8 Tech Products You Need While Working from Home
Updated: Apr. 19, 2023Make working from home a little easier with these tech upgrades.
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Add a Supplemental Screen
Connecting your laptop to an external monitor is a great way to take control of your work space and become more organized while you work. The additional screen means you can be more spread out with your work, with all the information you need readily available on-screen rather than hidden in a random tab three browser windows away. Modern, high-quality monitors don’t have to come with a hefty price tag, either — the model pictured above costs less than $100. Oh, and if you’re someone who works late nights, a monitor light bar is a great investment, too.
Gain High Performance External Storage
The little device shown above doesn’t look like much…and that’s the point. Many external storage devices are bulky, cumbersome things, but the OWC Envoy Pro EX is the opposite. While it has a sleek, minimalist design, there’s a lot of high-powered tech packed inside its shiny casing.
At its highest storage capacity the Envoy Pro EX holds up to 2TB of data, more than enough for the average user even in today’s world of 4K video and high-resolution photography. The Envoy Pro doesn’t just hold a lot of data, though. It’s also really fast, transferring data at speeds up to 980 Mbps, faster than most high speed internet connections.
Get Better Voice Calls
Looking to upgrade the sound quality of your voice over video and audio calls? This wireless headset from Jabra promises high-definition voice quality through its built-in microphone, coupled with a battery that will last for up to 18 hours of talk time. Plus, the Jabra Evolve 75 UC is certified to work with all major communication platforms
Mount Extra Screens on Your Laptop
If you want the convenience of an extra screen at your work station but don’t have the space for an additional monitor, the Mountie from Ten One Design is ready to meet you halfway. This nifty little clip slides on to the side of a laptop screen so that you can attach and view the screen of another small device, like your smartphone or tablet. There’s even a Mountie+ if you want to attach a larger device, like one of the newer iPad pros.
Add More USB Ports
Modern laptops are made to be as thin and portable as possible, a design choice which often leads to laptops with only one or two USB ports. That means that once you connect a keyboard and a mouse to your computer, you’re suddenly all out of ports.
This USB 3.0 Hub from Tendak is your answer. Plugging it into one of your computer’s ports instantly gains you seven more USB 3.0 data ports and four USB charging ports. As an added convenience, each port can be toggled on and off individually
Upgrade Your Keyboard
Avid typists will tell you that nothing beats the feeling of a mechanical keyboard under your fingers. They also last longer and respond more accurately than the typical laptop keyboard.
Whether you’re a typing enthusiast or not, upgrading to a wireless mechanical keyboard like this one from Keychron will help round out your work-from-home station. It’s fully wireless, meaning fewer cords draped across your desk, and comes with customizable keys to make it compatible with Windows and Mac computers.
Oversize Your Mouse Pad
Mouse pads covering a large portion of your desk may have been popularized by gamers, but that doesn’t make them any less convenient for everyday use. This mouse pad by VicTsing is about 32-in. wide by 16-in. long, giving a wide surface for your mouse to move around without constraints. The pad is water resistant and has a non-slip rubber base so that it stays in place.
Get A Better Webcam
If you are concerned about the quality of your video calls, it might indicate a poor internet connection. But it might also mean you need to upgrade to a better webcam. If you’re confident your internet is not the problem, the AUKEY FHD Webcam could be a great upgrade. The camera connects to your computer via USB and shoots in full 1080p. It’s also a breeze to set up. All you do is plug it in and you’re good to go, no software installation required.Â
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