Reasonable number of computers?

[northernladuk]

+1 This is exactly how I stock my office. But then I am in Infrastructure so I need quite a lot of kit turnover.

I am not in infrastructure but this doesn't make sense to me so just wait to see what an HMRC pen pusher will have to say to this.

[russell]

If you are a developer then you need an iPad and iPhone etc if you fancy developing on these devices, not hard to justify. If they ask just say the app failed and you aborted the project? Jobsaguddin!

[NotAllThere]

What elements of your business could be carried out on an i-pad that couldn't be carried out on a laptop?

Only an issue if you have both. If you are an Apple app developer, then you must have some kind of apple hardware. They're fussy like that.

[bobspud]

I am not in infrastructure but this doesn't make sense to me so just wait to see what an HMRC pen pusher will have to say to this.

I Couldn't give an fcsk what their position is. I run a business. Its my choice how I provide a service to my clients and what that offering is. I have an office, range of portable equipement and a test rig platform and software library full of software that I need to build prototypes on behalf of clients. Until last year I even had a Solaris wanboot server that I could use to build client servers from anywhere in the world... I used to use it to build my jumpstart servers on new sites.

But the clincher is that I also have personal equipment for porn and time waisting. My equipement bought with my money... not my company...

So actually if HMRC were stupid enough to posture I could go toe to toe my with my business laptop vs their government provided dell and probably find more non work related tulip on theirs... I don't need to hold photo/films/music on my work machines that why I have play stations and a media server..

Works work...

[Mr.Whippy]

Until last year I even had a Solaris wanboot server that I could use to build client servers from anywhere in the world...

Clients allowed you to build servers for them using your own remote build servers?!?!

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

Only an issue if you have both. If you are an Apple app developer, then you must have some kind of apple hardware. They're fussy like that.

That's what I figured and the OP has 2 laptops and an i-pad - got to agree with the chaps that said no way

[Support Monkey]

That's what I figured and the OP has 2 laptops and an i-pad - got to agree with the chaps that said no way

A laptop and an ipad are 2 very different things yes to a degree they can do similar things but as someone said the ipad is more portable for trains and if your presenting to clients and clearly if your in the app development world you can justify one, its like saying why do you need an I-phone when you can answer calls on your Nokia, as i said before currently there seen as a bit of a toy but the amount that i have seen and the uses people are finding for them i reckon within the next couple of years they will be an esential business tool in addition to all your other hardware

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

A laptop and an ipad are 2 very different things yes to a degree they can do similar things but as someone said the ipad is more portable for trains and if your presenting to clients and clearly if your in the app development world you can justify one, its like saying why do you need an I-phone when you can answer calls on your Nokia, as i said before currently there seen as a bit of a toy but the amount that i have seen and the uses people are finding for them i reckon within the next couple of years they will be an esential business tool in addition to all your other hardware

Sorry SM just MHO but I cannot see HMR&C wearing this as an argument - unless you cannot possibly run your business without the things that can only be done on an i-pad and also without the things that can only be done on a laptop you won't meet the wholly and exclusively requirement. I certainly cannot see any situation where you could justify 2 laptops and and i-pad as the OP was suggesting.

[northernladuk]

A laptop and an ipad are 2 very different things yes to a degree they can do similar things but as someone said the ipad is more portable for trains and if your presenting to clients and clearly if your in the app development world you can justify one, its like saying why do you need an I-phone when you can answer calls on your Nokia, as i said before currently there seen as a bit of a toy but the amount that i have seen and the uses people are finding for them i reckon within the next couple of years they will be an esential business tool in addition to all your other hardware

Mac Book Air

Height: 0.11-0.68 inch
Width: 11.8 inches
Depth: 7.56 inches
Weight: 1.08 kg

iPad
Depth: 0.37 inches
Height: 9.50 inches
Width: 7.31 inches
Weight: 652 g

I would hardly class the Ipad as more portable than a Mac Book Air. It is 2 inches smaller and 400g lighter than the mac book air and you don't have to open a lid. Hardly justification that.

You make an excellent point on the nokia v iphone which is why iphones were not allowed until earlier this year and it is only market pressure and trend that has forced this change. There are not many decent phones that are not smart phones so they had to cave. Ipad doesn't combine any already useful technology. It is a unit on it's own. I believe it will, for a very long time, still stay on only justifiable on business use only.

[NotAllThere]

"Wholly and exclusively" applies to expenses incurred carrying out the duties of employment, not to assets purchased by (or on behalf) of the company.