Macbook for new job?

[PhoenixDown]

Hey folks, I am starting a new role and I am being given the choice of a windows or Mac laptop. Queue mind being blown as I have never been offered Apple as an option before!

Obviously I want to go with the Mac as it's a better laptop all around but I am sure it will have some kind of device security / management to lock out and remote wipe if lost/stolen. Will I need a unique Apple ID or is it like the iPhone where I can have my personal stuff on the device (assuming its allowed to be installed) and the corporate side can't see the personal side?

 

[Bigwaff]

Will I need a unique Apple ID or is it like the iPhone where I can have my personal stuff on the device (assuming its allowed to be installed) and the corporate side can't see the personal side?

I recommend you don't put any personal data on any corporate device. For work, I have a separate Apple Account which I have added to my Family Group so I can listen to Apple Music, download applications I've purchased, etc on both my corporate iPhone and Mac.

 

[ignatius345]

My hunch would be that the company would initiate and issue you credentials for an Apple ID that they basically own, tied to that Mac. They’ll likely (I’d assume) install a device management profile on it which gives them absolute control of the machine.

I would not put any of my personal stuff on a work-owned machine, myself. If you log into it with your personal Apple ID, the employer can then access everything tied to that Apple ID: all your texts, all your iCloud files, Safari history from your phone, all kinds of stuff. Not worth it IMO!

That being said, it is technically possible to have separate user accounts on a Mac which are tied to separate Apple IDs. No guarantee they couldn’t just get right in to your personal account if you did that, though. They’d have the technical ability to do it and they’d have the legal authority.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Agree with others - for work, my company didn't "Assign" me an Apple Account so I set up my own separate from my personal email.

 

[ignatius345]

I recommend you don't put any personal data on any corporate device. For work, I have a separate Apple Account which I have added to my Family Group so I can listen to Apple Music, download applications I've purchased, etc on both my corporate iPhone and Mac.

I did a similar thing.

No way was I going to put my real Apple ID on a company Mac, but making a kind of “burner” Apple ID works brilliantly with Family Sharing and a couple of selected iCloud folder shares. I’d just advise anyone to watch out for any company policies about it so they don’t get in trouble.