Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: Any piece of hardware that was more of game changer than you expected?

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

501–510 of 592 posts

Re: Ask HN: Any piece of hardware that was more of game changer than you expected?

#501

Post by yurishimo »

mateuszf wrote: post #235
logicalmonster wrote: post #125

Open ear headphones that use what they describe as bone conduction technology really added some value to my life. It's tough to go running in normal headphones because you can't hear danger (cars, animals, people, etc) but it's a lot easier to push yourself with some good background music. This gives the best of both worlds.

> It's tough to go running in normal headphones because you can't hear danger There are some noise reducing headphones (like Airpods Pro or Sony Wh-1000xm*) which have ambient mode - mixing music with external noises which also work great for that scenario.

AirPods transparency mode isn’t as good. Idk if mine are broken or what, but if the volume is above 50% I still can’t hear anything. Comfortable listening volume for me is about 75%. That said, I do like using the AirPods while riding my motorcycle.

Re: Ask HN: Any piece of hardware that was more of game changer than you expected?

#503

Post by jcrben »

Havoc wrote: post #442
jcrben wrote: post #296

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A warning: the cheap air monitors don't monitor particle count, just CO2. If you're allergic to pollen you expose yourself to it by opening windows. I've had to help a couple friends who used this and ended up sneezing and sniffling like crazy. I have the Dylos monitor which does monitor particle count so you can see it drop when your air filter is working https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08F2YM8SM/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_.…

You really don't need a 270 usd device for particle count. A PM2.5 particle count sensor is like 25 bucks and temp/humidity/pressure another 10, so you can DIY this quite cheaply with a raspberry if so inclined. https://www.amazon.com/WINGONEER%C2%AE-Precision-Quality-Det... https://www.amazon.com/bobotron-Compatible-Temperature-Atmos...

Good point. I think you can get them embedded in consumer devices for pretty cheap lately; I bought the Dylos about a decade ago.

Re: Ask HN: Any piece of hardware that was more of game changer than you expected?

#504

Post by jonahbenton »

Havoc wrote: post #442
jcrben wrote: post #296

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A warning: the cheap air monitors don't monitor particle count, just CO2. If you're allergic to pollen you expose yourself to it by opening windows. I've had to help a couple friends who used this and ended up sneezing and sniffling like crazy. I have the Dylos monitor which does monitor particle count so you can see it drop when your air filter is working https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08F2YM8SM/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_.…

You really don't need a 270 usd device for particle count. A PM2.5 particle count sensor is like 25 bucks and temp/humidity/pressure another 10, so you can DIY this quite cheaply with a raspberry if so inclined. https://www.amazon.com/WINGONEER%C2%AE-Precision-Quality-Det... https://www.amazon.com/bobotron-Compatible-Temperature-Atmos...

I have both the Dylos and other sensors. The Dylos is a very sensitive instrument that reports raw counts every second. There is no smoothing, no translation to PM2.5 scale. For the paranoid type it works REALLY WELL for providing direct feedback on the impact of an air filter- or on the impact even of minor contractor work. PM 2.5 sensors- quality ones- have their place. But the difference is kind of like the difference between reading labels and following FDA guidelines on nutrient intake vs getting a blood screen. Sometimes you want the blood screen. Dylos is a good device for that.

Re: Ask HN: Any piece of hardware that was more of game changer than you expected?

#505

Post by hfourm »

darkteflon wrote: post #449
nonplus wrote: post #433

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Obligatory reply about linear (silent) cherry switches existing but mostly here to say I'm glad you found a keyboard you like. I think that's the takeaway I try to give people on input devices. Just get something you like and don't worry about what everyone else likes.

I’d never admit to it on HN, but my favourite keyboard for non-gaming stuff is Apple’s Magic Keyboard 2, tenkeyless version.

Checkout logitechs low profile mechanical gaming keyboard, the tkl is rather pricey but I much prefer it

Re: Ask HN: Any piece of hardware that was more of game changer than you expected?

#506

Post by toastal »

A colorimeter.

I bought a ColorMunki a few years back to correct the overly blue display on my only Razer Blade and it fixed so many issues with my photography and having color discussions with my designer--giving me the confidence to know it's not my screen that was the problem. I've since had friends borrow it and even TN panels can really use the color improvement. I've also used it to correct hotel TV color recently and you'd be amazed at how much of difference it can make. I know it's a WIP, but the color management in Wayland cannot come soon enough to me.

Re: Ask HN: Any piece of hardware that was more of game changer than you expected?

#507

Post by niftywhip »

jcarpio wrote: post #333

Some great answers here. Mine: Air Pods Pro. Takes the edge off of traffic and other city noises while walking around. Makes it easier to consume audiobooks/podcasts. Plane/bus/train trips++. Wool pants, shorts (with gussets) and boxer briefs (Wool and Prince). Gussets make movement easier (walking) and wool pants/shorts go longer between washes. BB can be hand washed in sinks while traveling and dry quickly. Bonus,…

+1 on Air Pods Pro. Sometimes all you want is quiet, and these are a step function in ease of access to less sound.

Re: Ask HN: Any piece of hardware that was more of game changer than you expected?

#508

Post by omnipath »

Dishwasher. Never really had one growing up, and never managed to rent an apartment with one, or one that worked. I'm now finally in a place with a working dishwasher, and it makes life so much easier. I don't feel guilty about not doing dishes immediately after using them (I only have a set for 2, so if I don't clean it immediately, I'll quickly run out of usable dishes in a day.)

Folding Shopping Carts. Literally only had a car for the past 3 years so I could go grocery shopping (Before pandemic, took train to work. Parking wasn't free.) Now that I live in a place near a grocery store, I purchased a shopping cart, and don't really need the car anymore, which I sold last year. So, I don't care about gas prices, don't have to worry about maintenance, no insurance, and most importantly, I don't have to worry about parking!

Re: Ask HN: Any piece of hardware that was more of game changer than you expected?

#509

Post by santa_boy »

If it qualifies, Apple M1 series has been a real game changer for me. Its doesn't interrupt my thought process due to computing overload. Very rarely hangs and makes my idea to implementation and visual feedback process very seamless.

My productivity is up so much that I bought two M1s (one for office and one for home)

Re: Ask HN: Any piece of hardware that was more of game changer than you expected?

#510

Post by sofixa »

bikingbismuth wrote: post #99
sofixa wrote: post #45

* an Onyx Boox Nova Air. It's an Android tablet with an e-ink display which i use mainly for reading web articles and RSS feeds, although I've tried the note taking ( with stylus and OCR) and it's fine, but not really my thing ( I like taking notes with my keyboard). * A small waterproof speaker for the bathroom which i use to listen to short podcasts ( like Revolutions by Mike Duncan, in the 20-30 minute range) duri…

Bathroom speaker has been definite life improved for me. Side note: I try to find ones that don’t have really annoying “my battery is low” noises. I had one that played this terrible bell sound and it destroyed my morning vibe.

I'll definitely look into that next time I'm buying one ( the current one's battery is no longer in great shape), the beeps are very annoying and long.
Post reply on HN