When you’re seeking to take your desk setup to the subsequent degree, that is the information for you. Head under for a few of my favourite merchandise that may enhance your working setup, starting from equipment to decorations and extra. The entire issues on this record are issues I’ve personally used and might vouch for.
Wi-Fi 6E routers
Wi-Fi is right here, and it affords some substantial efficiency and reliability enhancements. When you’re seeking to make an improve to your private home setup, now’s a good time to do it. Right here’s a rundown of Apple’s units that help Wi-Fi 6E:
- iMac (24-inch, 2023)
- MacBook Professional (14-inch, Nov 2023)
- MacBook Professional (16-inch, Nov 2023)
- MacBook Professional (14-inch, 2023) or MacBook Professional (16-inch, 2023)
- Mac mini (2023)
- Mac Studio (2023)
- Mac Professional (2023)
- iPhone 15 Professional or iPhone 15 Professional Max
- iPad Professional 11-inch (4th technology) or iPad Professional 12.9-inch (sixth technology)
Our favourite Wi-Fi 6E {hardware} comes from Eero, which affords whole-home mesh techniques at compelling costs.
Satechi desk mat
Visually, considered one of my favourite upgrades to a work-from-home desk setup is the addition of a pleasant desk mat. My suggestion on this class comes from Satechi, which affords an eco-leather desk mat in a trio of various colours at a compelling $39.99 value level.
I’ve been utilizing these for some time and discover them to be very sturdy and versatile, due to the dual-sided design. Notably, one of many sides doesn’t function a Satechi emblem, which makes it the very best facet.
200W USB-C 6-port GaN charger
You’ll be able to by no means have too many USB-C ports for charging your numerous equipment and units. Satechi’s USB-C 200W GaN Charger packs six USB-C ports that may cost any of your equipment or units at full velocity.
I’ve grown to love having this factor on my desk, so I all the time have a spot to cost no matter system wants some juice at any given time. It’s expensive, however it’s definitely worth the funding.
OWC Thunderbolt 4 dock
One of many extra integral additions to my setup this yr was the OWC Thunderbolt Dock, a model we additionally went hands-on with earlier this yr.
The OWC Thunderbolt Dock I’m utilizing in my setup affords 4 Thunderbolt 4 ports with help for as much as 40Gb/s switch speeds, 4 USB-A ports, an SD card slot, a 3.5mm audio jack, and gigabit Ethernet. I’ve the dock mounted on the underside of my desk, so it’s hidden and out of the best way, however its ports are nonetheless accessible.
Laptop computer stands from Twelve South
When you or the individual you’re shopping for for makes use of a MacBook at their desk, the addition of a devoted laptop computer stand is usually a appreciable ergonomics enchancment. I’ve been a fan of the Twelve South Curve for over 4 years and might extremely suggest it to MacBook customers.
Twelve South additionally affords the ParcSlope as an alternative choice for MacBook customers, and it even is available in an up to date matte black end that appears smooth on any desk.
Another choice from – you guessed it – Twelve South is the Curve Flex, which you’ll be able to see above. This one includes a premium aluminum construct that’s adjustable. It may be raised or lowered proper to your liking.
Nomad Stand One
Nomad makes a few of my favourite equipment for iPhone, and the corporate’s newest Stand One isn’t any exception. The Stand One is a premium vertical charger with built-in MagSafe help. It’s made out of aluminum and options an built-in 2-meter braided USB-C cable. It could cost your iPhone at as much as 15W speeds.
The Nomad Stand One is accessible in two colours: silver/white or carbide.
Whereas the Nomad Stand One is a beautiful iPhone charger, you would possibly favor one thing with a 2-in-1 design. My favourite choice right here is the Belkin 2-in-1 Wi-fi Charging Stand with MagSafe, whereas one other extra inexpensive choice is accessible from Satechi.
This stand from Belkin is expensive, however it includes a sturdy design with an upright MagSafe stand to your iPhone and an built-in spot to your AirPods within the base. It could cost your iPhone on the quickest doable MagSafe speeds, as much as 15 watts. It makes use of a single-cable design for powering the MagSafe charger and AirPods charger.
