While the worst days of the pandemic seem long gone, the impact it has had on work culture certainly seems to have stayed. The quality of our work day depends on our internet connection, headset quality, monitor resolution, and the ergonomic design of our keyboard and mouse more than ever before. So, as many of us continue to work from home, it is vital that we consider the importance of using the right equipment and the best computer accessories.Â
We have covered the required software, apps, and other important issues for teleworking in another article. Now, we would like to take a look at the necessary computer accessories you need to effectively work remotely from home.Â
Even though many companies offer the essentials (such as a laptop), just like your company office, your home office should match your needs and taste. You must take the time to choose the right accessories to make your days as comfortable yet productive as possible.
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Home office monitors
Many of us rely on laptops nowadays to get work done. Although laptops are a great solution for those who require a portable device, their small screens are frequently a nuisance, especially to those who don’t benefit from the portability. Some of today’s best home office monitors are capable of easily resolving this issue by offering great resolution and a lot more screen real-estate so that you can continue working effectively without straining your eyes.
Curved monitors are a particularly great example of suitable home office monitors. Curved screens aim every single pixel at the viewer, which not only creates a better viewing experience for the user but also feels more comfortable for the eyes. Since the human horizontal field of vision is about 135 degrees, a curved display allows for us to comfortably view different parts of the screen within equal distance from our eyes. This is precisely why curved home office monitors are often deemed as some of the best monitors for work from home.
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Mice
Until recently, computer and laptop mice were limited in variety and served very similar functions. Today, however, there is such a variety amongst mice that it is very hard to determine what works for whom. Whether it’s a unique design, high DPI numbers, many customizable buttons, or great connectivity features, almost every mouse in the market is able to offer something unique.Â
Choosing the right mouse thus seems like a daunting task. But if you prioritize a few key features, it doesn’t need to be.Â
For work-from-home purposes, the best mouse for laptop and PC would be the one that offers a comfortable and ergonomic design, the ability to connect to more than one device, and customizable buttons. Since our wrists are not naturally inclined to face downward when we rest our hands, a mouse with an ergonomic design can help prevent any wrist pain due to long hours of work. Moreover, a mouse that features wireless connectivity to multiple devices makes working with more than one device a lot more seamless. Lastly, customizable buttons on a mouse allow you to program each button to act as a shortcut to a function within a software, enabling you to accomplish some tasks more efficiently.
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Keyboards
The right keyboard can make the ultimate difference in your work-from-home routine. What the right keyboard looks or feels like will differ from person to person. You should look at the keyboard’s design, material, key layout, and size, as well as key type to determine whether a keyboard is a right fit for you. While some prefer smaller keyboards with mechanical keys, others may prefer a full-sized keyboard with a num-pad, palm rest, and membrane keys. Â
Moreover, many of the best keyboards for laptops and PCs, such as the Logitech craft, have dedicated, customizable buttons that allow you to program them to serve the exact functions you need. In this way, you can access various software and features within them with the pressing, or touch, of a button.
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Headsets
Top-quality headsets are crucial when it comes to finding the best computer accessories. Great headsets can make virtual conference calls so much more seamless by offering high-quality sound, a powerful and noise-canceling microphone, a comfortable design, and portability via Bluetooth.Â
When it comes to choosing the right headset, there are some factors to consider. The first is the quality of the audio. Whether it is the audio that the user receives or the audio that he/she sends via the microphone, it should be of perfect quality. No one likes to be misheard or have trouble listening to others during an important business call.
The second factor to pay attention to is the compatibility of the headset. Depending on the device you work with, you want to make sure that the headset of your choice is compatible with that device and able to connect easily. It is always good to consider Bluetooth headsets because they are compatible with all devices and offer great portability.Â
The last factor to consider is comfort. Everyone has experienced chaotic work weeks with meetings and conference calls scheduled back to back. You could end up with headaches or pain around your ears if your headset is not comfortable enough. Thus, make sure to choose a headset that is light and made to be worn for long hours.Â
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Webcams
Webcams are another significant work-from-home requirement. Resolution and frame rate are the most important factors in choosing a good webcam for work.Â
Today, a webcam with HD quality may suffice, because 720p resolution delivers a clear image with high-enough quality. Still, you can always go for higher resolutions such as 1080p or 4K. In fact, some of the best webcams for laptops, such as the Logitech Brio, offer really high resolutions. However, limited internet bandwidth can be an issue for 1080p or 4K image qualities. Depending on your internet’s capacity, you might want to stick to a lower resolution webcam to experience smoother calls.
There is also the webcam’s frame rate. A decent webcam should have a frame rate of at least 30 frames per second (fps) to offer smooth image quality. Anything below 30 fps can result in the shaky or pixelated video. Some of the best webcams for laptops and PC also offer 60 fps, which is much smoother and delivers the best outcome possible in the video for webcams but 30 works just fine for work and business.
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Docking Stations
Docking stations, which used to be called port replicators, are neat devices that let you enjoy your laptop or PC setup and accessories without the hassle of having to deal with ports or outlets. You can simply plug in your keyboard, mouse, monitor, headphones, hard drive, and other accessories to a docking station and connect your device to the dock to use all these devices. The docking station essentially acts as the bridge that connects all your devices together.
Docking stations are especially useful for people who need many ports. The best docking stations for laptops offer multiple USB-C, USB-A, DisplayPort, and HDMI ports, as well as ports capable of charging your laptop and other devices.
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Conclusion
There is a considerable amount of options available in the market under each of the categories of accessories we discussed, and finding the best computer accessories is not easy. Nevertheless, we hope that the article has given you some perspective as to what you should keep an eye out for as you are conducting your search for finding the right computer accessories.Â
If you are looking for hardware and software for remote working or some of the best computer accessories check out our products page to find out about all of our premium offerings and make sure to get in contact with us to get help from one of our expert team members.
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