The essential IT software and equipment you need when working from home
With working from home becoming the new normal due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s never been
more important to ensure you and your business has the essential IT equipment and software.
For employees to continue working productively and proactively during lockdown, businesses must
be prepared to offer the same level of support they would in the office. We’ve put together a handy
guide to some of the most essential equipment you’ll need when working from home.
Equipment
A computer
First up, you will need a computer, which can either be a laptop or desktop, depending on your
requirements. There are advantages and disadvantages with both, but if you are looking for
something portable, a laptop is probably the best choice. However, if price is an issue, desktop
computers are usually cheaper and easier to update.
If you opt for a laptop, you need to decide which type would work best for you. Laptops come in
many shapes and sizes, from the traditional hinged ones, to convertibles that have detachable
keyboards. For the best value, traditional laptops are preferable and should feature a good quality
trackpad, keyboard, be 9th or 10th generation Intel i5 or i7 processor, have a good-sized hard drive
and a minimum of 4GB RAM.
However, if you decide to use a desktop computer, you’ll need to choose from an all-in-one device
that has the computer built into the monitor, like an Apple iMac, or a tower with external monitors.
Similar to a laptop, your desktop should be a 9th or 10th generation Intel i5 or i7, AMD’s Ryzen 5
2500 or at the very least Intel’s i3, with a good hard drive and a minimum RAM of 4GB.
Extra monitor
When working from a desktop, you’ll need at least one monitor to work from, although it can
sometimes be beneficial to have two, depending on the type of work you do. An extra monitor is
also helpful when working from a laptop, as it gives you a much larger display. Good monitors will
usually be around 21-24”