Manager expects employee to use her personal computer for work because the company's laptops are slow: 'Apparently, half my coworkers are using their own equipment because the company refuses to upgrade.'

Author image for Emmy Pratt
Emmy Pratt • Writer and Editor
Jan 3, 2026 8:00 AM EST

It's not her responsibility to supply work equipment. 

It's no fun to have to use your own personal money to buy things you need to do your job. Who among us hasn't had to spend money on our own uniforms for a job, even though they were a requirement? Some might think buying a Burger King t-shirt and baseball cap is no different from spending a boatload of money on a closet full of business-casual clothes. At least in the latter case, you can use those clothes for other occasions and future jobs. If you have to spend $20 on every Burger King t-shirt that you need for work, you're a lot less likely to be able to incorporate those shirts into your wardrobe after you leave Burger King for good. 

If you have to invest in high-quality work equipment, you might be more likely to choose something expensive that will last a long time. If you need industrial work boots, you don't want to invest in ones that will last only a year. Unless your company is covering the cost, you want equipment that will last for years, so you don't have to keep going back to the store to buy new work boots. Also, investing in high-quality equipment is imperative if you're working in welding or other manufacturing or construction roles. It's surprising that some companies don't invest in good equipment, because their #1 priority should be keeping their employees safe.

Add as a preferred
source on Google
Advertisement

  • The employee in this story found herself in an awkward situation when her boss pressured her to use her personal laptop for work rather than the company's. Her boss pressured her because the company's laptops are so inadequate that they're slowing down productivity. If only there were an easy solution to that problem.

  • Focused female with curly hair sitting at table with humidifier and potted planet and browsing laptop in cozy room at home
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • My manager expects me to use my personal laptop for work because "the company ones are slow"

    So I work at a mid sized marketing agency and we all got these Dell laptops that are honestly pretty trash, they're like 5 years old and take forever to boot up. Whatever, I deal with it.
    via u/DiscreetMaam
  • Last week my manager pulls me aside and goes "hey I noticed you bring your MacBook to meetings sometimes, would you mind using that for the design work? The rendering times on those Dells are killing our turnaround."
    via u/DiscreetMaam
  • Man working in an office with his laptop
    via Curated Lifestyle (Unsplash+)

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • I was like uh no? This is my personal computer that I spent like $2400 on. I literally used money I had put aside to buy this thing. She looked at me like I just told her I worship satan or something and was like "well I just thought you'd want to be more efficient, other people on the team do it"
    via u/DiscreetMaam
  • So now apparently half my coworkers are using their own equipment because the company refuses to upgrade our stuff and management just expects us to fill in the gaps with our own money?? And Im the asshole for not wanting to put
    via u/DiscreetMaam
  • wear and tear on my personal laptop that I need for freelance work on the side?? Oh and also my manager drives. a brand new Tesla to work day but yeah sure let me subsidize the company's IT budget I guess every
    via u/DiscreetMaam
  • Black car on road during sunset
    via Dmitry Novikov

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Winter_Bid7630 Uh, no way. Surely this opens you up to liabilities. What if your computer is stolen or breaks down during an important project? Who fixes it or replaces it or deals with lost materials? No way would I do this.
    via u/DiscreetMaam
  • nwood 1973 Hell no. If they want you using a Mac book let then pay for it. Not your fault if their computers render slowly, if they want it quicker that's on them. The company should, IMHO, provided all the IT equipment to do the work. Companies shouldn't even suggest that from a data security point of view.
    via u/DiscreetMaam
  • Aern No is an entire answer.
    via u/DiscreetMaam
  • Ghostyped If they want work to get done faster they should invest in their own systems. If they don't realize that they're morons
    via u/DiscreetMaam
  • zleuth Yeah, stick to your guns. If the provided equipment is tanking productivity that much, and your manager is aware of that, then any loss of efficiency is solely on her. Document the interaction to cover your ass. Does your company have equipment requisition forms or procedures on their network? Make a formal request to management for upgraded equipment. Make a paper trail so you can defend yourself against anything about it in the future.
    via u/DiscreetMaam
  • WarmlyAddict The fact that "other people do it" is such a weak justification. That usually just means some employees felt pressured and didn't feel comfortable saying no. Your MacBook isn't just hardware, it's your livelihood, especially if you freelance. Mixing personal and company work can also create serious data ownership and privacy issues. Management saving money by shifting costs onto staff is not okay.
    via u/DiscreetMaam
  • EditorNo2545 our company has rules about company IP not being on their computers. We could possibly be terminated for using our own laptops for company business. Too many liabilities and security issues to bother if you ask me. Also if it was me and there was a way to make anonymous tips I'd drop the dime on this.
    via u/DiscreetMaam
  • Wolfman01a Try to leave your job and they are liable to demand your computer as it has "company property" on it. They'll take you to court.
    via u/DiscreetMaam
  • scene_missing M4 Mac Minis are $399 now, tell your cheap ass company to buy some actual equipment
    via u/DiscreetMaam
  • TB-313935 Slow laptop is slow work. Pretty simple if you ask me.
    via u/DiscreetMaam

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

employee manager PC work design macbook computer company laptop information technology
Scroll Down For The Next Article