Odds are you can get your job done with a 500$ laptop if push comes to shove.
Now of course you can show up without a laptop and get into a nasty argument about them needing to provide you equipment. You’d be right, but they’d have the option to fire you on the spot. Even if this isn’t technically legal, you don’t have much recourse.
It’s up to you.
Everyone else here is going to keep downvoting me, and not a single one of them will help you find a new job.
I like this take. And I have been in that position before, get my self familiarized with whatever frameworks they are using.
But actual code, that's gonna need a work issued machine. They had over a week now since I accepted the offer and they have an MSP, so it's a bit odd for it to take that long.
It amazes me what supposed SOC2 "compliant" companies are willing to skimp on. A recent employer of mine, also regulated kept fighting me on getting me a work laptop. Also another funded SF based startup.
If only I still had my Lenovo S10 netbook from 2009 to bring in, I totally would. But if they can't get me a machine to do my job, I am concerned about my paycheck showing up.
Maybe it's my age talking but if a company pulled that on me here's what I'd do:
Show up on Monday without a computer. When asked, explain that they're the employer, its standard to pay for a work machine for me, and that its downright pathetic that they can't or won't.
Yes, I'd call them out. It's clearly a power move, and I'd put it right back to them. Pathetic.
I have considered that. The only reason I will bring it with me is if I need to fill out any other on-boarding paper work, but that is the limit. Maybe off-boarding as well if they don't take it well.
I was baffled when a large global consulting firm had me use my personal laptop and iPad (which they filmed to show off my work to other clients) for a month before getting me setup. And that was in 2018, I was desperate for work at the time.
To me the bigger issue is asking me to bring a laptop with me in the first place. But I will see how it plays out on Monday. As I said in another comment, I know the drill, no personal equipment ever touches company IP.
I would take out my personal SSD, put in a blank one and freshly install the needed OS.
Just to conform, and in case I needed a working machine until I found out whether they were serious enough to properly supply the necessities.
If not, then I could carry on with my own "good as new" laptop dedicated to the employer as long as necessary until I had collected enough pay to get an additional one for myself. Nicer one too.
It isn't actually about the machine you use. It is about why they choose not to give your the tools you need to do the job. If they cannot afford it, how can you believe they will afford your paycheck, or even keep the doors opens? IF they refuse to give you the resources to do the job on your first day, what will happen when you need something else down the road? Or are they just trying to minimize their expenses and resources give to employees?
Using your machine "until I found out whether they were serious enough to properly supply the necessities." makes no sense whatsoever. They aren't. You don't need to waste any energy finding out, they fact that they asked gave you your answer.
Sadly Mac's are all soldered in these days. My first Macbook Pro back in 2009 had so many mods, that I even took out the disc drive and used a special cradle to have a second SSD.
