Skip to content 
Refresh-Zyklus
In brief
A refresh cycle is the planned period after which a company regularly replaces IT hardware such as notebooks, PCs or servers with new devices. It is often based on lease or warranty terms, on manufacturers' end-of-support dates and on rising maintenance costs. At the end of each cycle comes the decommissioning of the old devices with data erasure, sale or disposal.
What the length of the cycle depends on
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Lease and warranty term | Many cycles end with the contract or the manufacturer warranty. |
| Manufacturer support | Missing updates after the End of Life often force replacement. |
| Software requirements | New operating systems require certain hardware, such as a TPM. |
| Costs | Repairs and failures increase with age, see Total Cost of Ownership. |
| Sustainability goals | Longer cycles save manufacturing effort and embodied energy. |
Refresh cycle and residual value
A fixed cycle has an advantage for recovery: identical models come back at the same time and are easy to market. The earlier in the life cycle, the higher the Residual value, the later, the better the life cycle assessment. Many companies therefore stagger: workstations with high demands receive new devices earlier, the older ones are passed on internally or sold. How depreciation and market value fit together is explained in the guide Laptop written off? Why it’s still worth money. Second IT provides support with inventory analysis, market valuation and collection of the old devices.
Frequently asked questions about the refresh cycle
How long should a refresh cycle be?
There is no universal duration. It depends on device type, use, end-of-support dates and your cost and sustainability goals. An inventory analysis shows which devices are still fully usable.
What happens to the old devices at the end of the cycle?
They are erased with certification and, depending on condition, sold, passed on internally, donated or professionally recycled.
Is a longer cycle always better?
Ecologically usually yes. Economically, earlier replacement can make sense if it achieves a higher residual value or reduces failure costs.
When is the right time for a hardware refresh?
Usually when the lease or manufacturer warranty ends, support runs out or new software requires different hardware. Rising repair costs and more frequent failures also argue for replacement. A fixed point in time does not apply to every device.
How do I plan the refresh cycle for notebooks and PCs?
Start with an inventory analysis and determine which workstations need new devices earlier. Stagger the replacement so that older devices can be passed on internally. Plan the recovery of the old devices, including data erasure, right from the start.
The next refresh is coming up? We take over the old devices.
Send us your device list. You will receive your offer in 48 hours on average.