Well, speaking as someone who has been laptop-only for 6 or 8 years now (MacBook Pros all along), some thoughts:
1) I don't think a dock is at all necessary: when I arrive at my office, I connect my power, external monitor, Ethernet, and USB keyboard. Thanks to wifi and Bluetooth, the last two can even be optional (but I'm a little old-school). At home, I have pretty much the same setup, but I plug in an external hard drive (for TimeMachine backups) instead of the Ethernet. It takes me less than 10 seconds: quick enough that I don't even think about it. 2) I agree that automatic backups (over the net, to a server) are really important. My TimeMachine disk is just a second backup for belt-and-suspenders protection and added convenience, but any backup scheme that requires ongoing action (like connecting a hard drive) on the part of the user is really risky. 3) It's possible -- and a really good idea -- to set up full-disk encryption for both the MacBook and TimeMachine backups. With modern processors and SSDs, the performance penalty is pretty minimal. 4) Once you convert to laptop-only, you'll never go back. When I'm in my office, in meetings, on a plane or a train, or at home at 3AM dealing with a sick server, I always have my complete computing environment with me. I never have to think "oh, crap, that's on the other computer." I did do the whole remote-desktop between home and work routine for a few years before going laptop-only, and that was massively clunkier and more painful. (For example: having to drive into the office or call a colleague because the computer on my desk got wedged or went to sleep.) At least that's my 2 cents. Hope it's useful somehow.... Ian ___ Ian Crew IST-Architecture, Platforms and Integration (API) Earl Warren Hall, Second Floor University of California, Berkeley > On Apr 3, 2015, at 5:33 PM, Michelle Bautista <[email protected]> wrote: > > Hi Beth, > > Additionally, laptop users may be consider not saving files locally and using > synchronization with google drive or box for their files. This will reduce > the amount of data that is stored locally. > > -Michelle > >> On Fri, Apr 3, 2015 at 3:40 PM, Adam Grimaldi <[email protected]> wrote: >> Good afternoon Beth (and all) >> >> So, in terms of docks, I've helped a handful of people with Elgato docks, to >> great success: >> https://www.elgato.com/en/thunderbolt/thunderbolt-2-dock >> >> Of course, I'm also still a fan of just a thunderbolt display. >> http://www.apple.com/displays/ >> >> They may be expensive, but boy are they nice. >> >> In terms of your questions about theft, find my Apple, etc: >> >> Campus liability document? I do not believe so. Or at the very least, I have >> not encountered such a thing across the many laptops I've deployed across >> multiple buildings and departments. >> >> Laptop Insurance? That's entirely up to you. These things do get stolen. I >> had a client just this week have her laptop swiped off a coffee table in a >> coffee shop in SF WHILE actively working on it. I kid you not. >> >> Find My Mac & Apple IDs?: There is indeed a "Find my iPhone" feature for >> macs. It does require an Apple ID. My Zone within CSS-IT (and sorta CSS-IT >> in general) discourages a shared Apple ID. Mainly because if someone changes >> the password, it breaks ALL of them. Bad news. Instead, my Zone (and again, >> sorta CSS-IT) instead advises creating a personal Apple ID with your >> Berkeley Email. You can actually create one without a credit card too. (I >> can go into that more, if you like) From there, just login and turn it on. >> >> Other Security?: If you're feeling uneasy, I highly suggest turning on >> Filevault. Especially if you are dealing with sensitive data. When you turn >> it on, be sure to document all the passwords and such, otherwise you will be >> profoundly screwed if/when something does wrong. Still, it's built-in HDD >> encryption. >> >> I also suggest, if possible, keeping a small inventory of the apple laptops >> in your possession. Make / Model / Serial. That way if it gets stolen, you >> have something to give to the police. >> >> I hope that helps. >> >> Adam Grimaldi >> CSS-IT Zone 5 Team Lead >> Business/Tech Support Analyst 3 >> [email protected] (Best way to reach me) >> Cell: 1 (510) 612-9036 (Okay way to reach me) >> Office: 1 (510) 664-7290 (I am rarely in my office - keep that in mind) >> >> >> Campus Shared Services IT >> http://sharedservices.berkeley.edu >> https://kb.berkeley.edu/ >> >> ------------------------------------------------------------------ >> Ticket Request Options: >> 1. https://shared-services-help.berkeley.edu/ >> 2. Call 664-9000, option 1, then option 4 >> 3. Email [email protected] >> ------------------------------------------------------------------ >> >>> On Fri, Apr 3, 2015 at 3:06 PM, Baril <[email protected]> wrote: >> >>> You might want to check out this link. Great product! >>> >>> http://www.landingzone.net/ >>> >>> Best, >>> >>> Roy >>> >>> >>>> On 4/3/2015 2:58 PM, Beth Muramoto wrote: >>>> As always, please bear with the lengthy and likely extraneous explanation: >>>> >>>> >>>> We are noticing a trend among staff requesting laptops with external >>>> monitors for use as their primary computer versus the standard desktop. >>>> They are attending more meetings and instead of taking notes and >>>> transcribing them when they get back to their offices, they want to be >>>> able to type everything then and there. >>>> >>>> We don't have a budget for letting them have both a desktop and a laptop, >>>> but understand the need that the laptop would fulfill. My thoughts stray >>>> to the "good old days" of docking stations. I forgot the Apple laptop that >>>> had that available. So I guess this is really something whose time has >>>> finally come for us. >>>> >>>> However, I know that there are a LOT of things to consider like from a >>>> security standpoint, liability issues, insurance etc. >>>> >>>> I've listed the kinds of questions I'm wrestling with (and if anyone has >>>> other things I need to think about, please do mention them if I haven't >>>> considered them or have forgotten to mention them here) and I want to tap >>>> anyone who might have already gone through this kind of process and what >>>> steps did you take to ensure some of the "dangerous ground" that we'll be >>>> treading. >>>> >>>> I have considered some of the security issues such as logging into the >>>> computer both when turning on the computer as well as when it sleeps, >>>> locking them away in locked drawers or