If you work remotely or from home on a regular basis then you should ensure that you have a space that is large enough and private, a suitable work surface and chair, adequate and adjustable lighting, and is free from noise and other distraction. You will also need a safe provision of power sockets, and a broadband internet connection.
Recommended PC set up
We recommend that you use a managed staff PC or managed Mac for all University work. The table below shows a number of configurations that are available. Your department should purchase the equipment required for your primary place of work. This list is a guide, and local arrangements may include variations of these options.
Office | Remote | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
On-site | A desktop or laptop (to suit the needs of your role) with an external screen, webcam and headset | Not required | A laptop may suit staff in roles that work in different locations through the day. Consider a separate keyboard and mouse | |
Occasional remote | A desktop or laptop (to suit the needs of your role) with an external screen, webcam and headset | A pool laptop from your department, or use the remote desktop service from a secure personal computer at home | Using a pool laptop without an external screen is only suitable for occasional periods of remote working. Consider the regular remote options if this becomes a frequent arrangement | |
Regular remote (1) | A hot desk with webcam and headset | A desktop, screen, webcam and headset configured for working at home | Primary place of work is remote / home. When working on-site a hot desk arrangement is used. Department-supplied desktop and screen must not be used for personal purposes or shared with other household members | |
Regular remote (2) | A laptop plugged into a hot desk dock with external screen, webcam and headset | The same laptop plugged into a dock with external screen, webcam and headset | Primary place of work can be remote / home or the office. Department should normally purchase the dock and screen, however these must not be used for personal purposes or shared with other household members | |
Mainly remote | Same as for regular remote | Same as for regular remote | Same as for regular remote |
Alternative PC set up
We strongly advise against using your own equipment regularly for work purposes due to the security and privacy requirements that you become responsible for. Domestic-grade equipment may lack hardware features/functions, software features/functions and supplier support that provide important security assurances in business-grade equipment. If there are imperative reasons for doing this then you should:
- Ensure that your device supports drive encryption and has this enabled
- Only use your device while it is manufacturer-supported (this typically means within the warranty period, which may only be 1 year unless you purchased an extended warranty)
- Configure your device and manage it effectively in accordance with Information Security guidance to protect your PC
- Connect to the remote desktop service to work - do not download or process University work directly on your personal device
Purchasing advice
UAS and GLAM departments should purchase from our list of available PC hardware. The page includes current desktop, laptop and screen models, plus recommendations for webcams, headsets and other peripherals.
Departments elsewhere in the University will generally have local purchasing standards, either based on the same standard configurations or options from other suppliers - please consult your local IT team for guidance.
If you are seeking advice on purchasing IT equipment for personal use then we recommend using a well-reputed advisory service such as Which!, or speak to a sales advisor at your local IT outlet. Your purchase should meet your personal / home IT needs. Your department should provide you with separate equipment if required for remote / home working. A key exception is where you have a suitable external screen that you have purchased yourself, in which case it is normally OK to connect your department-supplied laptop or desktop to it. You may need to purchase a specific cable or convertor to do this: check your screen's manual to find the supported connections (usually one or both of HDMI or DisplayPort), then contact IT support with this and the asset number of your PC for advice.