It’s been over a year since many of us started working from home due to the pandemic, and truth be told — we don’t see things changing anytime in the near future. If you haven’t already adjusted your workspace at home to accommodate your remote working needs, now is the perfect time to get on it. Remote working is a joy for many, but can get challenging if you are not equipped with the right tools, equipment and technology. Today, we have a look at 6 tech essentials that every remote worker needs, so read on to find out more!
- A Working Laptop or Desktop Computer
It goes without saying that a working laptop or desktop computer is an absolute essential for anyone working from home. Pre-pandemic days, it wasn’t that uncommon for many people to simply rely on a tablet or phone at home and to leave the computer work back at the office. Fast forward to current times and a reliable laptop or computer is an absolute home office necessity. Some popular choices include the Apple iMac, Apple Macbook Pro, Microsoft Surface Studio and Dell Optiplex among many others.
- High Quality Printer
The need for a high quality printer has greatly increased with so many people both working and schooling from home. By purchasing a printer for your home office, you’ll be able to print important documents instead of heading out to your local print shop or Officeworks which can be a pain in the bum when you’re dealing with a hectic workload. There are many printers suitable for home offices, but our favourite by far are all-in-one Brother printers that offer not just printing but also photocopying and scanning capabilities.
- A Decent Webcam
Most laptops in 2021 come with an internal webcam, but if you happen to be using a desktop computer, you’ll need to purchase a webcam to enable others to see you during video calls. The challenging part about this is that most external webcams offer incredibly poor image quality unless you’re willing to spend the big bucks on a 4K UltraHD webcam. If you’re like most of us and would rather not spend hundreds on a webcam, another great option is to turn your phone into a fully functional webcam — something that is actually a lot simpler than you’d imagine!
- Headphones To Help You Focus
One of the downsides of remote working is that distractions can be plentiful outside the office, which is why investing in a quality pair of headphones is the best way to tune the rest of the world out. Headphones can help to distract external noise and are incredibly helpful when taking calls or attending virtual meetings. If you’re struggling to find the perfect pair, have a look at this informative article by PCMag.
- Snag An Awesome Keyboard
Working from home entails typing for a good 8 hours which is why investing in an ergonomic keyboard is always encouraged. Of course, everyone’s preferences are going to be different when it comes to the “ideal keyboard”, so be sure to explore your options before making any commitments. We personally love wireless bluetooth keyboards as they are easily paired with both desktop computers and laptops, and are a portable option that you could even bring along with you to your local coffee shop.
- An Ergonomic Office Chair
Okay, so this one isn’t exactly a tech device, but we just couldn’t leave it off the list. Sitting at a desk all day long without adequate lumbar support is almost always a recipe for disaster, which is why we recommend investing in an ergonomic office chair. A high quality office chair offers lumbar and pelvic support which can in turn improve your posture, breathing and reduce levels of fatigue. When choosing the right chair, be sure to pay attention to seat height, width, depth and materials that can all contribute to the overall quality of the chair and the support it offers your back.
Whether it is due to a pandemic or simply the evolution of digital marketplaces, prepping your home office with all the essentials you need to work remotely will ensure that you are able to be as productive as possible, even in the comforts of your own home.
