When it comes to computer equipment and accessories, it’s important to find the right device for your specific needs. You probably already know that you need different computer specs for gaming than you would for office work, but what about peripherals and accessories?
Here’s a quick and dirty guide for picking the right equipment for you:
Prioritize Comfort and Health
We’ve come a long way in recognizing, treating, and preventing repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) but the word “ergonomics” can still be confusing. How do you set up an ergonomic workstation? Do you actually need that? Is it expensive??
A good rule of thumb is to prioritize comfort and health where you most need it. If you spend most of your day at a computer desk, you should probably invest in a good quality ergonomic chair that will support proper posture and hand position. Yes, they can be on the pricier side, but your spine will thank you for it. If you’re able, consider getting a standing or adjustable desk that allows you to get up for at least part of the day. For the more adventurous souls out there with good balance and coordination, under-desk treadmills are also popular and can help you get your daily steps in. Just don’t trip.
The Basics
Keyboard and Mouse
Speaking of ergonomics, how much time do you spend typing in any given day? If you notice shoulder pain or wrist pain, the issue may be your keyboard. While wrist rests are a good buffer for most people, you can also try an ergonomic keyboard to keep you comfortable.
Nerdy Recommendation: If you need a reliable product for everyday office use, go with Logitech. For heavy typing, spreadsheets, multitasking, or more ergonomic setups, try their MX series. For a keyboard that adjusts to you, check out GoldTouch.
Monitor(s)
If you’re going to spend hours on end staring at a screen, at least make sure it’s a good one. Before you choose a monitor, consider your desk setup and placement. Make sure you have enough room for the type of monitor you need, and that there are no light sources to cast a glare, as this can cause eye strain. If you notice that you’re squinting, or getting tired/watery eyes while working, try to adjust your monitor brightness up or down. Blue light filtering glasses can also help during heavy computer use, but depending on the type, they may affect the way you see colors on your screen. Keep that in mind if your work centers on art, graphics, or video editing.
Nerdy Recommendation: Our go-to brand for monitors is Dell. Go for a 24–27″ for standard office use. Dual monitors or 27–32″ 1440p/4K work well for spreadsheets, accounting, data, and multitasking. For top-of-the-line gaming or graphics work, you’ll want a 32″ 4K OLED/QD-OLED, 240Hz+ monitor from ASUS ROG, LG UltraGear, Alienware, or Samsung Odyssey. Pair that with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 for the highest-end gaming, 3D rendering, video editing, and graphics workloads. AMD’s Radeon RX 9070 XT is another high-end option. For serious creative/graphics users, OLED provides excellent contrast, color, and image quality, while the high refresh rate makes these displays excellent for gaming as well.
Headphones and Headsets
Ever since companies started introducing open office layouts, employees everywhere have cursed them. No privacy, constant noise and distractions… Let’s just say that noise-cancelling headphones are not just for air travel anymore. They can be a real lifesaver when it comes to working in noisy environments. Whether you need to attend a Zoom call or edit an audio track, a good quality headset can be one of the best investments you make.
Nerdy Recommendation: Jabra, Poly, or Logitech are your go-to for Zoom/Teams users. Make sure you choose one with high microphone quality and noise cancellation. For music and sound editing, you have a few options:
- Audio-Technica ATH-M50x – great all-around choice for vocals, instruments, production, and general studio monitoring.
- Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 80Ω – extremely comfortable and excellent for long recording sessions.
- Sony MDR-7506 – classic studio workhorse; lighter, less expensive, and particularly good for monitoring vocals and details.
Projectors
Generally speaking, if you need to use a projector, the room where you use it will dictate what you need. Consider the size, brightness, projector placement (distance from screen, elevation, mounting, etc.) and then decide what the projector will be used for (business or entertainment?) as a starting point. Are you setting up a dedicated projector that will stay in one room, or do you need something small and portable for when you’re on the go? Size and weight will be important parameters to keep in mind, both for travel and for wall/ceiling mounting. And don’t forget connectivity! If your projector is wireless, make sure it doesn’t require you to download any special software to connect to your computer. If it’s wired, make sure you have proper cables to support both PC and MAC devices.
Nerdy Recommendation: Epson and BenQ are both solid brands for projectors.
A Word of Caution
Regardless of the type of gadget you’re looking for, you will find dozens of options at various outlets online. Keep in mind that off-brand or unknown-brand electronics may be cheaper but you get what you pay for. If you’re considering one of these items, do your homework so you know what you’re getting. Don’t just rely on product reviews. Check the specs to make sure the gadget will work with your existing computer type, setup, and software. Look up the brand online and then look up consumer reports or other 3rd party product reviews to see if it will fit your needs before you buy.
Need Help?
Buying one gadget or set of gadgets is easy. But when you need to equip an entire company, things get a little more complicated. If your current business hardware setup needs an upgrade, we can help. Give us a shout and schedule a free consultation. We’ll work with you to make sure you get the right equipment for your needs and budget.