As enterprises invest in digital transformation, office tablets have become a cornerstone of modern workflows—praised for portability, intuitive interfaces, and cloud integration. But while initial purchase prices may seem cost-effective, many IT managers are uncovering a critical hidden factor in long-term ownership: repairability scores and their impact on the 5-year Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
Repairability refers to how easy it is to service or replace a device’s components, including batteries, screens, ports, and internal boards. Tablets with low repairability scores often require full replacements for minor issues, driving up maintenance costs and e-waste. In contrast, high-repairability models can be fixed in-house or by third-party technicians, minimizing downtime and extending device life.
For enterprise-scale deployments, the difference is substantial. A fleet of tablets with poor repairability could lead to recurring costs for replacements, shipping delays, and data loss. Conversely, investing in more modular, serviceable models—even if slightly more expensive upfront—can reduce overall costs and carbon footprint over time.
In fact, recent studies show that repairable tablets can lower the 5-year TCO by up to 30% compared to sealed or proprietary models. Enterprises that factor in repairability also benefit from better control over IT inventory, simplified maintenance contracts, and fewer device refresh cycles.
As sustainability and cost-efficiency take center stage in procurement strategies, repairability scores should no longer be an afterthought. For long-term value, enterprises must evaluate not just specs and price tags—but how a device performs over years of real-world wear and tear. In the case of office tablets, the cheapest option may not be the smartest investment.