Posted on Apr 14, 2020
CPT(P) Alexander W.
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I’m shopping for a new computer for personal use at home and Guard work whenever necessary. I’ll soon be commissioning through state OCS into either Signal or Ordnance. I’ve had a MacBook Pro for the past 11 years that’s been an absolute champ (I just enlisted a year ago so it’s been for mostly non military use), but I’ve been reading about issues with cac readers and AKO etc. Any advice for this 09S is appreciated.
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SGM Jeff Mccloud
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Truth be told, any $250 Windows laptop would be fine for this.
if you want to stick with Mac, buy a newer one, and a copy of Windows and install that in VMware.
And get a new CAC reader.
Pro tip: you might occasionally need to read or send an encrypted email on webmail. That is only possible with Windows Internet Explorer.
Every answer you will ever need to get set up or solve a problem on Windows, Mac or Linux can be found on militarycac.com
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LTC Jason Mackay
LTC Jason Mackay
5 y
Agree, the so what is being able to operate CAC enabled, especially in the Guard or Reserve. Save you trips to the Armory to handle 5 minute tasks like signing something.

I think a Windows platform would be less of you figuring out work arounds because the system was designed around Windows platforms. Truth in lending: I despise iOS platforms. I actually have my students keep a running log of my hatred of MACs and iOS.
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SSG Information Technology Specialist
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Honestly, you can do everything you mentioned, that you want to get accomplished on a cheap windows laptop worth about $200.

We can talk about purchasing a laptop that would be right for you, but for strictly accessing government websites, all you need to do is follow the steps in the link below to insure you have the right certificates on your system.

https://public.cyber.mil/pki-pke/end-users/getting-started/
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MSgt Frank Askins
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Unless they've changed the rules, your personal computer is not authorized for processing official military work, especially if it needs to be encrypted. I'd check with your Information Security Officer and see what their recommendations are to avoid an unpleasant experience down the road. They will be more than happy to assist you with answers.
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What is the best computer for use by an Army National Guard officer?
CPT Enrique M.
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if you still have that macbook, and you can continue using it you have 5 choices really
1) Continue to use your macbook , get a cac reader. Go the freeware route by installing certs ( you can go to https://militarycac.com/ and follow their instructions
2) Continue to use your macbook, get a cac reader. And Buy and Download thursby. ( I would say this is a better choice than dealing with certs and expiring certs as this software manages that)
3) Buy another macbook do one of the above scenarios
4) Buy another macbook and install vmware or some sort of vm so you can load windows
5) Buy a windows laptop such as a surface book or you can go cheaper with some of the netbooks out there. I suggest if you do buy a windows laptop that you invest on a PC that will give you maximum battery life.

Out of all them to make your choice it will come down to $$ , and how much time you want to spend learning a new OS.

If it was up to me, I would do number 2. Especially if your macbook is still working like a champ.
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Cadet SFC (Pre-Commission)
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I've used my mac for all the necessary branching stuff I needed to to for cadet command and to access my AKO and goArmyEd, never had any issues, its actually more secure to have a mac in my opinion, but that aside, you need to get the right certificates to authenticate the mac, its not hard theres an army website that contains them.
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CPT Enrique M.
CPT Enrique M.
5 y
never assume that a Mac is more secure than a PC ;). I can have a PC running a hardened version of linux that would be 1000X more secure than mac. But thats not the point.

I would suggest for you mac owners , that if you really want to use a Mac and don't want to fiddle with certs. I would just buy thursby for macs and call it a day.
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CW2 Electronic Warfare Technician
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Laptop or desktop?
If it's just to use Windows, Office, and cruise the internet you don't need much, even for light gaming and all the video you want - $350 to $400 will be more than enough for a laptop, $350 and you can build an amazing desktop yourself.
Laptops you are kind of stuck with what is offered, but there are very inexpensive options, however since you are buying prebuilt from Asus/Dell/HP etc it is going to have a lot of crap (bloatware) on it taking up space and slowing things down.
Building your own desktop or barebones mini PC allows you to have only what you actually want/need, not wasting money on 35 programs you won't use and other features. Building your own can sound like a crazy task - it's surpisingly super easy - each plug can only go in one spot on the motherboard. I just did it and was even able to use a hard drive from a previous computer and it booted up perfect and told it to just reinstall a clean Windows and it did - didn't have to buy a new copy of Windows and it nuked all the bloatware.
Microsoft Home Use Program provides Office 365 at a discount for servicemembers.
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CPT(P) Alexander W.
CPT(P) Alexander W.
5 y
I’m open to either desktop or laptop. Ideally I’d have a nice desktop at home and not need to bring a personal laptop to drills.
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CW2 Electronic Warfare Technician
CW2 (Join to see)
5 y
Head to newegg.com and build yourself a desktop/barebones.
Case, power supply, motherboard with intel or AMD processor slot, intel or amd processor to go with the motherboard (some come with a fan), fan if it didn't come with processor, desktop RAM (8 is plenty), hard drive, wifi card if needed. Some stuff can be used from older computers if you have em or friends wanna donate - like I mentioned with the hard drive, and then any monitor/TV you would like to hook it up to/ speakers if you want.
It's like working on a car - it all has it's place it goes into - plugs are keyed mostly.
Toughest part is picking what you want, lol. Followed by installing the OS.
Windows 10 automatically installs CAC certificates, but like SGM Jeff Mccloud said - militarycac.com has all the answers there.
I'd like to think the Guard will supply you with a laptop to use at drill.

Going this route will likely head you down the rabbit hole, as it opens the floodgates of custom PCs. I have my fairly cheaply built desktop for the family and it can handle Skyrim, so it's pretty good. Then I have a barebones I built that has all the retro gaming stuff - lakka.tv for that one, hehe. If I could do it for a laptop I would but that industry is locked down.
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SGM Jeff Mccloud
SGM Jeff Mccloud
5 y
CW2 (Join to see) - "I'd like to think the Guard will supply you with a laptop to use at drill."
I'd like to think that, too. But the Guard is only funded for one laptop per AGR and tech.
A unit can usually manage to get enough spares for the CO and 1SG, and sometimes even one or two others, but that's about it.
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CW2 Electronic Warfare Technician
CW2 (Join to see)
5 y
SGM Jeff Mccloud - That's horrible. What's worse is how the systems are becoming less and less friendly to non-DOD computers so personal laptops aren't much use either.
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C/SSgt (Pre-Commission)
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There are various choices for you but an army officer needs a compatible computer for guard work. I have a 4k monitor in my home that I bought as an army user from https://consumeratings.com/can-i-connect-a-1080p-laptop-to-a-4k-monitor/. After damaging its motherboard I want to connect it to my laptop. So I want to ask that can i connect a 1080p laptop to a 4k monitor.
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SSgt Paul Millard
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All depends on use and portability and powerneeds, if your cash flush buy a Surface Pro Laptop from Best Buy and purchase the 3 year warranty. Break it at 2 plus years and they'll replace with new.
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SFC Michael D.
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Alienware. There is no substitute.
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PFC Commissioned Officer Candidate
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- Because my Mac's been great, I'm tempted to buy another one.
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MAJ Health Services Plans, Ops, Intelligence, Security,Training
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I concur with SGM Jeff Mccloud. I enjoy using Macs. However, access to systems used by the military work much better with a Windows-based machine.
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