Keychron Q5 mechanical keyboard
I made the soar to a mechanical keyboard this yr, and I haven’t regarded again since. I’m personally utilizing the Keychron Q5, which includes a backlit design, a built-in quantity knob, USB-C connectivity, and a customizable design.
Along with these advantages, I’ve discovered my change to the Keychron Q5 to be a major ergonomics enchancment. The elevated design has considerably decreased wrist ache throughout lengthy writing periods compared to one thing like Apple’s Magic Keyboard.
The Keychron Q5 is considerably expensive at slightly below $230, however there are additionally extra inexpensive mechanical keyboard choices on the market. Certainly one of our favorites is the Logitech MX Mechanical wi-fi keyboard, which can be extra compact than the Keychron choice in addition to wi-fi.
Satechi headphone stand
Satechi’s 2-in-1 Headphone Stand is likely one of the issues on my desk that I get requested about most frequently. It includes a hook design to carry your headphones, with a base that doubles as a Qi charger to your iPhone or AirPods.
On the again of the 2-in-1 Headphone Stand are two separate USB-C ports. Certainly one of these is a UBS-C enter port that may be related to energy, whereas the opposite is a USB-C output port.
The one USB-C enter gives sufficient energy for the Qi charger within the base, in addition to to energy the second USB-C output. The Qi charging pad gives as much as 7.5W of energy and works with any Qi-supported system, together with iPhones, AirPods, and extra.
Below-desk headphone mount
Another choice for headphone storage comes from Elevation Lab. The Anchor Below-Desk Headphone Stand mounts to the underside of your desk utilizing adhesive and might maintain as much as two pairs of headphones on the similar time.
HomeKit gentle strips
For accent lighting, you may by no means go mistaken with some HomeKit gentle strips to your desk. Whether or not you place them behind your desk or beneath, they’ll present atmosphere and personalization to your desk setup. HomeKit compatibility lets you management the brightness and colour out of your iPhone or utilizing Siri.
HomeKit gentle strips have gotten considerably cheaper through the years, with choices now coming in at below $50 from dependable producers on Amazon.
Philips Hue Play Mild Bar
A better-end choice for desktop accent lighting comes from Philips Hue and the firm’s Play Mild Bar. These can present some lovely accent lighting to your workplace and desk, both with a stand or by being mounted to the again of your show.
These, nevertheless, are pricier than a fundamental gentle strip, and also you’ll additionally want a Philips Hue Bridge for full performance.
HomeKit desk lamp
Rounding out our give attention to lighting is a fundamental HomeKit-capable desk lamp. You’ll be able to choose up a smooth HomeKit desk lamp from an organization like Meross on Amazon for below $50. I’ve personally been utilizing this Meross desk lamp for a very long time and haven’t had any issues with it.
The rationale I’ve included a number of totally different lighting equipment on this information is that I feel having delicate and customizable lighting round you could be nice for productiveness. That is very true for those who’re working in a room or workplace with brilliant fluorescent overhead lighting.
Logitech MX Grasp 3S
I’ve been singing the praises of Logitech’s MX lineup of mice for years, and completely nothing has modified. The newest Logitech MX Grasp 3S is a supremely wonderful mouse to your Mac. Ergonomically, I discover it to be considerably higher than one thing like Apple’s Magic Mouse.
The MX Grasp 3S can be absolutely customizable utilizing Logitech’s Choices software program on the Mac. You’ll be able to assign the totally different buttons to macOS options, like mission management, expose, the app switcher, and far more.
Below-desk Storage Shelf
On the lookout for a solution to preserve litter off your desk? This HumanCentric Below Desk Storage Shelf is a good choice. It attaches to the underside of your desk utilizing adhesive strips and can be utilized to retailer issues like your keys, pockets, AirPods case, and extra.
This may not seem to be probably the most thrilling accent alternative, however belief me after I say I’ve liked including this to my setup.
Ember Temperature Management Sensible Mug
When you’re a espresso drinker who finds themselves getting distracted and letting your espresso get chilly, the Ember Sensible Mug may help remedy that drawback. There’s a companion app for iPhone that allows you to management the temperature, and the battery contained in the mug can preserve your espresso heat for as much as 80 minutes.
Below $20 WFH upgrades
To spherical out this information, I assumed it’d be useful to incorporate some extra inexpensive desk and work-from-home equipment.
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