VDI vs. Traditional Desktops: What Growing Teams Need to Know

If your business is growing (or planning to), it’s time to ask:
Should you stick with traditional desktops, or switch to Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)?

Let’s simply break it down.

Traditional Desktops: The Old-School Setup

What it is: Each employee gets their own physical computer.
Good for: Simple setups, in-office teams.

Pros:

• Familiar and easy to use.
• Doesn’t rely on internet speed.
  
  

Cons:

• Expensive hardware for every hire.
• Slower onboarding/offboarding.
• Updates happen one machine at a time.
• Security risks with scattered devices.
• Not ideal for remote or hybrid teams.
  
  

Bottom Line: Traditional desktops are fine… until they’re not. If you're adding more than a few employees, things can quickly spiral into IT chaos.

VDI: The Scalable, Cloud-Based Option

What it is: Employees log into a virtual desktop hosted in the cloud.

Good for: Growing, remote, or hybrid teams.

Pros:

• Onboard in minutes—not hours.
• Centralized updates and management.
• Stronger data security.
• Work from anywhere, securely.
• Scales without buying tons of hardware.
  
  

Cons:

• Relies on stable internet.
• Needs a proper setup to avoid slowdowns.
  
  

Bottom Line: VDI is flexible and future-ready, if it’s implemented correctly.

Which One’s Right for You?

Ask yourself:

• Are we hiring now or soon?
• Do we have remote/hybrid workers?
• Do we want faster, easier IT management?

If the answer is yes to any of those, VDI is likely your best move.

But Don’t DIY It

VDI can save time, money, and headaches when done correctly.
If it’s done wrong? You’ll end up with slow logins, frustrated users, and security gaps.

PCS is here to help!

Let’s make sure your tech grows with your team. Start with a Free Network Assessment!