End User Compute | Page 3 of 9

The October 14, 2025, end-of-support date for Windows 10 is compelling organisations to plan their migration to Windows 11. The move is a critical step towards stronger security and improved productivity. However, one of the most common and significant concerns delaying these upgrades is the uncertainty around legacy applications.

For many organisations, business-critical software (such as older accounting platforms, bespoke CRM systems, or other line-of-business applications) is the operational backbone. The fear that this essential software will not work after an operating system upgrade is a primary reason for delaying the transition, creating a roadblock to modernisation.

The Compatibility Challenge

While Microsoft data shows that 99.7% of applications are compatible with Windows 11, the remaining fraction often includes the custom-built or legacy systems that are most integral to an organisation’s operations. Delaying an OS upgrade to protect these applications creates long-term risk. Without purchasing Extended Security Updates (ESU), organisations will no longer receive security updates, leaving them vulnerable to security risks. Read more about this here: The Hidden Risks and Rising Costs of Relying on Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) | XMA

A major worry for any business is whether essential software will work after an upgrade. Simply hoping for the best is not a viable strategy. A structured approach is required to test and validate these applications to ensure they do not hinder your migration to Windows 11.

How XMA Mitigates Application Risk

At XMA, we address the challenge of legacy applications head-on. Our services are designed to help you find proactive solutions that mitigate issues with legacy applications, ensuring they do not stand in the way of a secure and seamless migration.

Our approach includes:

Windows 11 Application Analysis: We accelerate your application analysis by effectively consolidating and standardising your application estate, ensuring a consistent and secure service delivery. We rationalise your software landscape by focusing on proactive management, license consolidation, and service efficiency. By utilising crowd-sourced application compatibility data, enhanced by a Confidence Score, we help you make informed decisions with greater confidence.
Secure Legacy Applications: Containerise your applications to securely run legacy applications on your modern device estate. Containers provide a secure way to run legacy applications by blocking inbound traffic and reducing potential vulnerabilities, helping you achieve Cyber Essentials Plus. Run any application without modification on Any OS. Anywhere.
Application Lifecycle Management: Obtain low touch deployment of applications and updates to Windows (and macOS) Apps through a powerful automation engine. Gain a unified, dynamic, adaptive, and contextual workspace for organisations and users. Automatically keep all applications updated and patched in real time, and cut application packaging and testing time by as much as 90%.

Legacy applications are a valid concern, but they should not be a barrier to modernising your IT estate. By taking a proactive and structured approach, you can ensure your essential software continues to support your operations on a secure, modern platform.

Contact an XMA consultant today at enquiries@xma.co.uk to build a migration plan that addresses your specific application compatibility needs.

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Michael Conlon

Former teacher, school leader, and survivor of many education reforms. Now an Education Transformation Consultant, Michael specialises in turning big tech promises into actual classroom wins.

As an Education Transformation Consultant with over 25 years in teaching and leadership, I’ve seen more “next big things” in education than I can count. But one shift is different: ensuring every learner has access to their own device – properly secured and managed, but their own. This isn’t about shiny tin or staff and pupil attraction and retention – it’s about equity, opportunity, and founded on an understanding that the world of work and future learning is a fundamentally different place.

Here’s why one-to-one programs matter now more than ever:

Equity is not optional
Without universal access, we create a two-tier system: those who can participate in digital learning, and those who can’t. A personal device is today’s textbook—it’s the baseline for fairness. I’m not suggesting every minute of every lesson – far from it but that it is there, whenever and wherever you need it.
Technology removes barriers, it doesn’t create them
From tools like Immersive Reader to AI-powered learning accelerators, devices open doors for learners with different needs. Access allows every student—whether struggling or thriving—to engage on equal footing, with aids that help overcome learning challenges.
Skills for tomorrow are built today
Digital fluency is no longer a “nice to have.” It’s a prerequisite for almost every career. Students who lack consistent access risk being unprepared—not because they lack potential, but because they are under-resourced.
Inclusion is powerful (and visible)
When every child has a device, every voice can be heard. Quiet students can contribute online, collaboration happens seamlessly, and learning can extend beyond the four walls of the classroom.
It’s about futures, not gadgets
This isn’t about handing out laptops and tablets. It’s about dignity, opportunity, and ensuring that when AI, quantum computing, and the next wave of innovation comes we don’t widen the attainment gap. The future is coming fast for our country and our economy. Let’s demonstrate we are future facing.

