Caldigit TSM3 - It's a usb hub + all sorts of other cables connect into it. You can then connect one cable to your mac and have everything boot up each time you reach your desk. It's expensive but worth it.
Ask HN: What lesser-known accessories do you use with your computer?
161–170 of 853 posts
Re: Ask HN: What lesser-known accessories do you use with your computer?
#162I 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 a…
Re: Ask HN: What lesser-known accessories do you use with your computer?
#163Not much is less known in the tech world, so I use as a dock the CalDigit TS3 Plus, connected to two external mechanical keyboards, the blue yeti mic with wired headphones, a Logitech MX vertical mouse, and a huge monitor with a simple ring light and a webcam on top. My favorite headphones throughout the pandemic were the Drop THX pandas, but they broke a month ago and I haven’t fixed them yet, so now I use the Monol…
I got that thunderbolt dock for my work MacBook, and now that I own a steam deck I wish I had gotten a USBC hub instead. The dock is great, just doesn’t work with the steam deck, so I can’t swap devices quickly.
Re: Ask HN: What lesser-known accessories do you use with your computer?
#164Re: Ask HN: What lesser-known accessories do you use with your computer?
#165Not much is less known in the tech world, so I use as a dock the CalDigit TS3 Plus, connected to two external mechanical keyboards, the blue yeti mic with wired headphones, a Logitech MX vertical mouse, and a huge monitor with a simple ring light and a webcam on top. My favorite headphones throughout the pandemic were the Drop THX pandas, but they broke a month ago and I haven’t fixed them yet, so now I use the Monol…
I got that thunderbolt dock for my work MacBook, and now that I own a steam deck I wish I had gotten a USBC hub instead. The dock is great, just doesn’t work with the steam deck, so I can’t swap devices quickly.
Re: Ask HN: What lesser-known accessories do you use with your computer?
#166Earlier quoted context omitted.
Couldn't agree more. Upvoting for visibility.
Why do stage musicians use wireless microphones? Is it because they have a hatred strictly for aesthetic reasons? Nobody said you can’t use your damn wired mouse if it makes you happy - but latency is not an actual reason to prefer a wired mouse. > Again, wireless can be superior, but only when you are deliberately cherry-picking the least efficient wired setup to compare to the most efficient wireless setup, just li…
Re: Ask HN: What lesser-known accessories do you use with your computer?
#167- Three 2K screens - 23 to 25" (2560x1440). 3 of these have more usable pixels than a 4K. I have used 3 monitors so long that breaking work into screen 1/2/3 becomes a quick and helpful thing. I don't always use the third but have told people if I'm having a 3 monitor day, to keep on sliding by.
- MIC: I am heard better by sounding the clearest. I recently bought the best wired mic headset I could find. Steelseries Tusq for $50. Voice quality has been through the roof and close to the best, to the point that almost every call someone is asking me what I'm using. Won't cancel noise, but good otherwise.
- SOUND DAC: Soundblaster G3 - Makes good sound even better. Optionally adds the ability to output to both headphones and speakers. Handier than I thought it would be. Also allows cleaning up your voice with a pre-set and outputting it through a "Creative Microphone". Works great. I had my eyes on a nicer one but don't see myself getting rid of this.
- WEBCAM: Logitech Brio 4K - Clearest low maintenance 4k image wins. Lots of other options emerging, but this one whether I'm sitting in the dark, monitor bias lights or have my overhead light on adjusts quickly enough. I like that it has it's own onboard electronics to do image smoothing or it's other features so zoom doesn't clog.. It's mic isn't bad as well in a pinch.
- AC Infinity Cabinet Fans - Quiet fans placed underneath any Apple or other laptops that are unable to manage their thermal selves. One is up at an angle and draws air away, and the other blows across. I like it enough that I would cut a hole out in my desk with the fans inserted and let the air blow down. Can be dremeled and put into ikea lapdesk laptop holders. Especially helpful for i9 laptops. Quiet.
- Heated desk mat. Use on floor as well if the floor is cold, or get a dedicated one for that.
Edit: added a few more.
Re: Ask HN: What lesser-known accessories do you use with your computer?
#168Earlier quoted context omitted.
>Also I’ve never seen a networking over powerline system that worked better than Wi-Fi. Not all conductive paths are effective for signals. although I agree that powerline networking is garbage, I have encountered older construction houses that create an environment that is just about impossible to conquer without specialist wireless equipment. passive blocking via exotic wall materials, older drywall and fairing com…
> A performer will usually prefer not to drag wires around a stage just from the sheer physical discomfort from the additional weight and the worry of a trip hazard on an already hazardous stage. eh — this is not a “purely” aesthetic or superficial difference, which was the foolishness I was replying to: “Wired is ALWAYS the objectively superior option in all metrics except for superficial & subjective "aesthetics",…
Re: Ask HN: What lesser-known accessories do you use with your computer?
#169I use a small USB switcher box to let me control my personal machine and my work machine at the same desk. I also use a keyboard that lets me flip a switch to change between Mac/Windows layouts. It has been very helpful to let me cleanly separate work from leisure, without having to give up the ergonomics of my desk setup. The friction to switch is low enough that I don't feel tempted to keep work related stuff on my…
I use Microsoft Garage Mouse Without Borders[1] to control my old and new PC with one mouse/keyboard. Works over WiFi flawlessly for me. All you have to do is move the mouse cursor towards the monitor with the other computer(s) and it automatically switches. [1]: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=354...
Re: Ask HN: What lesser-known accessories do you use with your computer?
#170Earlier quoted context omitted.
A good number of these mouse show a difference of 0.2 ms betwen wired & wireless. That's one frame at 500fps. As you say, there are so many other factors that radically dwarf this transport concern. It's hard to take this as a discussion when people protest so vehemently against such a tiny figure, when it's such a small factor. Also griefing about battery seem like horseshit too. I have a travel mouse with a single…
I agree, the real world difference is negligible.
Slower? Not really, not according to the links already shared. Less bandwidth? My headphones, my mouse, my keyboard are nowhere near their practical limits over wireless. Higher latency? I just cited 0.2ms, which seems absurd to grumble over. Higher error rate? This is not a problem I've ever experienced. More prone to interference? Literally never seen an issue. There's just no real solid reports on this being an issue. It's not seen with any statistical significance in real reviews.
Higher power requirements? Yes, having some awareness of batteries is required, but if you set things up (slash most devices are set up) to not be caught unprepared it's a remarkable low-toil system. Most devices can charge themselves. Most will operate for a week without charge. The only problem is being a total newb who doesn't have any handle at all, who gets caught out unprepared in the cold, by having absolutely no indicators & no warning. Once you actually start trying to use these devices, once you actually start looking at the battery level, the power concern is remarkably low issue.