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

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

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

471–480 of 853 posts

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

#471

Post by moxli »

modeless wrote: post #254
dgunay wrote: post #4

I 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…

Oh yeah I have one of those no name brand USB switching hubs, they are great. Comes with several "illegal" USB-A male to male cables, which I find funny. If your monitor supports it you can also switch inputs from software, and you have a complete KVM setup without the ridiculously expensive KVM box.

I have the same setup and use the following software to send the switch signal to the monitor.

https://github.com/haimgel/display-switch

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

#472

Post by Yizahi »

modeless wrote: post #249
mikesholiu wrote: post #242

Earlier quoted context omitted.

do you have a recommended brand/model?

I'm using a SteelSeries Arctis 1 ($69) and I like it overall. Only minor flaws: the battery life is good but not exceptional (magnetic charging helps), the charge port is micro USB (despite the fact that the dongle is USB-C), the wireless range is good but not exceptional, the shape of the dongle is wide and tends to block nearby ports, but the biggest flaw is the power button which you have to hold down for an etern…

I own SS Arctis 7 (2 gen) and can't really recommend them. 4 out 5 at most. Despite claiming increased ear space they still hurt my ears after prolonged sessions, and rubber headband is also not comfortable over long time. Another minor thing is that low charge notification is raised very late and while it is on it can't be suspended and very annoying. Dull sound, if understand correctly it's for bigger bass response, but for me bass is irrelevant. Controls and features are nice though. Microfon and it's controls are very good. Personally I would not buy Arctis series again, not because it is bad, but because it is not a compelling offer for this price.

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

#473

Post by richrichardsson »

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 have the MX Vertical from them, by far the best mouse I've ever used, bluetooth or proprietary wireless, sensible place for the charging cable to connect (rarely I might add).

I also have the Lift vertical, for use when travelling, but it's not nearly as nice as the MX.

edit: also the Ergo keyboard is fantastic. I can't overstate how using ergonomic keyboard/mouse is important; you're using them basically all day.

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

#474

Post by Findecanor »

raffraffraff wrote: post #386
stn_za wrote: post #219

I have a mouse cable bungee. Particularly useful for twitch based FPS shooters such as Counter Strike, but overall ensures never to get the cable in your way. PS: You don't use wireless for competitive shooters. LAN Cable, cable mouse, etc. See: https://www.amazon.com/Glorious-PC-Gaming-Race-Bungee/dp/B07...

I never knew I needed this... When you're moving your mouse and the cable snags on... "What? What the hell did it snag on this time? AIR???"

All the clutter in that area on the desk...

BTW, I don't use a mouse bungie. The cable hangs from behind the monitor screen.

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

#475

Post by pseudosavant »

Eisenstein wrote: post #419
modeless wrote: post #237

Gaming wireless headphones, not for gaming but for videoconferencing. Bluetooth headphones are universally terrible for videoconferencing because the Bluetooth standard sucks and requires downgrading to telephone audio quality whenever the mic is enabled. Plus terrible latency. Gaming wireless headphones that come with their own dongle completely fix these issues and are perfect for videoconferencing. Someday the Blu…

Don't use magnetic USB adapters. They run a decent risk of frying your device. The USB-C spec was not designed to have the connection broken in that way. You will have no issues 99% of the time, but you will eventually have that time when your device gets fried. It takes a very precise design and a lot of clever engineering to have a high-current power connector with tiny pins be able to break without having the grou…

I use some magnetic tips, but only for all my non-USB-C.

Almost everything I have now uses USB-C. The few micro USB and Lightning devices hanging around don’t have the same high current concerns.

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

#476

Post by brigandish »

cheriot wrote: post #284
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.

I have an older laptop and user Docker for Mac daily. My fingers never get cold!

Try out Colima[0]. I saw someone else mention it on here a few months ago and thought to try it and it's been very good. I did encounter my first problem yesterday so I have moved back to Docker Desktop for now but even if it only worked half the time I'd still suggest it, the memory usage is under a quarter of Docker's offering!

[0] https://github.com/abiosoft/colima

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

#477

Post by sethammons »

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.

Look at the cloud nine split mechanical ergo keyboard. Feels just like a microsoft ergo snd I was able to type full speed immediately. I had to shelve my ergodox ez - just too foreign with moved keys.

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

#479

Post by samuria »

brigandish wrote: post #476
cheriot wrote: post #284

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have an older laptop and user Docker for Mac daily. My fingers never get cold!

Try out Colima[0]. I saw someone else mention it on here a few months ago and thought to try it and it's been very good. I did encounter my first problem yesterday so I have moved back to Docker Desktop for now but even if it only worked half the time I'd still suggest it, the memory usage is under a quarter of Docker's offering! [0] https://github.com/abiosoft/colima

I think the OP actually prefers the heat generated from Docker.
Post reply on HN