Taking Your Office Computer Home

Owned by Sean Stockburger (Unlicensed)
Last updated: Apr 14, 2020 by Charlie Walentiny (Deactivated)
2 min read

If you will be working from home for an extended period of time, consider taking your office computer home with you. If it is just specialized software you need to access, Remote Desktop is an option for connecting to a Windows computer in your office. Taking your computer home with you may be the better option if you do not have a desktop computer in your home, or if your office computer runs macOS with specialized software.

The following checklist will help you prepare to take your computer home.

  • Make sure you have a desk at home that is close to your internet modem/router. Most network cables are 6 feet long, but we can provide longer cables if necessary. You will also need available power outlets (one for the computer, and additional outlets for each display).

    • Most Windows desktop computers do not have wireless network (WiFi) capability.

    • iMacs and laptops do have built-in WiFi.

  • You need a comfortable chair that is adjustable and allows you to maintain an ergonomic position. Consider taking home your office chair if you do not have your own adjustable chair. Review the Tips for Healthy Teleworking from Environmental Health and Safety.

  • Take photos and/or notes of where devices/cables are plugged into your computer so you can easily reconnect things at home.

  • If you have multiple monitor displays you can take all of them home, or just one if you have limited desktop space. You may also consider taking home peripherals like printers, scanners, speakers, and headsets. Talk to your tech support staff if you have any questions.

  • Review this checklist to find out if you need to use VPN to access services from home.

Additional considerations for staff

  • Ask your supervisor for approval to take your computer and other equipment home. Provide them with a list of all items you intend to take home with you (e.g., desktop computer and monitors, desk chair, scanner, headset).

  • If you need to connect to some types of administrative services (ODBC connections, FTP, SSH) you may want to check with the ATUS Help Desk or your department’s technical support staff first to make sure you are able to access these tools remotely. Most university owned computers will be easy to connect at home, but a few may need minor configuration changes.

If you have specific questions or would like technical assistance, please contact the Help Desk at 360-650-3333 or by using the link at the bottom of this page to submit a help request.