Final Thought

We need to consider that one-to-one access isn’t a luxury—it’s the foundation of modern learning, from an age and stage when the journey with digital makes most sense. If we fail to provide it, we’re not just denying students devices; we’re closing doors.

Managing endpoints across an entire organisation is a primary function of any IT department. For many, it’s a continuous cycle of patching vulnerabilities, deploying software, and managing high device costs. This is particularly true for businesses supporting a mix of office-based, remote, and frontline workers who all have different needs. A modern device strategy must be secure, cost-effective, and reduce the operational strain on IT.

This is where ASUS Chromebooks present a strong business case. By operating on Google’s ChromeOS, these devices are built from the ground up for a cloud-first world, offering a direct answer to many traditional endpoint challenges.

Security and Management by Default

Instead of relying on third-party security software, ChromeOS has security built into its core. Every application runs in its own isolated ‘sandbox’, meaning threats are contained and cannot impact the wider system. With verified boot and automatic updates that run in the background, devices are always running the latest, most secure version of the OS without user intervention or IT downtime.

For your IT team, management is handled through the cloud-based Google Admin Console. This allows for zero-touch enrolment, where devices are configured automatically out of the box, and provides your team with the tools to enforce policies and deploy applications to the entire fleet remotely. For organisations that need deeper controls, Chromebook Plus Enterprise unlocks advanced security and management capabilities.

A Device for Every Role

Of course, the hardware needs to be right for the user. In our new guide, we detail the specifications of the latest ASUS Chromebook business range to help you match the right device to the right role.

The guide covers the full spectrum: from the durable and cost-effective ASUS Chromebook Flip CX1 for frontline tasks, to the highly portable CM30 Detachable for mobile workers, and the powerful ExpertBook CX54 Chromebook Plus Enterprise for executives who need premium performance.

Beyond the Device: Full Lifecycle Management from XMA

Procuring the hardware is just the first step. To get the full value from your investment, you need a plan for deployment, in-life support, and eventual retirement. Our guide also outlines how XMA’s services complete the picture. We provide:

Device Management as a Service (DMaaS): We handle the logistics and management of your Chromebook fleet, freeing up your IT team.

Flexible Leasing: Acquire the hardware you need without the upfront capital expenditure.

Support and Break-Fix: Minimise downtime with rapid, reliable repair and replacement services.

To get a detailed breakdown of the ASUS Chromebook range and understand how a managed service from XMA can reduce your total cost of ownership, download our guide today.

When It Comes To Windows 10 End-of-Support: Don’t Replace, Refresh Your Device Strategy

The final day of support for Windows 10, October 14, 2025, is now just weeks away. For many organisations, the initial reaction is to focus on the operating system upgrade itself. However, the move to Windows 11 presents a more fundamental challenge that an OS update alone cannot solve: hardware compatibility.

A significant portion of existing device estates simply do not meet the hardware requirements for Windows 11. This reality is forcing a difficult and often unplanned conversation about a large-scale device replacement. For many, this will feel like a reactive and expensive problem.

But it doesn’t have to be. This deadline should not trigger a panic-buy. Instead, it should be the catalyst for a more strategic, data-driven approach to your entire device estate. It’s time to move from a reactive replacement cycle to a SMART Device Refresh.

The Cost of Inaction and Unplanned Refresh Cycles

Organisations still running on Windows 10 after the deadline will be required to purchase Extended Security Updates (ESUs) for every non-compliant device to avoid exposure to cyber threats. This is a significant financial drain with no return on investment. The cost escalates dramatically, doubling in the second year and doubling again in the third, creating a recurring budget item spent only to maintain an obsolete OS.

Furthermore, many organisations are already caught in a cycle of reacting to device failures and budget availability rather than making informed, data-driven refresh decisions. This approach often leads to overspending on devices that are not suited to user needs, while leaving other areas with inadequate technology that hinders productivity and impacts employee morale.

A Strategic Approach: The XMA SMART Device Refresh

XMA’s SMART Device Refresh service provides a structured, data-driven plan to navigate the Windows 11 transition and optimise your entire device estate for the long term. We help you balance performance, user experience, and cost-efficiency.

Our approach is built on providing actionable insights to make smarter investment decisions. We help you avoid overspending and extend device lifecycles where appropriate, without compromising on security.

