I'm looking for things that help more than expected or in ways you wouldn't expect. It could be a second monitor, a really good mouse or even a microplane.
Ask HN: Any piece of hardware that was more of game changer than you expected?
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Re: Ask HN: Any piece of hardware that was more of game changer than you expected?
#2This might not be what you want to hear (i.e. too little tech), but here's a list from Bruce Sterling's talk at Reboot 11 (2009) [1] that stuck with me:
* Number one, a bed. You're spending a third of your life in the thing.
* Get a chair. I shouldn't have to tell people who work with computers to get a chair.
* (things that go on your skin like clothes and cosmetics)
* Apart from that, beautiful things, emotional things, tools.
His (minimalist) message is to get rid of everything else.
[1] https://www.wired.com/2011/02/transcript-of-reboot-11-speech...
Re: Ask HN: Any piece of hardware that was more of game changer than you expected?
#31) Got rid of my second monitor and use just one 27” 4K monitor. My neck feels better and I’m less scatter brained.
2) whenever possible, I try to buy used pro/prosumer/premium things. They will usually last for years and years, be more comfortable/pleasurable in use and will be repairable/maintainable when they do break down.
Re: Ask HN: Any piece of hardware that was more of game changer than you expected?
#41) Got rid of my second monitor and use just one 27” 4K monitor. My neck feels better and I’m less scatter brained. 2) whenever possible, I try to buy used pro/prosumer/premium things. They will usually last for years and years, be more comfortable/pleasurable in use and will be repairable/maintainable when they do break down.
> Got rid of my second monitor
Did this also a long time ago. I still have my laptop connected which I flip open to use the webcam occasionally but I feel much more focused using 1 monitor.
Re: Ask HN: Any piece of hardware that was more of game changer than you expected?
#5a) Satechi Dock5 Station - holds and charges your phone, tablet, computer and AirPods. Wake up and everything is charged.
b) Bose Sleepbuds II - comfortable, tiny earbuds that last all night and play white noise or repeating melodies.
c) Anker PowerConf - video conferencing speaker which means you aren't having to fiddle with headphones and the giant red light makes it easy to see when you're muted.
d) Mogics Power Donut - combination travel adapter, power extension board, extension cable and USB hub in one tiny device.
Re: Ask HN: Any piece of hardware that was more of game changer than you expected?
#6Impact driver
Re: Ask HN: Any piece of hardware that was more of game changer than you expected?
#7I really enjoyed getting a mechanical keyboard (Keychron K2), it has a really nice typing experience when compared to membrane keyboards. There's something to the tactile + sound feedback that triggers some emotional response in us, it just feels good.
It also improved my posture a lot from writing on a laptop (but for this objective, any keyboard would do the job ofc).
Re: Ask HN: Any piece of hardware that was more of game changer than you expected?
#8A good coffee machine at home. Unbelievable ROI, one of my favourite purchases.
Re: Ask HN: Any piece of hardware that was more of game changer than you expected?
#9- a wrist support brace: no more wrist pain when using a keyboard/mouse
Re: Ask HN: Any piece of hardware that was more of game changer than you expected?
#10I finally gave in to reality and got reading glasses for coding. Didn't realize how much I was suffering.