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Ask HN: What lesser-known accessories do you use with your computer?

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Re: Ask HN: What lesser-known accessories do you use with your computer?

#271

Post by archarios »

entropicgravity wrote: post #267

Mx Ergo (by Logitech) is far and away the best "mouse" for me and probably for you. It only takes about two hours to transfer your motor skills of regular mouse to the Mx Ergo. Because this "thumb ball" mouse only involves your thumb to work the mouse you won't get the full wrist, shoulder and neck pain that you can get from a normal mouse. If you have any kind of arm pain then check this out.

If you're having those issues, please address the underlying problem instead of thinking that having the perfect ergonomic setup will fix your body. Getting up from the desk each day and getting some physical activity in will help your body a lot more in the long run.

Re: Ask HN: What lesser-known accessories do you use with your computer?

#272

Post by theshrike79 »

entropicgravity wrote: post #267

Mx Ergo (by Logitech) is far and away the best "mouse" for me and probably for you. It only takes about two hours to transfer your motor skills of regular mouse to the Mx Ergo. Because this "thumb ball" mouse only involves your thumb to work the mouse you won't get the full wrist, shoulder and neck pain that you can get from a normal mouse. If you have any kind of arm pain then check this out.

I use an external touchpad instead of a mouse for the same reason. Zero wrist problems + I get the extra efficiency from gestures.

Re: Ask HN: What lesser-known accessories do you use with your computer?

#273

Post by sufehmi »

proactivesvcs wrote: post #174

A mousepad. I don't often see them used by people with mice any more and stopped suggesting them since almost everyone turned down the idea.

I used to own the original 3M gaming mouse pad.

It felt amazing, just a bliss to use everyday. Sturdy, it was abused everyday yet showed no sign of any damage. It just works - it does not move from its place, felt rock solid, yet very thin. It always looks clean; they say that there are microscopic ridges designed to trap dirt etc, so it stays clean, yet cleanable.

Small things - but everything adds up, making it the superior mousepad.

I have yet to find a mousepad capable of all those.

Sadly lost it when I moved abroad.

Your comment made me remember this - so I looked around. Turned out now there's 3M Precise mouse pad - however, there are quite some negative comments. Too bad.

Tried to look for that old 3M mousepad instead - no luck so far. Sigh.

Currently using a hard metallic mousepad, it's almost as good, except that it looks dirty rather quickly.

Re: Ask HN: What lesser-known accessories do you use with your computer?

#274

Post by joshschreuder »

domrdy wrote: post #229

A Tidbyt: https://tidbyt.com/ It's next to my computer, and I use it for notifications and smaller dashboards: https://github.com/tidbyt/community

Is there anything like this but... not as nice? (and not as expensive) I wouldn't mind having something like this to mess around on but not for $180 USD

Re: Ask HN: What lesser-known accessories do you use with your computer?

#275

Post by vxNsr »

Turskarama wrote: post #97
me-vs-cat wrote: post #69

VR headset, swivel chair, and 270° of screens. What's bigger than ultra-wide? I use both a Quest 2 (running Immersed on Linux) and a Valve Index (running Virtual Desktop on Windows).

Bigger, yes, but much lower resolution.

Yea, I've been really temped to try something like this for travel but I don't wanna spend the $500 for potential disappointment, what is the real resolution?

Re: Ask HN: What lesser-known accessories do you use with your computer?

#276

Post by theshrike79 »

vladvasiliu wrote: post #212
lmm wrote: post #193

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sadly with today's auto-detecting OSes I've more than once found my audio output setting itself to speakers, or worse, to my monitor (which doesn't and has never had speakers, but that doesn't seem to matter).

This. Never had any issue with my wireless headphones, but Teams insists on picking random outputs and inputs even from one call to the next. The only logic I've found is that it prefers devices that handle both input and output. So, it works OK with my combined headphones + mic, but if I want to use my external dedicated mic + headphones without mic, I have to fiddle with the settings whenever I join a new call.

Teams and Goole Meet have the worst UX for switching inputs and outputs. Dunno why they still insist on not doing in properly.

On Zoom changing either is literally a click away. AND you can test your mic while already on a call so you can listen while you fix your setup.

Re: Ask HN: What lesser-known accessories do you use with your computer?

#278

Post by themodelplumber »

Brajeshwar wrote: post #194
hipplec wrote: post #75

I have a heating pad under my keyboard which keeps my hands warm in the winter. Was like $20 on amazon, and I can't even begin to describe how amazing it is, since I was really tired of always having a mug of hot water / tea / coffee to hold and didn't want to keep the heat on my house super high when I could just wear a sweatshirt and be fine except my fingers.

Is there a device that does the opposite -- something to keep your hand cool? It is getting hotter and sweaty in India.

I use a USB fan and a small mister/spray bottle of water. I spray my forearms periodically (top of hands are fine too I guess) and this creates more of a cooling effect from the fan.

It's also nice to have a wet cooling towel for the neck, I find...I tried one of those dual neck-mount fans as well, and while it wasn't bad, when it broke I didn't feel it was good enough to replace.

There are lots of whole-body tricks as well, from extra hydration (at least 100 oz. daily here in summer) to sitting on a cushion with more air flow...good luck.

Re: Ask HN: What lesser-known accessories do you use with your computer?

#279

Post by joshschreuder »

rektide wrote: post #187
xupybd wrote: post #154

I use a Kinesis advantage keyboard. It's expensive and ugly but comfortable. I would not go back to another keyboard ever again. Have a look at this review https://www.anandtech.com/show/7125/kinesis-advantage-review...

I came from using two Microsoft Natural keyboards at once, as my "split" keyboard. I eventually upgraded to a Kinesis FreeStyle 2. I've tried some ortholinear keyboards but hated hated hated every minute of it. I'm back on the FreeStyle 2 at work and a newer FreeStyle Edge at home.

I have a Freestyle Edge as well and highly recommend it.

Re: Ask HN: What lesser-known accessories do you use with your computer?

#280

Post by vxNsr »

anotherlab wrote: post #135

UPS that can run my PC, monitors, USB hub for 10-30 minutes. I rarely have power outages, but when I do have one it's a non-event Cheap boom arm for the webcam. Stream Deck makes it was to quickly control audio and lights and aps Tourbox makes it easy to edit video Elgato Keylight Airs for video calls Neumi powered speakers. Corsair K100 keyboard. I love the feel and being able to disabled the capslock key Logitech M…

have you tried actually running the pc and everything for 30 min on the battery? I also have a UPS that claims a certain wattage and the one time I tried it, it seemed to be losing power very quickly even when I only had my router and modem on it.
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