How We Help:

Insightful Hardware Assessment: Our first step is a fast-track assessment of your entire hardware estate. We identify which devices are compatible with Windows 11, which ones are not, and which can be redeployed to other roles extending their useful life. This gives you a clear, data-driven baseline for your migration plan, as well as a more sustainable approach to your IT assets.
Data-Driven Procurement: For devices that require replacement, we provide a streamlined procurement service. Our advice is based on a deep understanding of user needs, ensuring you invest in hardware that is powerful enough for the job but affordable enough for your budget. For example, we use insights on application usage to ensure a designer gets the right GPU and a data analyst gets the right CPU, avoiding unnecessary expense while improving productivity.
Flexible Procurement and Lifecycle Management: We understand the pressure on capital budgets. We offer flexible procurement options through public sector frameworks, including financing and as-a-service models that can shift expenditure from CapEx to a predictable operational cost. For a complete solution, our Device Management as a Service (DMaaS) can handle the entire device lifecycle, from procurement and deployment to ongoing support and secure disposal, reducing the burden on your internal IT team.

The Windows 10 end-of-support deadline is a chance to break the reactive cycle of device management and implement a cost-effective, long-term plan that aligns with your organisation’s goals.

Don’t pay the price for delay. Contact XMA today at enquiries@xma.co.uk to build a SMART device refresh strategy for your transition to Windows 11.

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Michael Conlon walks us through how schools can tackle the digital education landscape.

Michael Conlon

Michael is XMA’s Education Transformation Consultant. With over 25 years in teaching and leadership he has sat through more strategy meetings and indulged more fads than he cares to admit, but still loves help schools make sense of digital transformation—without the jargon, and ideally without the panic.

The UK Government’s digital and technology standards for schools and colleges set a clear direction: resilient infrastructure, inclusive access, and strategic leadership. At XMA, we believe in empowering educators with agnostic, future-ready solutions that meet these standards and elevate learning. Here’s how:

Cloud Platforms That Work for Everyone

Whether it’s Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, we guide schools through seamless cloud adoption, ensuring secure access, data protection, and long-term cost efficiency.

Cyber Security That Protects Learning

From endpoint protection to staff training, our cyber resilience solutions align with DfE standards and keep digital environments safe for students and educators.

Devices Designed for Education

We supply and configure devices that meet curriculum needs—whether it’s 1:1 student access or shared classroom sets—ensuring performance, security, and longevity.

Digital Inclusion for Every Learner

We help schools audit and implement accessibility tools, ensuring that all students, no matter their learning challenges, can engage fully with digital learning.

Filtering and Monitoring That Safeguards

For you’re core duty, our safeguarding solutions meet statutory guidance, giving schools peace of mind with intelligent filtering and real-time monitoring.

Leadership That Drives Strategy

We work with MATs and Local Authorities to establish their digital maturity, and develop digital strategies that align with governance standards, budget realities, and long-term goals.

Sustainable Server and Storage Solutions

Whether cloud-first or hybrid, our server and storage options need to meet environmental and security standards.

Professional Development That Sticks

Technology is redundant if people don’t know how to use it effectively. We offer training and support that builds digital confidence across teaching and support staff.

Keeping your eye on the horizon

XMA excel at anticipating and leaning into tomorrow’s technologies to bring solutions to customers that add value and improve how they work.

At XMA, we don’t push products—we build partnerships. Our agnostic approach means we focus on what works best for your context, your learners, and your goals. If you’re interested in your school becoming more Digital Confident, contact us at enquiries@xma.co.uk.

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This is the second in a series of blog posts exploring Android Desktop. Our Head of Pre-Sales, Scott Wright, will be looking at the current state of Android Desktop, following its improvement as release approaches, examining use cases, looking at essential apps & peripherals and more.

Scott Wright

Scott is XMA’s Head of Pre-Sales. An IT industry greybeard, he violated his own rule about being an early adopter when he bought the first Android phone at launch and hasn’t regretted that decision.

Most of this blog will be talking about the benefits of a mobile device with any sort of desktop interface, rather than Android Desktop specifically, so before we start that let’s talk for a moment about why the launch of Android Desktop is causing such a buzz.

