ever built.”

AI applications added during laptop upgrades will depend on agencies’ IT policies; they may decide to enable ChatGPT, Copilot or machine learning capabilities.

“Confidentiality and privacy come into play,” Mardinly says. “Agencies might already have strict AI policies in place to ensure what features are enabled or not enabled.”

As federal government agencies work through laptop refresh cycles, IT teams and workers will need to migrate  data from retired laptops to new ones. They will need to securely erase data off old devices and avoid mishandling confidential data, which can lead to a data breach.

“Employees need to make sure that personal files are removed and cleaned up so that the laptop can be retired,” Mardinly says.

Laptop Upgrades Spark Connectivity, Privacy and Security Concerns

Next-generation laptops often bring changes in connectivity for peripherals; the latest incorporate USB4 and Intel Thunderbolt 4 ports. The latter provides 40 gigabit-per-second, bidirectional bandwidth.

With many new laptops lacking Ethernet ports, consider whether you need a USB network adapter or a docking station to connect to, Mardinly says.

Click the banner below to learn how IT modernization supports digital government.

Mardinly also says workers should seek out software that can help erase drives and ensure the drives have been wiped clean.

Agencies have their own rules governing how material  is wiped from retired laptops. StarTech.com provides stand-alone, secure drive erasers that can help with confidential information removal, allowing drives to be reused or safely discarded. Certain agencies work with highly sensitive or confidential data, and their machines will require a secure erase.

Mardinly recommends following the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Special Publication 800-88 guidelines for erasing data from retired laptops, which deal with clearing, purging or destroying.

RELATED: Find value in old technology through IT asset disposition.

Clearing involves standard read and write commands, while purging involves overwriting, block erasing and cryptographic erasure. Destroying the hardware guards against data being recovered using laboratory techniques by disintegrating, melting or shredding the equipment. However, clearing or purging is a better option to reduce harmful electronic waste.

“Most government agencies will follow NIST, or they'll look for NIST-compliant software or hardware,” Mardinly says.

To protect visual data on your new laptop, consider a privacy filter that can be attached to the screen on your laptop or monitor.

“They’re really just an easy way to prevent visual eavesdropping, or what's called visual hacking,” Mardinly says. “They protect your data on-screen from being viewed by other people or wandering eyes. This is especially important in government agencies that deal with very confidential, sensitive data.”

For that reason, privacy filters are commonplace in government. StarTech’s website lets users match privacy filters to the dimensions of their laptop screen or monitor.

LEARN MORE: The Army’s network is becoming a ‘weapon system.’

Test Hardware and Software Compatibility Before Buying Laptops

Deployment run-throughs with a small number of employees, before upgrades are pushed to all staff, can detect software and hardware compatibility issues. 

“Do a test to see what that deployment might look like,” Mardinly says. “It will save a lot of downtime and troubleshooting later on.”

Ensure that your laptop and the connectivity accessories you choose are compatible. For example, not all docking stations support Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, which power CoPilot+ PCs. Consider working with a vendor that can provide testing and compatibility with hardware and operating system platforms, as this can save IT teams time with future upgrades.

“IT teams need to assess which peripherals may need upgrading to leverage the performance capabilities of new laptops and keep users productive. This includes higher-resolution monitors, docking stations, cables and USB devices,” Mardinly says. “Compatibility and performance with the latest OS and hardware platforms is crucial during a refresh cycle.”

Brought to you by: