Is it the norm to be asked to use own computer for an Inside IR35 contract?

[vetran]

I would rather use my own laptop for the various projects that I work on and I do for about 90% of customers using various VPNs however there are those that don't allow this. That is why I have an extra desk in my office that currently holds 4 customer laptops with another 2 currently in transit to me. I try not to use them too often, maybe once or twice a week so that I don't forget userids and passwords but the real pain is, is that you cannot remote into them which would make life so much easier.

Hardware KVM switch? That is what I used with my personal laptop, server (back when running a windows one locally made sense), RaspberryPI and client laptop.

It allows you to use a decent keyboard, mouse (I have big hands) https://www.trust.com/en/product/241...wireless-mouse and big screen (4k) on all the machines.

[darmstadt]

I would rather use my own laptop for the various projects that I work on and I do for about 90% of customers using various VPNs however there are those that don't allow this. That is why I have an extra desk in my office that currently holds 4 customer laptops with another 2 currently in transit to me. I try not to use them too often, maybe once or twice a week so that I don't forget userids and passwords but the real pain is, is that you cannot remote into them which would make life so much easier.

[some guy some where]

I'm not an accountant but if purchasing the laptop is required equipment for your employment and there is no private use you can claim tax relief for it on your tax return if I recall correctly (similar to uniform/tools/etc) https://www.gov.uk/tax-relief-for-em...ther-equipment

[TheDude]

If you are contracting for a bank and can't afford a laptop then you are being screwed on your day rate.

[vetran]

Don't know what rate you are charging but surely if it means not delaying by a few days or a week then you're better off just buying one?

£200 delivered

https://www.mycheaplaptop.co.uk/prod...gaAtaOEALw_wcB

Buy something nicer when the money runs in.

[vetran]

I tend to use SQL server, SSIS & SSMS so I need something that can run Visual studio SQL server together without me needing two cups of coffee while it starts up.

a recent (<6 years) i5/i7, 8-16gb of memory and an SSD will deliver this.

Passmark & tomshardware can give you an idea of relative speeds.

https://www.cpubenchmark.net/singleCompare.php

https://www.cpubenchmark.net/laptop.html

[pr1]

The end client is a bank and I will be required to install Citrix on my laptop. I would just have the usual MCAfee protection installed. Is this enough? They're saying that ordering a laptop would delay my start date and that is even if the request gets approved which apparently is highly unlikely, as agent stated that only perms get a laptop. The role is remote but quite an odd situation seeing as last time I worked with this client I was provided with a laptop!

Financial circumstances do not allow for me to spend hundreds of pounds on a new laptop

Don't know what rate you are charging but surely if it means not delaying by a few days or a week then you're better off just buying one?

[BlasterBates]

If you run Linux on a cheap laptop you wouldn't even need to spend anything on a virus scanner. The citrix desktop will be secured centrally.

[eek]

Citrix's requirements are

• Citrix recommends that user devices have at least 1 GB of RAM and a CPU with a clock speed of 1.6 GHz or higher. Use of the default deep compression codec, which is required on low-bandwidth connections, requires a more powerful CPU unless the decoding is done in hardware. For optimum performance, Citrix recommends that user devices have at least 2 GB of RAM and a dual-core CPU with a clock speed of 3 GHz or higher.
• For multi-monitor access, Citrix recommends user devices with quad-core CPUs.

System requirements | Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 7 2209

Basically it will support anything built in the last 10 years - so I'm really at a loss as to why you wouldn't just go and spend £300 on a laptop and start earning money...

And WTFH is probably right - large companies will insist on standardised machines for imaging and support purposes. If supply is limited it's going to be restricted to permanent staff only.

In my case the virtualization has advantages. It means I can have a development system but also a separate user system (rather useful given what my job involves).

[WTFH]

I work for a large company that was issuing laptops up until last year, so I think you'll find this is a trend.

Also given the global chip shortage, if they don't have a spare one knocking around they could be waiting a while for some brands/models.