Desktop solutions for Android are currently available from several device vendors with Samsung’s DeX being the most established. Motorola Ready-For (also on Lenovo ThinkPhones), Huawei Desktop Mode and Xiaomi MIUI Desktop mode are also available. These solutions are vendor specific which raises concerns for many organisations, should the vendor cease supporting them then the organisation will be forced to change device in order to continue with their device strategy. With Android Desktop as a core part of the Android offering (and Apple promising to follow suit) not only is desktop mode legitimised a standard phone feature but organisations adopting a vendor specific solution like DeX have a fall-back plan that does not require device replacement, substantially reducing risk. As such, there is considerable interest in Android Desktop, even from organisations who are considering or who have adopted a vendor specific solution.

Below I am going to expound on some of the possible benefits and give examples of the use cases that might realise those benefits.

Benefits: Managed Device Reduction

The most immediate benefit for many organisations will be a reduction in devices. Many organisations are issuing both a laptop and mobile to a large cohort of users with fairly light computing requirements. This is especially wasteful for front-line workers for whom the mobile is the primary device and the laptop is an occasional use device. Replacing the managed laptop with a laptop-shaped docking station (“lapdock”, more on these in a future blog post) reduces cost but also reduces the number of devices requiring licences and updates, eliminates a large number of devices as potential sources of data loss (a laptop left in a taxi, for example, cannot contain any data as it is merely a docking station) and more. Shared desktops can also be replaced with docking stations or docking monitors, reducing the number of managed devices.

Benefits: Shared Desktops

For users with a mobile device who also use shared desktops, for example many healthcare workers, solutions such as VDI, roaming profiles, follow-me desktop and similar are used to make moving between shared desktops as seamless as possible but typically have substantial cost and complexity associated with them. These solutions and the shared desktops themselves can be eliminated and replaced with docking stations or docking monitors while providing an even more seamless working experience, not only between shared desktops but also between desktop and mobile device, allowing healthcare professionals to transition seamlessly between patient interaction spaces and desk-based working.

Benefits: Security Implications

Anywhere that shared devices are in use presents a challenge for data security. Data must not be unintentionally accessible between users and this is especially important in settings where that data is highly sensitive, such as a clinical or law enforcement settings. With most Police officers being issued a mobile device, utilising docking monitors in place of shared desktops for docking stations prevents inadvertent data access between users via the shared device. Using lapdocks rather than laptops as a car-working solution means that it is impossible for data to be stored locally, reducing the risk associated with device theft.

This benefit is also useful in other contexts, for example many higher education institutions have a pool of shared devices which are made available to learners. The HE organisation must ensure not only that data does not inadvertently pass between users but also that malware which might be introduced by a user does not impact other users of that shared device. By offering a pool of shared lapdocks, rather than laptops, these concerns can be eliminated. This will, of course, require waiting for most mobile devices to offer a desktop mode – likely several years before most Android and Apple devices are running a suitable operating system version.

Benefits: Attracting Younger Workers / Learners

Many of the young people entering work or higher education have limited Windows / MacOS experience. Their personal devices are mobiles or tablets and the bulk of their school IT experience is using Chromebooks or iPads. Several regions will shortly see the first cohort of learners leaving school who have had a Chromebook or iPad as their learning device for the entirety of their secondary education and over the coming years this will increasingly become standard.

Offering a mobile-centric working experience, even if only as an option, may allow business and HE organisations to make themselves more attractive to these young persons that they are seeking to attract.

So, in summary, while this solution may not be suitable for all users at this time, organisations may be able to realise a reduction in managed devices and their associated costs, increased user satisfaction and an improved security posture.

The next post will explore the current state of Android Desktop in Beta and the functionality offered. If you’re interested in exploring an Android desktop solution, contact us at enquiries@xma.co.uk.

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This is the first in a series of blog posts exploring Android Desktop. Our Head of Pre-Sales, Scott Wright, will be looking at the current state of Android Desktop, following its improvement as release approaches, examining use cases, looking at essential apps & peripherals and more.

Scott Wright

Scott is XMA’s Head of Pre-Sales. An IT industry greybeard, he violated his own rule about being an early adopter when he bought the first Android phone at launch and hasn’t regretted that decision.

What is Android Desktop?
Android Desktop is a desktop-like experience for Android phones when connected to an external display, and typically also to a keyboard and mouse. It provides a larger display area, a taskbar, applications in moveable, resizable windows and so forth with the intent to make your phone a practical device to work on. It is currently available only on beta versions of Android 16 which are available on selected Pixel and other devices but will become a core Android feature. Apple is also working on an equivalent for iPhone but, as usual, they are keeping their cards close to the chest. More on that when there is news.

