MSP Minimum Hardware Standards

Our baseline requirements for hardware, operating systems, and device compliance to ensure security, performance, and reliable support.

1. Purpose

This policy defines the minimum hardware and operating system standards required for full MSP support. These standards ensure security, performance, reliability, and compliance with Microsoft and industry best practices.


Devices that do not meet these standards may be placed on a remediation plan or excluded from full support coverage.

2. Supported Operating Systems

Fully Supported

Windows 11 Pro

Windows 11 Enterprise

Fully licensed and activated

Running a Microsoft-supported build

Not Supported

Windows 11 Home

Windows 10 (unless under written transition agreement)

Any end-of-life operating system

Unlicensed or non-genuine software installations

3. Minimum Hardware Requirements

All managed endpoints must meet the following minimum specifications:

64-Bit architecture

Intel 8th Gen CPU or newer

AMD Ryzen 3000 series or newer

16GB RAM minimum

256GB SSD minimum (NVMe preferred)

TPM 2.0 enabled

Secure Boot enabled

Gigabit network capability

Device age less than 5 years

Devices that do not meet these standards may be declined for onboarding or scheduled for replacement.

4. Business-Class Equipment Requirement

Beyond Technology supports business-grade equipment only.

Approved Categories

Dell OptiPlex / Latitude

HP ProDesk / EliteBook

Lenovo ThinkCentre / ThinkPad

Equivalent enterprise-grade hardware

Not Supported

Consumer retail devices

Custom-built desktops without prior approval

Devices without manufacturer support or available replacement parts

5. Security & Compliance Baseline

All managed devices must:

Have current BIOS or firmware

Have BitLocker enabled when appropriate

Have Secure Boot enabled

Run approved endpoint protection

Have the Beyond Technology RMM agent installed and active

Receive Windows feature and security updates

Failure to maintain this baseline may result in limited support until compliance is restored.

6. Performance Standards

Supported devices must:

Boot within reasonable performance thresholds

Pass disk health diagnostics

Have no failing memory or motherboard errors

Support current Windows feature updates

Devices that consistently fail performance benchmarks will require replacement.

7. Peripheral & Device Support

Supported

Business-grade network printers

Devices with manufacturer-supported Windows 11 drivers

Network infrastructure meeting gigabit standards

Not Supported

Legacy USB-only printers without modern drivers

Hardware requiring unsigned or deprecated drivers

Consumer IoT devices connected to business networks

8. Lifecycle & Replacement Standards

To maintain security and performance:

Workstations

4-5 Years

Laptops

3-4 Years

Servers

Per manufacturer lifecycle

Devices outside lifecycle standards will be placed on a replacement schedule.

9. Non-Compliant Devices

Devices that do not meet these standards may:

Be excluded from proactive support

Be supported on a best-effort basis only

Be scheduled for mandatory replacement

Be subject to additional remediation fees

10. Policy Enforcement

Beyond Technology reserves the right to decline support for systems that present security, stability, or compliance risks due to outdated hardware or unsupported operating systems.


Maintaining modern, business-class equipment is a shared responsibility between Beyond Technology and the client