Top 5 Home Office Tech Essentials
With so many people in the workforce currently working remotely, it’s probably a good time to evaluate your home office setup. Even if you don’t currently have a dedicated home office room itself, it’s probably a good idea to invest in some basics, as I imagine the future of the work force looks even more and more remote. The dreaded “future-proof” phrase gets tossed around too frequently, but as technology continues to advance and career paths evolve, you don’t want to get caught unprepared without some necessities that will make a transition much smoother.
This won’t be tips on how to be more “productive” remotely, you simply can’t measure accurate productivity in times like these so it’s pointless to even go there and I will stand by these words. These things CAN help you be productive, in the sense that if you are comfortable and have the basic resources, you won’t feel a lack of support.
Dedicated Workspace/Desk
Calling a desk “tech” might be a bit of a stretch but hear me out. In a pinch, your kitchen or dining room table will do the trick just fine, but these are typically casual & communal spaces. Even if you live on your own, getting a desk immediately creates a dedicated workspace that you can plug in, and more importantly, plug out from. It doesn’t have to be anything complex or expensive, a simple writing desk or table will begin to make a world of a difference. Before you consider getting anything else here, get the dedicated space. Craigslist is your friend here if you’re strapped for cash, something with a flat surface and 4 legs (that fits in your space, obviously) can be very cheap or even free. Otherwise walk over to your nearest furniture store or Target and you can find something for under $100, no need to break the bank.
Monitor
Similar to the kitchen table, a TV is likely to be an acceptable temporary solution if you already have one. And then similar problem as that, you are no longer in a dedicated working space. Unless you already have a desktop at home, get a monitor to plug your laptop into. The extra screen real estate allows you to keep critical applications open and readily available without you having to click around looking for the last thing you were reading or working on, thus breaking your focus. This also doesn’t need to break the bank, plus, having a screen that sits higher than your laptop screen is better for your posture anyways. I’d recommend a 21”-23” 1080p monitor that you can get for about $100 (this one would do well) but same rules apply, hunt around and you’re likely to find something used in good condition for cheap or even free. Next time you run into a gamer, thank them for driving 1080p monitor prices down (since they’re moving on to high refresh rate/high resolution ones).
Mouse & Keyboard
Honestly, even with just the desk and monitor, you’re really cookin’. If there were 2 absolutely critical things for a proper working space, you’re mostly set. The rest of this list I still deem essential, but really more for your comfort than anything else. And if you’re comfortable, you’re less likely to be frustrated with your situation. So, mice and keyboards. If you know little to nothing about these peripherals, I won’t waste your time. Find a wireless combo that will do the trick. Here’s a combo I found that works for both Mac & PC. If you need something different or different colors, just do a quick combo search for your OS and make sure you pick the right one so it’s compatible. And if you are pickier with peripherals and are looking for something else like a mechanical keyboard…well, you likely already know where to look ;). (For the hell of it here’s what I use at my workstation: Keychron K2 & MX Master 2S). Also, make sure you toss in a mouse pad, no one likes their cursor seizing up all over their screen due to poor tracking on your desk surface. Don’t fret about the “gaming” label here, this pad is $10 and one of the highest rated overall mouse pads in the market, period.
Chair
I’m going to have to apologize to the frugal reader here, but I can’t really recommend something super cheap here. I won’t break the bank, but similar to finding a good mattress, it’s going to be in your best interest to invest in high quality here. It’s scientifically proven that sitting for as long as the modern workforce does isn’t good for our health. So obviously try to walk around and stretch your legs at LEAST once per hour, if not every 30 min for a solid 5 min. Time tracking be damned. However, the reality is that many of us do sit for long periods of time, so getting a chair that is both comfortable (but not TOO comfortable) and has good back support for proper posture is critical. Considering that highly rated chairs, some that even have medical professional recommendation, run anywhere from $500-$1000+, this $250 chair is solid. If you don’t believe me, and you miss your chair back at the work office, ask your office manager how much each of THOSE cost. Your back will thank you.
Speakers
I nearly put headphones with built in mic here, but that’s nearly a given and honestly, with a dedicated working space you have now, the pair that came with your phone are going to do the trick. If the out of box headset that comes with your iPhone is good enough to talk to your friends and family, it’s good enough for conference calls. Just, mute your mic when you aren’t talking, please. Not just for work, but when your chatting with said friends and family as well lol. This one might feel like a bit of a luxury, why would speakers be essential? Well, have you ever had your headphones plugged in for more than even just 1 hour straight? Think about it, back at the work office, you plugged in to get away and focus, but they’d come off during meetings or when talking to your desk peers. Even if you live with your family, kids, roommates, whatever your situation is, having headphones on for a full work day isn’t comfortable. Keep in mind this is coming from a guy who has 8+ pairs of headphones. So why the speakers? I don’t know about you all, but I need SOME ambient sound in the background while I work and write. There are also studies that correlate an increase in focus and retention when you are listening to music (you can read some here and here). Having that come from speakers gives you a better sense of your surroundings and can set an ambiance that is typically frowned upon in a shared workspace. Of course, as with everything, this changes based on your home situation, but I’m a believer in creating an environment that allows you to be who you are without some of the necessary office etiquette restrictions. These $20 amazon speakers are compact enough to get you started.
Honorable Mentions
Pen & Paper
There is something to be said about writing down notes and thoughts with your hand. Analog tools, if you will. As the world continues to become more environmentally conscious, however, it’s important that we continue to do our part. So if you must, try going for an eco-friendly option that uses repurposed & recycled materials, or getting a small dry erase board.
Webcams
The vast majority of laptops these days have a built in webcam, and coupled with a current shortage of webcams means you wouldn’t be able to get one anyways, so they didn’t make the cut. There are of course security and privacy concerns that I don’t want to ignore, but so much communication happens visually. That said, everyone knows their comfort levels, and if communication is happening and things are getting done, not having the webcam on is a non issue to me.