A desktop mode for phones, when connected to suitable equipment. is not a new idea. Several phone manufacturers have offered their own takes on this, most notably Samsung with their DeX offering that launched in 2017. DeX was arguably a little ahead of its time, applications were not universally available with a web interface and phone hardware was significantly less powerful than today. There is also a concern with adopting vendor specific solutions, although Samsung, for example, are as far from a fly-by-night company as you can get. The availability of a vendor agnostic solution which is a core part of the Android operating system has put this back onto many organisations’ radars due to potential reductions in devices, benefits for frontline workers and more.

How to Access Android Desktop
If you want to try this yourselves then you’ll need a Beta version of Android 16 (ideally the current version QPR1 Beta4 but at least Beta2) and a suitable device. A Pixel 6 or newer is supported and some other vendors do also offer Beta versions of Android to their users. Enrolling in the Beta program and updating your device is quick and easy with a Pixel and you can revert back but do be aware this will likely require a device wipe. For other vendors see their instructions and warnings, some are more involved and complex than others.

All of the usual caveats around Beta programs do, of course, apply. There will be incomplete functionality, bugs, issues and more so do consider if you should do this to your device. I have a laptop, my personal phone and a spare work phone that just needs the SIM swapping over to be running again so I have lots of options if I hit a problem. Do also note, if this is a work-provided device, then you should seek permission before installing a Beta OS and may need your device profile changing to permit that and to permit access to the developer options (which you will need).

If you are using a Pixel device then go to the “Your eligible devices” section at the link below, opt in and then perform a system update. I found this to be a very straightforward process.

After installing Android 16 Beta then you will need to enable the developer options. To do this go into settings and navigate to About phone > Build number (bottom of the menu). Tap on the build number repeatedly until you either get a message telling you that developer options are enabled or until you are asked to unlock the device (pin, biometrics, etc). The developer options will now be available. It’s a very long menu so search for Enable desktop experience features and enable it.

Now you can connect your Android device to suitable peripherals, most USB-C laptop docks and docking monitors will work to provide a display, keyboard and mouse to your Android device.

More To Come
There are lots of questions to be answered – What’s the best way of accessing M365 applications? What specification of device is needed for a good experience? What are the essential peripherals, both for the desk and when travelling? What apps cannot be used successfully? Follow along with me as I explore what Android Desktop can and can’t do as I try to live with it as a work device.

We all know the end of summer brings a familiar chaos. For parents, it’s the frantic rush for uniforms, stationery, and the single most important (and debated) item on the list: the student device. For schools and Multi-Academy Trusts, it’s about ensuring the technology you’ve chosen can actually withstand the reality of a new academic year.

This year, we followed the back-to-school journey of one family to see how the right technology choices can make all the difference.

Meet the Millers
Proud mum Sarah has two children heading into demanding years: Chloe is starting a graphic design course at her independent school, and Tom is off to Further Education college.

The great device debate in their house was short-lived. They’d heard good things about the usual suspects, but after kicking the tyres, they needed technology that could keep up with the daily reality of student life.

The Right Tools for the Job

For Chloe, the budding artist, the choice was the Samsung Galaxy Book3 360. As a 2-in-1 device, it gives her the flexibility she needs. She can type up essays in traditional laptop mode, then flip the 360-degree hinge and use it as a tablet for sketching.

The real clincher was the combination of the stunning Super AMOLED touchscreen and the natural, paper-like feel of the included S Pen. It means the colours in her digital paintings are incredibly vibrant and accurate, giving her a significant advantage in her creative work.

For Tom, it was all about practicality. He needed a reliable workhorse for his FE course that wouldn’t break the bank. The Galaxy Book4 was the perfect fit. While it’s an affordable, entry-level model, it doesn’t compromise on quality or performance. It’s a sleek, solid all-rounder with a modern Intel® Core™ processor, more than capable of handling his research, reports, and presentations.

Built for the Realities of Student Life

Chloe’s day starts in the art studio. She flips her Book3 360 into tablet mode, the high-resolution screen showing every detail of her reference photos. Using the S Pen, she sketches directly onto the screen, the pressure sensitivity allowing her to create fine lines and broad strokes just like a real pencil. In her next lesson, History of Art, she switches to laptop mode to type notes, the full-sized keyboard making it easy to keep up. At lunch, she and her friends gather around her device in ‘tent’ mode to watch a design tutorial – the Super AMOLED screen is so bright and clear they can all see it perfectly, even with the lunchtime glare. The flexibility is a game-changer.

