Provide my own laptop?

30 Comments

1. Barb HansenFebruary 21,2025 at 4:59AM UTC

   I've worked for a few companies where I had to provide my own laptop—mostly startups, which is understandable.

   However, one surprising exception was a large telecom with nearly 100K employees. In that case, IT was so backed up due to rapid hiring that new employees had to use their personal laptops temporarily until corporate devices were issued. I ended up using my personal laptop for a few weeks, but everything was stored in the company’s cloud—nothing was saved locally.

   If an established company (not a startup) asked me to use my personal laptop, I would make it clear that:

   --The hardware belongs to me, and I would not surrender it for any audits, including potential legal reviews.

   --I would not install or grant access to any corporate monitoring software.

   -- They would have to buy a license for any software that I had to use (I'm not using my personal Microsoft 365 account for work)

   --I would only use my personal laptop if all necessary work tools were cloud-based and all work-related documents could be stored securely in the cloud.

   --I would not guarantee any level of cybersecurity beyond basic antivirus protection.

   And I would want to know when they woud be providing a corporate laptop.

   This kind of policy is a orange maybe tan flag for me, and I’d want to know why they won't provide a corporate laptop considering all of the risks to them by having employees use their personal laptops for work.

2. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistFebruary 21,2025 at 5:26AM UTC

   I'm shocked that an established company would ALLOW you to use your personal laptop. Most corporate IT security does not allow that. And at Senior Director level? That seems weird. IF you have to provide your own computer, I would buy another laptop - I agree with keeping work and personal separate.

3. AnonymousFebruary 21,2025 at 2:00PM UTC

   I agree! Ask if they offer any kind of stipend for purchasing a laptop that would be for company use only. If not, that may be a red flag...

4. AnonymousFebruary 21,2025 at 5:00PM UTC

   I totally agree. Many companies will place tracking software on laptops used for business, and there is no way I would want an employer to see what I do in my private life.

5. C. GarrabrantFebruary 21,2025 at 2:11PM UTC

   Red Flag right there!

6. AnonymousFebruary 21,2025 at 2:38PM UTC

   That is so unprofessional. They may not be as established as you think. I would expect then to change your status to a contractor.

   This is fishy.

7. AnonymousFebruary 21,2025 at 4:17PM UTC

   Learn more, what expenses will they cover, would you be enough to purchase a new one for yourself that would only be work used? It's a definite risk.

8. AnonymousFebruary 21,2025 at 4:58PM UTC

   I can see two solutions to your dilemma. Either stand your ground and insist on them providing you with a computer—otherwise, it is a hard "no" to a job offer—or purchase a separate laptop you only use for work.

9. Kimberly McFebruary 21,2025 at 7:41PM UTC

   Nope nope nope. That means they can monitor what you do on your own computer. This is something that would be a hard no for me.

10. AnonymousFebruary 21,2025 at 7:53PM UTC

    Yes, and no. I've used my personal computer for work and signed in via a 2-way authentication software. It's used only to access their network (not yours). But you can be tracked via an IP. Personally, my belief is employers should provide all the tools to do your job. You can also state that you prefer to use company assigned tools, such as a laptop or phone, and if not, then I would ask for a stipend to purchase the laptop.

11. AnonymousFebruary 21,2025 at 9:11PM UTC

    Seems so strange because at a Senior Director level you would have access and work on quite a bit of confidential info, IP and trade secrets. Why risk it?

    Something doesn't sound right unless this is a small private company that really isn't as "established " as you believe. This sounds so nickel and dime.

12. MCOhioFebruary 22,2025 at 1:58PM UTC

    I just started at a company with a BYOD (bring your own device) program. They let all employees get their own laptop, and then have you install their software that has virus protection and securities. We deal with confidential data, and have to log in with a non-saved password and fingerprint every day to get into email and chat.

    It was weird to me at first, I've never had to bring my own laptop! But it's a remote first company, and IT is several time zones away. They provided all the specifications my computer needed to have. They also give a generous stipend for our computer, phone, and internet, so after several months I recouped the money I was out buying a new business laptop. I did have to upgrade my internet speed and phone plan, but the monthly stipend more than covers for the additional expense.

13. fduntvFebruary 22,2025 at 2:06PM UTC

    Ask if they will provide you virtual desktop application that you will need to login to. That way, your personal data and their company data is separated.

14. Erica NicholasFebruary 22,2025 at 2:39PM UTC

    I interviewed for a company that wanted this. They told me if I was still with the company after a year, they'd give me a computer then. Certainly didn't make me feel like they were planning a long term fit so I backed out.

15. misskelleypFebruary 22,2025 at 6:12PM UTC

    I agree that is VERY weird. As an HR person, I absolutely keep work and personal separate. What happens when you have an issue and need help from IT? They can then poke around in the personal data on your PERSONAL laptop. Just NO. Seems borderline unethical for a company to ask for this. Do they just not want to buy laptops?

16. Vivian LeeFebruary 22,2025 at 7:45PM UTC

    I’m surprised seeing this happen today with a requirement to use personal electronics for work.

    When I started my first full-time job in 2005, I became surprised to learn after the fact I was supposed to have a personal cell phone as the job function was on-call 24/7. There was no cell phone allowance, expensing company calls received on the personal cell phone, nor company issued phone. There was no further negotiation as I already accepted the offer, despite learning after the fact about this surprise.

