This page covers the acquisition of desktop computers. Their day-to-day management (updates, standard configuration, inventory, arrivals and departures) is described on the Device management page. Product names are mentioned only to describe the need; Courtier TI is not affiliated with their manufacturers.
Short answer
You describe the intended use, the number of computers and your software: your request is reviewed by the Courtier TI team, then entrusted to the IT services company that will prepare your quote and supply the computers. Configuration, delivery and installation are set with you.
What the quote should cover
- The number of computers and their breakdown by user profile
- The configuration: processor, memory, storage and operating system
- The monitors, keyboards, mice and other accessories needed
- The manufacturer's warranty and its service terms
- Preparation of the computers before delivery
- On-site installation and data transfer
- Collection and secure wiping of old computers
Describe the use, not the model
One configuration does not suit every employee. Describe what each group does: office work and email, accounting or management software, graphic design or technical drawing, video editing, front desk. List the software that must run on the computer and, if you know them, the requirements published by its vendors. The IT services company can then propose a configuration suited to each profile.
Also specify the number of monitors per computer, the peripherals to connect (label printer, card reader, scanner) and the space available on desks.
Windows 11 and replacing old computers
Microsoft states that Windows 10 Home and Pro reached end of support on October 14, 2025, and that version 22H2 is the final version of Windows 10. To install or upgrade to Windows 11, the minimum requirements published by Microsoft include a compatible 64-bit processor with two or more cores, 4 GB of memory, 64 GB of storage, UEFI Secure Boot capable firmware and Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0, among others. These are minimums: your software may need more.
If the request is to replace old computers, state how many do not meet these requirements. The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security's baseline cyber security controls for small and medium organizations ask organizations to conduct a risk assessment to decide whether to replace software and hardware that are not capable of automatic updates (BC.2.2).
Manufacturer's warranty
The manufacturer's warranty varies by model and by the options chosen. Ask the quote to state its length, what it covers, the service method (on-site repair or shipping the device) and the claim process. Also ask what happens to a drive replaced during a repair, since it may contain company data.
Preparation and deployment
Deployment covers what happens between delivery and the first day of use: preparing the computers, installing software, transferring files, setting up on site and collecting old devices. The Centre asks organizations to implement secure configurations on all devices by changing all default passwords, turning off unnecessary features and enabling all relevant security features (BC.4.1).
Standard configuration and follow-up after installation are part of device management, and malware protection is part of endpoint protection. Specify whether these services are part of the same request.
Secure wiping of old computers
According to the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security's publication ITSAP.40.006, deleting files is not enough: the data is still recoverable. A factory reset makes data inaccessible through the device's interface but does not truly erase it. The Centre describes other methods: overwrite and secure erase, crypto erase, which is suitable when encryption has been used from the beginning of the media's life cycle, and degaussing, which does not work on solid-state drives. For highly sensitive data, it recommends combining sanitization with physical destruction.
If the devices hold personal information, Quebec's Act respecting the protection of personal information in the private sector provides that once the purposes for which it was collected or used are achieved, the business must destroy or anonymize it, subject to any preservation period provided for by an Act (s. 23). The quote should specify the wiping method, who performs it and what document you receive.
What to specify in your request
- The number of computers per user profile
- The software to run and its known requirements
- The number of monitors and accessories per computer
- The manufacturer's warranty you want
- The delivery location, floors and hours when installation is possible
- The number of old computers to collect and wipe
You can then describe your project: the team will contact you to clarify your needs and provide a quote.
Frequently asked questions
Desktops or laptops: how to decide?
Start from the use. An employee who always works at the same desk can use a desktop; an employee who travels or works remotely needs a laptop. One request can include both, depending on the profiles.
Can our old computers move to Windows 11?
Only if they meet the Windows 11 minimum requirements published by Microsoft, which include TPM 2.0 and UEFI Secure Boot capable firmware, among others. State in the request how many computers need to be assessed.
Is a factory reset enough before getting rid of a computer?
No. According to the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security's publication ITSAP.40.006, a reset makes data inaccessible through the device's interface but does not truly erase it. The Centre describes other methods, such as secure erase and crypto erase.
What warranty should we ask for?
This is the manufacturer's warranty, which varies by model. Ask the quote to state its length, what it covers and the service method, on site or by shipping the device.
How is this different from device management?
This page covers acquiring the computers. Device management covers their whole life after installation: updates, inventory, arrivals and departures, then retirement.