Tom found himself in a classic student bind: a 15-minute break to prepare for a seminar on a topic he’d only half-read the night before. Instead of panicking, he pulled up the lengthy research article on his Galaxy Book4 and asked Microsoft Copilot to summarise the key arguments. In minutes, he had a clear, concise overview, ready for the discussion. It was a perfect example of working smarter, not harder, showcasing how the device’s built-in AI tools can be a massive help for students on a tight schedule.

Here are a few other ways these devices are designed for the rigours of education:

All-Day (and then some) Battery: Both Chloe and Tom can leave their chargers at home. The battery life on the Galaxy Book series is huge. If they ever do get caught short, the super-fast USB-C charger can deliver hours of power in the time it takes to drink a coffee.

The Samsung Ecosystem in Action: This is where things get really clever. Tom often jots down notes on his Samsung phone between classes, where they automatically sync and appear on his Galaxy Book4 when he sits down to study. Chloe uses her Samsung tablet as a second screen, giving her a dedicated space for reference images while she works on her main canvas. Sharing work is simple and instant with Quick Share, so there’s no more “the dog ate my homework, sir” or, more accurately, “the email got lost in my outbox”.

Lightweight and Portable: These laptops are incredibly thin and light, sliding easily into a packed backpack without adding bulk.

Peace of Mind for Parents and IT Directors

This is where the story becomes particularly relevant for education buyers. A happy parent with a child using a reliable device is a parent who isn’t calling your IT helpdesk.

What if a student device does have an issue?

This is where the support comes in. Every B2B Samsung Notebook from XMA includes a 3-year, business-grade warranty as standard. If your device suffers a fault, Samsung will repair your device at our UK service centre – if it can’t be fixed, it will be replaced free of charge. This is a level of practical, responsive support that keeps students learning without disruption. If the devices are part of XMA’s Device-Management-as-a-Service, there’s even less hassle, with 24/7 break-fix, Gold Stock ready to go, and active device monitoring for any hardware and software issues.

Furthermore, the entire range is protected by multiple layers of security, including Samsung Knox, Intel secure core at the chip level, and Windows Pro, keeping student and school data safe from threats.

How a Stress-Free September becomes a Lower TCO

So, what does the Millers’ stress-free September mean for a School or Multi-Academy Trust?

It means:

Fewer IT Support Tickets: Durable devices and a simple, effective warranty process mean your IT team spends less time dealing with broken hardware and more time on strategic initiatives.

Improved Learning Outcomes: Students with reliable, long-lasting batteries and seamless ways to work across devices are better equipped to stay productive and engaged.

Demonstrable Value: You are providing families with technology that not only performs brilliantly but is built to last the course, offering a lower total cost of ownership and proving that budget-friendly doesn’t have to mean compromising on quality.

The Samsung Galaxy Book range provides a robust, secure, and high-performing alternative that is built for the specific demands of the education environment.

Ready to explore how Samsung’s range can benefit your institution? Schedule a consultation with an XMA specialist to see the devices for yourself.

Contact us at: enquiries@xma.co.uk

The shift to hybrid and hot-desking models is permanent. For IT teams, this has fundamentally changed hardware requirements. The traditional, bulky desktop tower that once defined corporate IT is impractical for a workforce that needs to operate effectively from various locations, be it a central office, a home study, or a shared workspace. Today’s professionals require compact, powerful, and secure computing that adapts to their location, without compromising on performance. The challenge is to deliver this capability consistently and securely across a distributed workforce.

The Challenge: Power and Flexibility Without the Bulk

Many organisations face a difficult trade-off. Their teams need high-performance computing for demanding tasks like CAD, graphic design, and complex data analysis. Yet, the physical constraints of modern offices and home-working environments don’t accommodate large, power-hungry hardware. Bulky towers consume valuable desk space, generate excess heat, and are ill-suited to flexible desking arrangements. While laptops offer portability, they often cannot deliver the sustained, specialised performance of a dedicated workstation, creating a gap between user requirements and device capability.

The Solution: Compact HP Workstations with AMD Processors

This is where a new category of device provides a direct solution. HP has engineered workstations that deliver professional-grade performance within compact and mobile designs, specifically addressing the challenges of hybrid work.

