If you are a new hire, welcome! You will likely be asked several questions about your preferences for the following:
- Do you have a preference for MacBook Pro size (13" or 14")?
- Do you have a preference for color (Space Grey or Silver)?
- Do you have a preference for monitor setup (2x27" or 1x49")?
- Do you have a preference for mouse type (Standard Logitech or Apple Magic Mouse)?
- Do you have a preference for keyboard type/color (Apple Magic Keyboard or other)?
This is a guide to assist you in answering these questions.
We have a specific set of hardware we typically purchase, but if you have anything specific you would like (i.e. a specific mouse, keyboard, computer, larger screen size...) please let us know and in most cases this can be accommodated.
Please disregard price information, as we receive discounted pricing through our vendors.
The information below is for Macs, but you can select a Windows PC if you prefer. You should select whichever operating system you are more comfortable/productive with.
Do you have a preference for MacBook Pro size (13" or 14")?
We typically purchase MacBook Pro 14" laptops.
If you are traveling a lot and wish to have a lighter computer, you many want to consider the MacBook Pro 13" laptop instead, but this is a personal preference.
Most peripherals are connected through the monitor at your desk, so the only time the number of available ports will become an issue is when you're working away from your desk (in a meeting, at a conference, at home, etc...)
| MacBook Pro 13" | MacBook Pro 14" | |
|---|---|---|
| Supported External Displays | 1 | 2 |
| Weight | 3 lbs (1.4kg) | 3.5 lbs (1.6kg) |
| Ports | 2 Thunderbolt Ports | 3 Thunderbolt Ports, 1x HDMI Port |
If you are unsure, you can always go to an Apple store and take a look at the two options.
Please let me know if you are going to be doing a lot of work with video editing or machine learning or have any special requirements that will require processing power above and beyond a typical setup (which is 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD)
Do you have a preference for Color (Space Grey or Silver)?
|  |
| Silver | Space Grey |
This is entirely up to you. We usually get whichever is available faster.
Do you have a preference for monitor setup (2x27" or 1x49")?
We typically purchase two Dell UltraSharp 27 4K USB-C Hub Monitors or one Dell UltraSharp 49 Curved Monitor.
The 27" screens are nice if you prefer to have separate screens; or if you wish to put one of the screens in portrait mode; or if you dislike curved displays.
The 49" screen is nice if you work with a lot of spreadsheets, as you can see a very large quantity of columns.
If you purchase the 13" MacBook, it is recommended to get the 49" Display, as the 13" MacBook only supports a single external display.
We also have Dell 24" and 32" displays available. The 24" is not recommended unless you have impaired vision - The resolution is lower which means you can't fit as much information on it as the 27". Two 32" monitors may be overkill for most applications. If you only want a single 27" monitor, this is fine as well (some people are only comfortable working with a single display).
Please note that all monitors we use will charge your laptop (negating the need for an additional power supply) and also connect all of your peripherals to your computer (reducing the need for extra ports on your laptop).
The choice is mostly a personal preference - some people prefer two displays while others prefer a single, large display. By default, we typically purchase two 27" displays.
Do you have a preference for mouse type?
We typically purchase a M510 mouse purchase. These work fine with Macs.
If you travel a lot, we recommend you also get a Bluetooth mouse, such as the Logitech M535, which does not require a USB Dongle and you can keep the mouse in your bag. Let us know if this is the case.
Other options are the Apple Magic Mouse. This is generally not recommended because it needs to be recharged fairly frequently and is comparatively expensive, but you are welcome to use this if you are used to it (Let us know the color preference).
Other users sometimes have a special ergonomic mouse that they prefer to use - in this case just let us know which model you prefer.
Do you have a preference for keyboard type/color?
For Apple users we typically purchase an white or silicon Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID (let us know your color preference), otherwise we'll just order whichever. Some people don't like the way the keys feel and order a different keyboard. If you are unsure, we can always order you one after your start date.
Do you have a preference for noise-cancelling headphones?
If you are going to be sharing an area with several others, you may be offered the option to get noise-cancelling headphones. We typically purchase Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones. Let us know if you have a preference for something else.
If you are assigned your own office, this option will not be offered to you.
Any other questions/requirements?
If you have any questions or other requirements, please reach out and let us know. We can always delay (certain) purchases until after you start, if you are unsure of what you want. It makes little difference to us what options you choose - our goal is to have you be productive, and that is most easily achieved when you are using products you are comfortable with.
- Would you prefer an Apple Magic Mouse or a