New job... Can't afford required laptop!

JackInABox_2

So I've finally got a job! After being out of work for around 3 years after being diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, struggling to get medication right, having quite a few interventions by CRISIS teams and so on...

In one week I had multiple job offers; but surprising picked the least paying one - it still pays pretty well but there is quite a pay difference between it and the other offers. Why did I choose it then? Because it looks brilliant, a young and enthusiastic team and it looks quite exciting..!

However, I may have hit a major stumbling block. It's a start up in a lovely setting... But everyone is using personal laptops. There are only around 5 people in the team and I'm rather embarrassed that I can't afford one before I start..

As its so small there is no discreet way to ask for help about it; I don't want to take liberties whilst I'm on a probationary period and Im just worried and embarrassed about the whole situation to be quite honest - as daft as it sounds.

There is no one i can really turn too and my finances are such that borrowing isn't an option! In the past I worked in a setting where I could work from home; thus used a desktop system. All my portfolio work has been done on this system too - I've never really had a need for a portable one.

I'm just about going to be able to cover travel costs, my usual bills and other commitments this month - let alone the price of a new laptop. I expect the environment I work in will predominantly be macs too - which are far from cheap, and after a few months I -may- consider a refurbished one as I don't think I will ever justify £1000+ on a laptop! (especially having worked at an apple repair center )

The frustrating thing is - this job gives me the ability to finally break even within around 2 months; after a long time incrementally fighting the debt there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

However, as usual there is one final barrier to overcome and it's adding to the usual new-job nerves!

Any advice for me?!

Also, I should probably add - after doing some reading around - it appears this is standard practice in the industry I'm going to be working in!

Sharon87

What kind of work is it? will you be able to get away with a netbook instead? Or is there a way you can work without it and finish up any bits on your desktop PC?

I used my laptop for work use and it's a nightmare to carry round, because I needed to buy a carrier for it and make sure it doesn't get bumped around too much. More wear and tear happens and if you have an expensive one, it's best insuring it against theft or loss when taking it out the house.

When you can afford to spend some money consider a cheap one, it will do for now, macs are overrated in my opinion, you can do the same job pretty much on a PC than a mac, unless there's specific software not available on the PC like certain editing software. If anyone questions why you don't have one, just say you have a desktop pc and that you can't afford right now to get a laptop, and if it's your boss asking, they may be inclined to help, you never know!

Good luck

EmmaHerts

Hi Jack- you can get second-hand laptops pretty cheaply. Also- staff would normally be given a work laptop to use if a requirement for the job!

Ah, I just remembered about this - http://www.getonlineathome.org/

maninthestreet

Why is you employer not providing you with a laptop if it's required for the job you are doing?

Sambucus_Nigra

Have you already started there?

Was it in the requirements for the job to have your own mac?

Don't go buying one yet, one of the others might have one you can borrow for the time being...but to be honest if it's graphic design and a start up then I'd expect people to want to use their own macs - so just hang on in there for a bit.

closed

not your problem, if the job requires you to use a laptop, the employer buys them.

JethroUK

I have to use several computers/ laptops and work from home on my desktop and I can say Google Drive is a brilliant way to store/sync your files across computers and it very fast

you can often get a free laptop if you sign up to mobile internet account

might get you off the ground

spacey2012

Using your own equipment for work shows a poor business plan on behalf of the employer, tax deductible items such as transport, computers are bread and butter costs.
To ask these to be provided, is making the employee subsidise your business from their own pocket.

Uncertain

Much as I love Macs, I would agree with the above comments.

Unless you do professional graphics or imaging most office tasks are pretty undemanding on computer power. A years old laptop will happily do most office tasks.

If you need anything more specialised work should provide it.

Reggie_Rebel

The OP's original post suggests that it's some sort of design role where a Mac would be used.

It would be normal for work to provide you with the tools needed, could it be that either
a - the current staff have work laptops but take them home if they have work in the evening
b - they are all stakeholders in the business and as such 'own' the company equipment

If you had been expected to provide your own laptop then I would have thought this would have been pointed out at interview.

jobbingmusician

I'm not getting into the discussion about whether the employer should provide a lappy. If you need one, you need one. You are best placed to judge.

Hmmm, not sure about getonlineathome. The computers may be acceptable, but the 3 dongle deal is EXPENSIVE! (which makes me worry how good the computers are).

How about something like http://www.bigpockets.co.uk/product.php?title=Dell-D610-Used-Laptop---Centrino-1.73Ghz---2GB-RAM---40GB---CD-RW/DVD-ROM----Wi-Fi---XP-Pro&product=SOLV735 Reasonable spec, and if the computer looks a bit scruffy, so much the better - it makes you look like a serious laptop user!

Does the idea of finding £100, rather than £1000, make it any more possible for you?

(Re dongles - if you are going to need one, look at Samba mobile )