HP Z2 Mini G9: As the world’s most powerful mini workstation, this device packs high-end performance into a versatile chassis that is small enough to be mounted behind a monitor or under a desk. It can be configured with professional-grade NVIDIA RTX graphics, making it capable of handling demanding 3D workflows, and holds Independent Software Vendor (ISV) certifications for key applications like Autodesk and SolidWorks. This guarantees hardware stability and performance for the critical software your teams rely on, removing guesswork and instability.

HP ZBook Power G11 A: For users who require workstation capability on the move, the ZBook provides the processing and graphics power to run demanding applications from any location. It’s not simply a powerful laptop, it is a mobile workstation. Configured with AMD Ryzen™ PRO processors and professional NVIDIA RTX™ Ada Generation Laptop GPUs, it delivers the sustained performance needed for video editing, 3D rendering, and data analysis without the throttling common in thinner, non-specialised devices. It removes the choice between mobility and performance, equipping remote and hybrid workers with a single, reliable device for all their professional needs.

The AMD Ryzen™ PRO Advantage

Integral to the performance and security of these workstations are the AMD Ryzen™ PRO Processors, built for modern professional environments. Feel secure with AMD Memory Guard, which encrypts system memory in real-time to protect against physical attacks if a device is lost or stolen. For IT teams overseeing a fleet of remote hardware, AMD PRO manageability simplifies deployment and maintenance. Easily perform out-of-band management, deploy images, and push security updates to devices anywhere.

The Space, Power, and Security Trifecta

The combination of HP’s compact engineering and AMD’s processor technology directly solves the three core challenges of modern IT provisioning:

Space-Saving Flexibility: The small footprint of devices like the Z2 Mini frees up desk space, enabling cleaner, more flexible hot-desking and home office setups.

Workstation-Class Power: Users can run professional applications for CAD, design, and data science without the performance throttling often found in non-specialised hardware, backed by ISV certifications for stability.

Robust Security & Manageability: IT teams get devices with built-in, hardware-level security and the fleet management tools they can depend on to secure and maintain a distributed workforce.

Why XMA?

Choosing the right hardware is only the first step. XMA is the partner that helps organisations successfully integrate these solutions. We provide the practical services required to move from procurement to productivity. Our teams can assist with choosing and configuring the precise specifications your users need. We offer flexible leasing and finance options to make technology acquisition more predictable, alongside deployment support to get your new workstations imaged, asset-tagged, and delivered to users, wherever they are. We also manage the sustainable and secure disposal of your legacy equipment.

Discover how HP compact workstations can equip your hybrid teams. Contact an XMA specialist today.

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The University of Lincoln needed to revitalise its outdated computer labs. Their vision was to create a state-of-the-art facility to attract top student talent and support advanced academic work. By partnering with XMA and ASUS Republic of Gamers, this vision became the impressive Republic of Gamers Lab.

Here’s a snapshot of the project’s success:

A World-Class Immersive Facility: The lab now features over 140 high-performance PCs, including nearly 60 premier Republic of Gamers-branded systems. The setup is enhanced with ultra-wide ASUS TUF monitors, a full suite of Republic of Gamers peripherals, and a bespoke, retro 80s-themed art wall.

A Versatile Hub for Innovation: This is more than just a computer lab. It’s a versatile space designed to support demanding fields like AI, robotics, and game design. It also serves as a dynamic venue for hackathons and game jams, fostering a strong sense of community.

A Partnership Delivering Tangible Results: The strategic move to high-performance Republic of Gamers hardware resulted in delivering performance where it matters. The lab’s striking aesthetic and strong branding also serve as a powerful marketing asset for the university.

See the full story behind this incredible transformation.

Read the full case study now

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Don’t Let Legacy Applications Block Your Windows 11 Migration

Access Before Success: 5 Reasons One-to-One Devices Are No Longer Optional

Michael Conlon

Simplifying Your Endpoint Strategy: A Guide to Chromebooks for UK Businesses

When It Comes To Windows 10 End-of-Support: Don’t Replace, Refresh Your Device Strategy

9 Ways Schools Can Meet the Moment with Digital Confidence

Michael Conlon

Android Desktop: Potential Use Cases and Benefits

Scott Wright

Android Desktop: An emergency option for when your laptop is broken, or a paradigm shift in client devices?

Scott Wright

The Right Tech for the Academic Year: A Win for Students, Parents, and Your IT Team

Why Compact Workstations Are the Future of Hybrid Work

Inside the University of Lincoln’s State-of-the-Art ASUS Republic of Gamers Lab

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