What Your Employees Expect From IT Equipment in 2026

The rise of AI, together with the widespread adoption of hybrid work, has changed how employees work and collaborate, setting new expectations for the reliability and performance of IT equipment. Without the right tools, performance slows, call quality suffers, productivity takes a hit, and avoidable IT tickets pile up.

As a result, HR, IT, and People Ops face growing pressure to meet employee expectations while overseeing device procurement, lifecycle management, fleet scalability, and overall IT budget constraints. The one-size-fits-all approach no longer works: to complete their day-to-day responsibilities, teams now require devices that support AI-ready, personalized workflows that are aligned with their role.

In this article, we unpack the trends redefining IT equipment needs and what employees expect from their technology in 2026.

How have employee workflows evolved in 2026

Employee workflows in 2026 have become more dynamic and distributed, with a greater reliance on device performance for everyday tasks. These changes have significantly raised expectations for the quality, speed, and reliability of workplace equipment. Let's explore the key factors behind this shift and the reasons why:

AI has transformed employee workflows

Since its introduction into mainstream use in 2023, AI has reshaped how employees get work done. Routine tasks, from drafting content to analyzing information, now happen faster and with far less manual effort, shifting how people structure their days and the tools they rely on. Here are some of the ways AI has become essential to employee workflows:

• AI is now built into everyday work: Employees now routinely use built-in AI features to write, summarize, analyze, and prepare content directly on their devices
• Roles use AI differently: Different teams rely on specialized AI tools to perform their responsibilities (e.g. ,engineers use GitHub Copilot, designers rely on tools like Adobe Firefly or Figma AI, while sales/support teams leverage insights from Gong or Zendesk)
• AI is now part of core decision-making: Employees increasingly use AI to surface insights, interpret data, and support faster, more informed decisions across teams
• AI shapes how work is planned and prioritized: With more and more tasks automated, employees can focus on higher-impact work, shifting expectations around productivity and responsiveness

∫### Hybrid and remote work as the new norm

Another factor that has significantly impacted employee workflow needs is the style of work. Hybrid and remote work have become widespread and changed where and how employees operate. This means devices must perform just as well outside the office as they do inside it, without compromising reliability or ease of use. Here is how distributed work has shaped workflow needs:

• Work happens across multiple locations: Employees switch between home, office, and mobile setups, creating more varied and unpredictable workflow patterns
• Virtual collaboration is constant: Meetings, check-ins, and teamwork now happen primarily through video and digital tools rather than in-person interactions
• Asynchronous work has increased: Teams distributed across time zones rely on written updates, recordings, and shared documents to stay aligned
• Context switching is more frequent: Employees juggle different tools, environments, and responsibilities throughout the day
• Home and office environments require different routines: Employees adapt their workflows depending on where they work and what the day demands

These changes mean that HR, IT, and People Ops teams must prioritize helping employees work flexibly without sacrificing productivity and collaboration.

Read also: 5 Ways to Reduce IT Costs in 2026

Role-specific devices are replacing one-size-fits-all setups

As work becomes more specialized, providing everyone with the same equipment no longer supports how different teams operate. Each role follows its own workflow patterns, tools, and performance demands, and the technology employees use must reflect those differences. Here is why role-specific setups have become essential:

• Workflows vary across roles: Some roles require strong processing power (engineers), others need precise visual output (designers), and many depend on reliable communication tools (sales and support)
• Different teams use different toolsets: Technical, creative, and customer-facing roles all depend on distinct software and performance requirements
• The pace and structure of work differ: Some roles multitask heavily, others work in long, focused blocks, with many switching contexts throughout the day
• Certain workflows require specific peripherals or setups: Creative work may need high-resolution displays, while customer-facing roles depend on webcams for reliable audio and video

Ultimately, while convenient to manage, one-size-fits-all equipment simply no longer fits the way teams operate.

Read also: How to Choose IT Equipment for Any Role (Without Being a Tech Expert).

Security needs are more complex and global

As organizations hire across more regions, security has become woven into everyday work. Employees move between locations, networks, and devices more frequently, and their workflows need protection that does not affect their work. This means:

• Workflows must stay uninterrupted: Employees switch between tasks, apps, and devices quickly, and security cannot break their flow
• Work involves frequent access across tools: Employees navigate multiple systems during the day, which adds more security touchpoints to their workflow
• Collaboration spans multiple regions: Distributed teams share files and information across borders, creating workflows that must remain protected across jurisdictions
• Workflows operate in a dynamic risk environment: Security threats shift quickly, so protection must adapt continuously without slowing employees down

With evolving security threats and a workforce that’s increasingly mobile, HR, IT, and People Ops must ensure strong protection without compromising employees’ ability to work efficiently across locations.

