If you’re still struggling to do your job on a clunky old workstation, here’s a gift for the holidays: Modern laptops are on the way.
The Coast Guard has ordered 20,460 new laptop computers which it hopes to have in workers’ hands as early as January 2022, the C5I Service Center announced recently.
It’s the beginning of a four-year, service-wide initiative to replace 48,000 outdated legacy computers. It’s also a critical step in developing the mobile and mission-ready workforce envisioned by the Tech Revolution. While the Coast Guard promotes lives saved as a measure of operational success, “every-thing we do depends on the strength of our underlying IT,” notes Lt. William Poteat, who manages the hardware program. “We must treat it as a strategic asset.”
So, what kind of computers are we talking about?
The Coast Guard plans to replace most desktop computers with laptops. The service was able to purchase 15,460 regular lightweight laptops and 5,000 2-in-1s. A 2-in-1 is a laptop with a touch screen that folds over and can be used as a tablet with cellular capability.
Both models are equipped with the latest Intel i7 processors and meet the latest industry standards. “Solid state hard drives will ensure the fastest possible login and logout times,” Poteat says, “and 32GB of RAM will alleviate fears of keeping multiple applications open at one time.”
Who gets them?
The laptops that arrive in early 2022 have already been allocated. They will replace the following work-stations in the field:
- 16,000 Dell OptiPlex 5040 Series desktop computers
- 3,000 Dell Latitude 5570 Series laptops
If you’re currently using either of these, there’s a good chance you’ll be getting a new workstation.
Can I choose which laptop?
Unfortunately, no. The Coast Guard prefers the 2-in-1 as a mobile option and was only able to procure 5,000 of them this year. Recruiters and marine inspectors have already been using 2-in-1s, so expect the service to continue to target people who move around a lot to do their jobs. Fortunately, the other laptops are also powerful computers that will be four generations newer than what they’re replacing.
When will these laptops get here?
The new laptops were ordered in September with a four-month lead time, so they are scheduled to arrive in the first calendar quarter of 2022. So far things look good, but ongoing chip shortages and supply chain issues could still cause delays.
How will I get one if I qualify?
Laptops and associated peripherals will be delivered to each unit’s base C5IT department (BCD). BCDs will distribute the workstations to Electronic Support Detachment for immediate imaging and installa-tion.
My workstation won’t be replaced this time, when will the next ones come in?
More than a third of the computers to be replaced through this initiative are more than six years old. Going forward, the Coast Guard will set up a recapitalization schedule to swap out 25 percent of work-stations annually to meet industry standards. That will ensure no one is working on a computer that is beyond its useable life.