    As I couldn’t afford a cell phone, I used my family’s emergency cell phone (which we would take with us when using the family car). Ended up losing money on the job with the cell phone bill from work calls and eventually getting my own cell phone.

17. AnonymousFebruary 23,2025 at 2:20PM UTC

    This is the weirdest thing I’ve ever heard of.

    There is *no way* any institutional IT would want to service and maintain random unsecured laptops.

    If I were you, I’d purchase a dedicated laptop and then inquire with the company and/or a tax professional about a reimbursement or claiming it as a business deduction.

18. BarbaraFebruary 23,2025 at 7:05PM UTC

    It also puts their date at risk. Are you sure you are dealing with a real company?

19. AnonymousFebruary 24,2025 at 7:44AM UTC

    If this company isn't willing to provide a laptop to a Senior Director, can you imagine how little they provide employees with lower level roles? I agree with the others who suggested either obtaining a second personal laptop just for your professional work, or at least a virtual desktop application. My first reaction to their request is that they must not be in very strong financial condition if they can't even supply a Senior Director with a laptop. Sheesh already. If/when you leave the company, they usually retain the privilege to remove their software and data from your personal device and cannot guarantee your own data won't be accidentally deleted as well.

20. Lauren SimsFebruary 24,2025 at 1:17PM UTC

    Trust your gut! I had a nightmare experience with AITech Startup in India, who was launching their product in the US. I was hired as a key leadership role for the US team. No laptop no problem or so I thought. For the sake of it being a startup I got a separate laptop.

    They hacked into it and tried to get into my personal email, credit cards, finance accounts and iPhone too. How? Through Google workspace accounts and Google Docs. Don't do it!!

21. AnonymousFebruary 24,2025 at 1:34PM UTC

    Just say NO !!! And run

    If a company does not have enough budget to protect you and their data or ability to afford they aren’t serious

    You deserve better

22. Jen AlbaneseFebruary 24,2025 at 2:52PM UTC

    This sounds incredibly suspicious. I would proceed with extreme caution, if at all.

23. Dawn McDonnellFebruary 24,2025 at 3:00PM UTC

    Spot on. Hmmmm “ ask “ if they offer an expense acct or reimbursement for laptop and- phone “ if not,

    Keep looking or if you feel you’re desperate and cannot find something else . Invest in a new laptop & phone just for biz or get a separate line on Google phone just for biz. Absolutely not wise to mix biz with personal for hacking, data, & legal reasons. Do your due diligence and find out what the policies are thru Human Redources and other people on the team or in that office .

24. AnonymousFebruary 24,2025 at 4:01PM UTC

    I once was hired onto a major company that asked me to use my personal cell phone for work. In orientation it was needed to even log onto their laptop that they did provide. I told them I did not own a cell phone and that they should provide one for me if this was a requirement. They did. Problem solved. Oh and I work in HR...

    Let them know that you do not own one...they should be willing to lease or purchase one for you. Additionally in some states for example California, if a company has you use your own equipment they must pay for for costs of use.

25. AnonymousFebruary 24,2025 at 4:14PM UTC

    I have worked in IT for the past 30 years and this was never allowed.

26. Ellen Smith FaganFebruary 27,2025 at 6:03PM UTC

    You are RIGHT - jobs are not so scarce that you should bend to the idea of using your personal computer for your business tech needs..

27. Aliza Bernstein (xWF)March 3,2025 at 9:42AM UTC

    Very strange - most companies would want a separation of work and private life on their computer environments, least of all proprietary information from their end. Did you ask why they won't/can't give you a laptop?

28. AnonymousMarch 4,2025 at 12:59AM UTC

    I might be the unicorn in this thread. If this is a corporate company, I would say no. I'm sure they have the budget. Sadly, I work for a non-profit, who's compensation is even below the market rate for non-profit. For most of us who are in the administrative/ management use our personal computers (which runs faster than the limited company provided laptops) & we log onto company servers. The company has a policy for not compensating for equipment. Why people stay? Some work for the mission to help those in need. Some have their personal reasons, while others are waiting for their breakthrough to other opportunities. So to me, this is not unheard of.

29. VielayoJuly 18,2025 at 11:25AM UTC
    In my experience, established companies usually provide secure, company-managed devices to protect both the employee and the organization. Using your personal laptop blurs too many lines, data privacy, legal exposure, and even the risk of IT accessing personal files. I’d push back and clarify their reasoning. Sometimes startups do this to cut costs, but for a senior role, it feels like a red flag. Maybe ask about a stipend or reimbursement. I once had a similar issue and reached out to raylo customer service when leasing a laptop, which made things easier.
30. Alex AlexeeevOctober 21,2025 at 5:24AM UTC

    You raise good points about device security. I had a similar situation but approached it differently - built my own high-performance machine for both work and personal use. The key is having reliable components, especially the power supply which many people overlook. I recently upgraded following the guide at https://seasonic.com/insights/seasonic-psu-for-gaming-pcs/ and it made a huge difference in system stability. For remote work, having a powerful personal setup can actually be an advantage - you control the hardware, can upgrade as needed, and aren't limited by corporate IT restrictions. Plus if you're doing any development or data analysis, gaming-grade components handle heavy workloads beautifully