Laptop & Desktop PCs - Ownership, Purchasing and Hardware Recommendations

Minimum Hardware Specifications

• All laptop and desktop PCs to be used with University and CSCS systems and services, must meet a minimum hardware level

• This is so that they are able to run University systems and remain safe and secure.

• Details of these hardware levels can be found below.

Windows laptops and desktop PCs

• See here - Windows Devices - Recommendations & Minimum Hardware Threshold

macOS laptops and desktop PCs

• See here - Macs Devices - Recommendations & Minimum Hardware Threshold

Ubuntu/Linux laptop and desktop PCs

• See here - Linux Devices - Recommendations & Minimum Hardware Threshold

Peripherals, eg. Monitors, Docking Stations etc.

• We also have some recommendations for equipment like monitors, docking stations that we know will work with University laptop and desktop PC - see here Hardware Peripherals for Windows, macOS & Linux - Recommendations

Ordering University Managed Desktop (UMD) laptops and desktop PCs

• Here is also a guide on who in your department can order a University Managed Device directly from approved University suppliers - How to Purchase UMD Laptops and/or Desktops - Single-User & Shared-User

Device Ownership

University Owned Devices

• All devices purchased and provided under the CSCS Cyber Incident 2024/2025, will be considered the property of the department & the University.

• All devices purchased by a department, through a grant or by using a University credit card, will be considered the property of the department & the University.

• The department will be responsible for reclaiming the device when a person leaves the University, as they must be returned to your department & the University.

• CSCS will maintain an asset register of devices, so the department/device owner must notify CSCS if the device is reallocated, lost, stolen or disposed of.

• The department is responsible for replacing the device once it has reached end-of-life, which can be defined as:

  • When the hardware is broken & beyond economic repair.

  • When the device is unable to run an operating system that is still in support.

Personally Owned Devices

• Only devices purchased through a person’s own personal money and not through a grant or University fund, is defined as a “personal device” or a BYOD (Bring Your own Device) computer.

• Prior to 2025, it has been historically acceptable to use a personal device, however, as the University strengthens its cybersecurity measures overtime, these devices will face increasing restrictions on accessing University data and systems (e.g. MS Teams, Email, SharePoint, OneDrive, VPN, HR systems etc).

• We have therefore started the transition away from using personal devices/BYOD computers in January 2025 & under the CSCS Cyber Incident time-limited funding was available to replace personal devices.