locked offices when leaving the >>>> office or use a cable lock to secure them to the desks, creating an admin >>>> account for me as IT (to control installs etc.), a standard login for the >>>> user (we already do this with the desktops to meet campus security >>>> standards), and considering the potential for someone taking the laptop >>>> home and needing VPN to access online services, >>>> >>>> Here are questions I don't have an answer to and would love to have some >>>> guidance on. >>>> >>>> Have any of you or does campus have liability document that the user has >>>> to sign for situations of loss, destruction or theft? >>>> >>>> Should we insure these laptops for replacement in case of loss, >>>> destruction or theft? >>>> >>>> Is there a way to implement Find My Mac (forgot to mention that they will >>>> be Macbook Pros) on the laptops to track lost laptops and erase data >>>> remotely? If so, would I have to use my personal Apple ID account or can I >>>> create a "departmental" one with an iCloud account that would give me this >>>> ability? >>>> >>>> >>>> This is a really big step and I want to make sure I cover all of the >>>> specific pitfalls and security measures for going this route and I realize >>>> that I'm probably not thinking about how to cover every consequence. >>>> >>>> Any help or suggestions are welcome and as always appreciated. >>>> >>>> Beth >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> *********************************************** >>>> Beth Muramoto >>>> Computer Resource Specialist >>>> Graduate School of Education >>>> University of California, Berkeley >>>> 1650 Tolman Hall >>>> Berkeley, CA 94720 >>>> Email: mailto:[email protected] >>>> Phone: (510) 643-0203 >>>> Fax: (510) 643-6239 >>>> >>>> “Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some >>>> blunders and absurdities have crept in – forget them as soon as you can. >>>> Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a >>>> spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.” >>>> -Emerson >>>> >>>> This is the essence of forgiveness. You can't change what happened but you >>>> can make sure it doesn't have the power to prevent you from being happy >>>> tomorrow. >>>> >>>> -Paul Boese >>>> >>>> “Kind words do not cost much yet they accomplish much.” >>>> >>>> -Blaise Pascal >>>> >>>> >>>> *********************************************** >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------- >>>> The following was automatically added to this message by the list server: >>>> >>>> To learn more about Micronet, including how to subscribe to or unsubscribe >>>> from its mailing list and how to find out about upcoming meetings, please >>>> visit the Micronet Web site: >>>> >>>> http://micronet.berkeley.edu >>>> >>>> Messages you send to this mailing list are public and world-viewable, and >>>> the list's archives can be browsed and searched on the Internet. This >>>> means these messages can be viewed by (among others) your bosses, >>>> prospective employers, and people who have known you in the past. >>>> >>>> ANNOUNCEMENTS: To send announcements to the Micronet list, please use the >>>> [email protected] list. >>> >>> -- >>> Roy A. Baril >>> Director of Technology >>> Graduate School of Journalism >>> University of California >>> 121 North Gate Hall >>> Berkeley, CA 94720 >>> 510-643-9215 -- Work >>> 510-643-9136 -- Fax >>> 925-352-9543 -- Cell >>> >>> >>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------- >>> The following was automatically added to this message by the list server: >>> >>> To learn more about Micronet, including how to subscribe to or unsubscribe >>> from its mailing list and how to find out about upcoming meetings, please >>> visit the Micronet Web site: >>> >>> http://micronet.berkeley.edu >>> >>> Messages you send to this mailing list are public and world-viewable, and >>> the list's archives can be browsed and searched on the Internet. This >>> means these messages can be viewed by (among others) your bosses, >>> prospective employers, and people who have known you in the past. >>> >>> ANNOUNCEMENTS: To send announcements to the Micronet list, please use the >>> [email protected] list. >> >> >> >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------- >> The following was automatically added to this message by the list server: >> >> To learn more about Micronet, including how to subscribe to or unsubscribe >> from its mailing list and how to find out about upcoming meetings, please >> visit the Micronet Web site: >> >> http://micronet.berkeley.edu >> >> Messages you send to this mailing list are public and world-viewable, and >> the list's archives can be browsed and searched on the Internet. This means >> these messages can be viewed by (among others) your bosses, prospective >> employers, and people who have known you in the past. >> >> ANNOUNCEMENTS: To send announcements to the Micronet list, please use the >> [email protected] list. > > > > -- > Michelle Bautista > Operations Manager > University of California, Berkeley > Campus Shared Services - IT > 510.295-9283 > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------- > The following was automatically added to this message by the list server: > > To learn more about Micronet, including how to subscribe to or unsubscribe > from its mailing list and how to find out about upcoming meetings, please > visit the Micronet Web site: > > http://micronet.berkeley.edu > > Messages you send to this mailing list are public and world-viewable, and the > list's archives can be browsed and searched on the Internet. This means > these messages can be viewed by (among others) your bosses, prospective > employers, and people who have known you in the past. > > ANNOUNCEMENTS: To send announcements to the Micronet list, please use the > [email protected] list.
------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following was automatically added to this message by the list server: To learn more about Micronet, including how to subscribe to or unsubscribe from its mailing list and how to find out about upcoming meetings, please visit the Micronet Web site: http://micronet.berkeley.edu Messages you send to this mailing list are public and world-viewable, and the list's archives can be browsed and searched on the Internet. This means these messages can be viewed by (among others) your bosses, prospective employers, and people who have known you in the past. ANNOUNCEMENTS: To send announcements to the Micronet list, please use the [email protected] list.
