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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?

#21

Post by mncharity »

ja27 wrote: post #15

I wouldn't have thought they were lesser-known, but I've been surprised how many people don't know about today's cheap portable external monitors. They're essentially laptop panels with a USB-C+HDMI board. $100-$150-ish and easily found in 15.6" and 13-14", 1080p or 2K. All the ones I've tried have 2 USB-C ports, mini-HDMI, and speakers. This all depends on what USB-C ports your machine actually has and the right USB…

I've enjoyed magnetic usb c adapters (20 pin - I've not tried a newer 24 pin adapter).

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

#22

Post by cmpalmer52 »

I use a 60% keyboard that doesn’t even have dedicated arrow keys. My caps-lock is configured as the Fn key and, when it’s held down, the JKLI letters are the arrow keys. This (and other macros) are actually really convenient when you get used to them. Unfortunately, it’s hard for me to type on “normal” keyboards because when I end up tiYping thinks like that. My keyboard is a Mistel MD600 split.

My favorite unusual accessory is a little 9 key mechanical auxiliary keyboard. I programmed it to be my debug keyboard with all of key combos for my IDEs debugger - run, stop, pause, next, step over/into, set breakpoints, etc. it saves a lot of time (or seems like it does).

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

#23

Post by matthew28845 »

coder4life wrote: post #5

Lighted USB volume knob - they're inexpensive, the large aluminum knob is on a sturdy base, can be pressed down for mute. ReMarkable2 e-ink tablet -- okay, it's a standalone device, but interfaces to the computer in cool ways (like screen sharing), and it's changed my life as far as note-taking goes

The ReMarkable is so tempting but so expensive. It's just hard to stomach spending $500 at a minumum for the tablet + folio + stylus when I could have an iPad (a gimped base model one, but still) for the same price

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

#24

Post by capableweb »

rolph wrote: post #14
HackeNewsFan234 wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Two mice at the same time? Do you use one with your feet? Do have one for each hand? Tell us more!

one for each hand, it takes getting used to and i have hunch it changes you, neurologically

Guessing you have two cursors as well?

I moved the opposite way and got rid of my mouse for my desktop computer, so everything (except 3D work that is done with a drawing tablet) is done with the keyboard. Web browsing was the hardest to start doing without a mouse...

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

#27

Post by mattpallissard »

zwayhowder wrote: post #8

Left handed trackball (Elecom). Sits to the left of my Moonlander while my vertical mouse sits to the right. Not only is it convenient, as an old school Diablo player I get to tell people I duel wield. I also have a cheap X-Pen graphics tablet that I use for ‘white boarding’ on zoom calls. Almost forgot I also have a usb wireless numpad that I pair with a usb hid remapped on a pi zero to make hot keys for frequent ac…

+1 on the trackball.

When I travel I wind up working in all sorts of odd setups. No need to find a flat place to move a mouse. It works in tight places and uneven surfaces such as a couch.

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

#28

Post by Molomby »

pabloescobyte wrote: post #17
ja27 wrote: post #15

I wouldn't have thought they were lesser-known, but I've been surprised how many people don't know about today's cheap portable external monitors. They're essentially laptop panels with a USB-C+HDMI board. $100-$150-ish and easily found in 15.6" and 13-14", 1080p or 2K. All the ones I've tried have 2 USB-C ports, mini-HDMI, and speakers. This all depends on what USB-C ports your machine actually has and the right USB…

What is the contrast/brightness like with these? I've always wanted one for working with two screens on the go but the ones I've seen in public never seemed to get bright enough. In a cafe or other bright environment they seem to reflect everything around them similar to the way my MacBook screen does which makes it hard to see anything. I'm speaking only from limited time seeing them from afar though--I've not actua…

It's bad. I have a ASUS MB16AHP (claiming a brightness of 220cd/㎡, contrast ratio 700:1) and yeah, in a brightly lit room viewing can be difficult. It's ok under normal office lighting but you'll be out of luck if you have sunlight flooding in. I've been searching for a brighter option but most (all?) the current offerings seem to be based on the same or similar internals.

Still, it's a useful device while traveling – nice to be able to plop a decent multi-monitor setup out of a backpack. My model also has a micro HDMI port (and an internal battery) which can be handy if you need a temporary screen for a Raspberry Pi or a machine that usually runs headless.

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

#29

Post by brokenmachine »

shae wrote: post #3

I use a board with 32 RGB LEDs to show process status: https://github.com/shapr/bloohm If you ever have multiple hour long builds and/or test suites running, this is is a big help.

Cool idea.

> time $* && fin || die

I don't know zsh, but this doesn't look escaped properly to me? Bash has so many footguns.

What does the bloom filter do? Is it sort of like a hash to try to make each process show up on a different LED on the display?

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

#30

Post by pedrogpimenta »

hot_gril wrote: post #20

I use a laptop with zero accessories, which is unusual in of itself for SWE.

I have been doing that for years as a nomad of sorts, but it kills your back. I recently bought a small keyboard so I can get a better posture and I recommend you so the same.
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