Building a PC is just one part, albeit a major one, of the desk setup puzzle. Next comes picking a monitor, peripherals, desk, chair, speakers, accessories, lighting, and more to complete your ideal PC setup. Without the right tools on your desk, you can't expect to enjoy your work or achieve optimal productivity.
This is why upgrading your PC setup from time to time is essential to keep it in line with your changing needs and preferences. I've realized the absence of a few crucial things in my PC setup, and none of them have to do with my actual PC or even the monitor.
Related
7 tips to create your ultimate gaming-and-workstation PC setup
Wondering how to build a dual-purpose, work-and-play PC? These tips will help you out
Posts 2
5 Qi-compatible wireless charger
Eliminating the last of the cables
Close
It might not sound as game-changing as some other setup upgrades, but I believe a wireless charger can greatly improve my workflow on a daily basis. I currently charge my phone using my wired charger, which is installed on a power strip I keep under my desk. This arrangement works fine, but I face a couple of challenges with it.
First, the way I've routed the cable from the power strip to my phone on the desk prevents me from easily using my phone while it charges. I have to hold it at an awkward angle while it's tied to the cable. Second, I can't keep my phone where I like; it has to be charged at the spot where the cable comes up to the desk. The right Qi-compatible wireless charger will get rid of both problems without affecting the charging speed on my Pixel 7.
Additionally, I'll be able to remove some of the clutter on my desk and improve the aesthetics with a nice-looking wireless charging station.
Related
5 cheap PC desk setup upgrades that actually matter
Upgrade your desk setup without going too crazy, thanks to these affordable accessories
Posts
4 Single monitor arm
It's about time
Close
I've been using my current monitor for over four years now. Being a 27-inch screen, it occupies a fair bit of space on my desk, and its V-shaped stand juts out even more toward my desk mat and keyboard. Besides sacrificing precious real estate on my 4ft x 2ft desk, I also can't push the monitor as far back toward the wall as I would like, something my eyes would thank me for.
Hence, I've decided it is high time I bought a monitor arm and removed the stock stand for good. An affordable, VESA-compatible single monitor arm with height, tilt, rotate, and swivel movements shouldn't cost me too much. Most monitor arms can support 27"-32" monitors, are backed up by 10-year warranties, and come in black and white variants. Installing one is quite easy, too; you get C-clamp or grommet-based installation support on most of them.
Related
4 reasons I stopped at two monitors when building my setup
I planned to use three monitors, so I got a triple monitor arm, but I decided that two was my limit.
Posts 7
3 Monitor light bar
Let there be light
Close
I have warm lighting in my room next to my PC tower that does an okay job of illuminating the room and my keyboard when I'm working at night. However, my monitor is still harsh on my eyes, even at low brightness levels, if I work for multiple hours at a stretch. Installing a monitor light bar will reduce the strain on my eyes by reducing the contrast between the monitor screen and the rest of the desk.
Moreover, it will also result in a better-illuminated desk, thanks to the directional throw of light from the light bar. I won't have to rely on my desk lamp anymore, which is frankly too bright for my taste. Plus, the light bar's placement directly atop the monitor eliminates any reflections on the screen.
Many monitor light bars allow you to change the color temperature of the light, are compatible with curved monitors, have multiple dimming levels, and feature wireless controllers. If you skip the nice-to-have features, a decent model can be as cheap as $25.
Related
Need to jazz up your home office? Get yourself these 10 must-have upgrades.
Your home office is your mainstay for almost half of your day. These indispensable upgrades can help you take it to the next level.
Posts
2 A better pair of wireless headphones
I'm fed up with the terrible microphone
Close
I transitioned from wired to wireless headphones last year, switching to the Razer Barracuda X. I was delighted to score a deal in which I bought the headset for just under $55, around 40% off from its usual price at the time. However, my excitement was short-lived, as I started experiencing microphone issues right from the get-go.
Whether I was on calls with my colleagues or chatting with friends on Discord, everyone reported my mic going in and out frequently. No matter what I tried, I wasn't able to fix the issue. I'm even thinking whether the reason for the unusually low price was some deep-seated fault with my unit. Whatever the reason, I've finally decided to invest in a better-quality gaming headset.
I hope I can get one of the best gaming headsets at a reasonable price. Maybe a Christmas miracle will grant my wish.
Related
Buying a new gaming headset? These are the things I always look for
Use your budget wisely by looking for these features first.
Posts
1 A proper 5.1-channel speaker system
Performance over convenience
It's no secret that gamers typically use headphones instead of desk speakers or monitor speakers. The same is true with me, but I'm increasingly feeling a lack of high-quality sound on my PC for those times when I just can't be bothered to wear headphones. Listening to music on my partner's excellent Marshall speakers or even on her iMac's built-in speakers makes me wonder how long I'll be able to stay with my budget PC soundbar.
It might be time to invest in a true 5.1 setup for an immersive setup that can handle gaming, music, movies, and pretty much everything else. Something like the SteelSeries Arena 9 5.1 would be the best, or I could go for the Logitech Z906 for something more affordable. It is definitely one of the pricier upgrades, but I'm hoping it will last me for a considerable time.
Related
5 audio upgrades you can make for your gaming PC
These audio upgrades can take your gaming PC experience from meh to marvelous
Posts
Making your PC setup great again
There are times when your PC setup might go through a bit of a rough patch, lagging behind your current needs. These are the times when you need to reassess the additions you can make to revitalize your setup. Without making massive upgrades, such as buying a new graphics card or a new high-end monitor, you can still bring considerable changes to your setup if you get stuff that matters the most in your day-to-day workflow.