AirForce Academy (PC or Mac)

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USAFAAlltheway

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Nov 5, 2018
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Hi, I am a Mac user and I was wondering if I could bring my Mac to the AirForce academy when I join. Would that be possible?
 
You can bring it, but you may not be able to connect to the local network. I don't know the details of the current USAFA network, but government network security is more restrictive, and the communications squadron is usually not eager to connect private computers.
 
+1 @raimius Even if you have your personal Mac delivered after BCT, most of the resources you will need on a daily basis will only be available through the windows-based laptop issued by USAFA.
 
One suggests you leave your laptop at home (give it to Little Brother!).
 
From our visit this past weekend, which included a tour of a doolie room, there does not appear to be any "personal" items in ones room the first year...aside from photos.
 
4 degree here, I had my parents bring mine up after BCT. You can either use your own hotspot or buy the civilian WiFi here.
 
Twins4us said:
From our visit this past weekend, which included a tour of a doolie room, there does not appear to be any "personal" items in ones room the first year...aside from photos.
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"Appear" is the key word here, haha.

It's probably not as useless to own a personal computer as it was a few years ago given that civilian wifi is now available. Also, you can have a personal laptop configured for use on the government network, but be aware that you sacrifice some privacy. I saw a few cadets do it, but never with an Apple computer.

You will be required the purchase the cadet laptop anyway.
 
You can go ahead and bring it. I have a personal computer that I use for most of my school work and when I need to send emails or do anything official, I use the issued laptop.
 
Computers issued to 2019ers were not very good (especially for the money spent) - my cadet's computer is limping to the finish line and has had much service done to allow it to do so. Time is precious and the computer struggles have frustrated my cadet greatly given that so much of your work will be done through it. My subsequent understanding was that my cadet could've bought own computer instead of just accepting the one selected & "issued" by the government (make no mistake - you pay for this computer out of your cadet pay and own it at the end).

Whatever you choose to do (attempt to use your current MAC or shop for and buy your own instead of the gov't issued one) it will have to be able to support all the software that the government will have to add for security ... as well as the external Cadet Access Card reader that will have to be added. Find out what is intended for your incoming class (they should have a specifications list available) and check to see whether it is of the quality you could purchase on your own for the same money ... it will take some additional work; but, again your buying it with your money so if had it to do over again - I would recommend shopping it - but, above all, make as sure as you can that it is highly reliable so you don't have to waste time in the computer services offices trying to get it to function right.
 
Option.Period said:
\ as well as the external Cadet Access Card reader that will have to be added. Find out what is intended for your incoming class (they should have a specifications list available) and check to see whether it is of the quality you could purchase on your own for the same money ... it will take some additional work; but, again your buying it with your money so if had it to do over again - I would recommend shopping it - but, above all, make as sure as you can that it is highly reliable so you don't have to waste time in the computer services offices trying to get it to function right.
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USB CAC readers are less than $15. If you want to get you own computer, definitely do it.
 
Option.Period said:
Computers issued to 2019ers were not very good (especially for the money spent) - my cadet's computer is limping to the finish line and has had much service done to allow it to do so. Time is precious and the computer struggles have frustrated my cadet greatly given that so much of your work will be done through it. My subsequent understanding was that my cadet could've bought own computer instead of just accepting the one selected & "issued" by the government (make no mistake - you pay for this computer out of your cadet pay and own it at the end).

Whatever you choose to do (attempt to use your current MAC or shop for and buy your own instead of the gov't issued one) it will have to be able to support all the software that the government will have to add for security ... as well as the external Cadet Access Card reader that will have to be added. Find out what is intended for your incoming class (they should have a specifications list available) and check to see whether it is of the quality you could purchase on your own for the same money ... it will take some additional work; but, again your buying it with your money so if had it to do over again - I would recommend shopping it - but, above all, make as sure as you can that it is highly reliable so you don't have to waste time in the computer services offices trying to get it to function right.
Click to expand...

I think one advantage of accepting the issued computer (if rejecting is even an option) is that the Academy has a contracted service center on-site. I'd wager that their contract does not cover personal devices, but it's worth checking out.
 
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