I am looking to purchase a computer to do all of my "Army Stuff" ie. DTMS, ITRS, SSD, NCOERS etc. and I have only ever used Macs. Any advice

MSG (Join to see) - I would look for any desktop running Windows 7. I'm personally a fan of Hewlett-Packard (HP). Windows 10 requires a bit more work to get working with CAC cards. I've seen some desktops with built-in CAC/PIV readers in the front. However, USB readers can be bought at most PXs as well as Wal-Mart, Best Buy, etc.

If your CAC/PIV is an Oberthur ID One (found above the Magnetic Strip), ActivClient isn't required on Windows 7. Once you have a desktop and card reader, http://militarycac.com is a great place for getting the card reader to work and includes step-by-step guides on configuring Internet Explorer for CAC-Enabled websites as well as downloading and installing ActivClient and the DOD Certificates. AKO, ALMS, and some others work well out of the box. Enterprise Email and a few others require some tinkering, but MilitaryCAC can walk you clean through it.

If there's any questions you have, please feel free to ask. I've spent some good time getting my home PC working. I use Windows 7 Ultimate and an IOGear GSR202 CAC Reader.

Hope this helps!

Thank you very much, this helps me a lot. As far as access to things like SSD, DTS, DTMS and all that stuff is it safe to say that as long as I get my cac card certificates squared away I will be good to go?

MSG (Join to see) - That is correct. I'm doing SSD1 from home currently. This should allow you access to nearly everything that requires CAC, provided it IS NOT Classified Information. I remember seeing somewhere that home access is restricted to Unclassified/FOUO only. But SSD, DTS, DTMS, and NCOERS should all be accessible.

If you have any other questions about PC choice, or getting anything to work once you have your PC, feel free to contact me over RP or E-Email.

Thank you!