Find out more with: Cybersecurity Frameworks: Top 5 Frameworks to Know in 2026

How have employee equipment expectations changed in 2026

So, what do these changes mean for employee expectations? Employees now look for equipment that can handle faster workflows, support AI tools, and perform reliably and securely across different work environments. Here are the core needs IT equipment must meet to keep employees productive:

• Devices that support AI-driven work: Employees expect laptops that can run AI tools efficiently, handle complex workloads locally, and maintain consistent performance throughout the day
• Performance that keeps pace with modern workflows: Multitasking, switching between applications, and working across environments requires devices to be fast and responsive
• Portability and all-day battery life: With work happening across locations, employees expect lightweight devices that remain productive for long periods without frequent charging
• Role-aligned performance and capabilities: Different teams rely on different tools and workflows, and employees expect devices that match the specific demands of their role: whether that's in engineering, design, sales, operations, or leadership
• A friction-free setup and daily experience: Employees expect quick onboarding, minimal configuration, and stable day-to-day performance without unnecessary interruptions
• Peripherals that support hybrid collaboration: Quality cameras, microphones, monitors, and ergonomic accessories are considered essential for virtual communication and long-term well-being
• Security that stays in the background: Protection must operate quietly and consistently, without repeated authentication loops or connectivity disruptions

Find out about the best IT accessories for boosting employee productivity.

How expectations have changed in 2026

The table below gives a high-level view of how employee equipment expectations have evolved between 2020 and 2026, the impact of not meeting those expectations, and the reasons for each change:

Download our free IT policy template to control costs when equipping distributed teams.

How IT, HR, and People Ops can meet 2026 expectations

With technological and workplace shifts accelerating, meeting the equipment needs of a modern workforce requires coordinated action across IT, HR, and People Ops. Here are the core actions that can help you keep pace with 2026 expectations:

• Build role-specific device bundles: Align device specifications with the actual workflows of engineering, design, sales, support, and leadership teams
• Offer choice within a curated catalogue: Give employees a small set of supported devices so they can select what suits their work style without creating support sprawl
• Prioritize AI-ready procurement: Select devices designed to run AI features efficiently and remain capable as tools evolve
• Automate provisioning and device management: Use remote setup, updates, and monitoring to reduce manual effort and speed up global onboarding
• Put fast swap and repair processes in place: Ensure employees can quickly replace or repair equipment to avoid downtime and productivity loss
• Standardize home-office support: Provide consistent equipment kits or stipends to help employees create ergonomic, productive workspaces regardless of location

Looking to establish a clear and fair device strategy? Read: How to Create a Fair Laptop Fresh Policy.

Your 2026 equipment readiness checklist (for HR, IT, and People Ops)

Use this checklist to evaluate whether your organization’s equipment strategy meets modern workflow needs:

Find out about the top IT procurement challenges faced by employers and how to solve them.

Meeting rising employee expectations with Deel IT

Equipment is no longer just a tool: it’s a competitive advantage. However, keeping pace with security, lifecycle, and procurement demands can easily become a burden for your HR, IT, and People Ops teams—but that doesn't have to be the case.

Deel IT consolidates your entire device workflow into one platform, from configuration to delivery and retrieval. It streamlines procurement oversight, security, and lifecycle tracking so employees always have the tools they need.

Here is what that means:

• Procure equipment that meets modern workflow needs: Choose top-quality, future-proof equipment from a 240+ item catalogue that aligns with your organization’s performance, security, and budget needs
• Deliver IT equipment globally: Ship laptops and accessories to employees in 130+ countries worldwide, with customs, taxes, and local logistics fully handled
• Complete oversight of your device fleet: Track device status, ownership, warranties, and refresh cycles in one unified view, simplifying management and reducing surprises
• Fast repairs and replacements for distributed teams: Manage repairs and replacements through local partners to reduce downtime and keep employees working smoothly
• Streamlined offboarding: Worry-free data erasure, device retrieval, and refurbishment, ensuring assets stay secure and accounted for

Book a demo to explore Deel IT.