Ask HN: Best WFH Purchases? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Best WFH Purchases?

#101

Post by benjiweber » Mon, Aug 28, 2023, 9:12 AM UTC

gaws wrote: post #93

benjiweber wrote: post #22

Some of the things that make most difference to me * Teleprompter so you can look at camera and the person you're talking to at the same time. Significantly reduces zoom fatigue for me. * A bright key light. As well as meaning you can be seen on camera I've found it significantly improves my mood having a bright light in front of me that's diffuse enough to not dazzle. * Bone conduction headphones are significantly m…

> Teleprompter so you can look at camera and the person you're talking to at the same time. Significantly reduces zoom fatigue for me. Do you recommend a specific brand?

I don't have much to recommend one over another. I have a Neewer, with a cheap hdmi screen attached in mirrored mode.

Re: Ask HN: Best WFH Purchases?

#102

Post by GordonAShumway » Mon, Aug 28, 2023, 2:42 PM UTC

mtlynch wrote: post #11

Someone1234 wrote: post #4

"Real" Chair (Steelcase / Herman Miller) and four-legged standing desk (better stability). Plus a handheld "mouse" (ELECOM Relacon) so when I'm reading I can stand differently or do light movement/exercise. Blowing $2.5K on a desk + chair is a lot, but also not a lot depending on your perspective.

I second the recommendation of Steelcase. I bought my Steelcase Leap chair five years ago, and it's still rock solid and has no noticeable wear. My wife recently decided to buy one too, and she got hers refurbished from a company called BTOD. I was impressed with the quality. It was indistinguishable from mine (which I bought new) and cost half the price.

The leap is an awesome chair. Plus you can get it sized down if you’re a petite person.

Re: Ask HN: Best WFH Purchases?

#103

Post by GordonAShumway » Mon, Aug 28, 2023, 2:47 PM UTC

hnbear wrote: post #92

Aside from the obvious good desk, chair and monitor(s). I like a laptop, so a good dock is really nice to move between desk with full desktop experience and couch for more relaxed work. Good headset or speakers+mic. Make sure the audio on calls is good. Especially if there’s noise around you really good headphones help so much. Sets with a good mic are harder to find. My QC35s were amazing but the mic picked up noise…

It’s funny, but the balance board makes it possible for me to stand for quite a while with no trouble. I think it’s because I’m constantly shifting my weight.

Re: Ask HN: Best WFH Purchases?

#104

Post by mtlynch » Mon, Aug 28, 2023, 7:40 PM UTC

thaumasiotes wrote: post #96

mtlynch wrote: post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hard to say. I can't find any explanation of the differences between v1 and v2. I bought mine in April 2018 from Amazon, and my receipt just says, "Steelcase Leap, Black" with no version.

https://www.btod.com/blog/steelcase-leap-v1-vs-v2/ The Leap 1 has a small back. The Leap 2 is much taller. If you bought yours new in 2018, it'll be a 2, since apparently the 2 was introduced in 2006.

Ah, that's helpful, thanks! I do indeed have the Leap 2.

Re: Ask HN: Best WFH Purchases?

#105

Post by 0xbadc0de5 » Tue, Aug 29, 2023, 1:25 PM UTC

thiht wrote: post #62

0xbadc0de5 wrote: post #44

A 42" 4k TV to use as a monitor. Big upgrade over two monitors.

Is that even usable? I don’t really understand how that would work in real condition. Maybe with a tiling desktop manager?

Better than usable, it's a game-changer - which is why I recommended it. 4k resolution really only makes sense on monitors 40" and larger, imho.

Re: Ask HN: Best WFH Purchases?

#106

Post by [deleted] » Tue, Aug 29, 2023, 3:53 PM UTC

Tomte wrote: post #38

A cat. Any time I get annoyed, I stand up, walk to the living room, and pet the cat. Instant drop in blood pressure.

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Best WFH Purchases?

#107

Post by irongeek » Tue, Aug 29, 2023, 7:15 PM UTC

breckenedge wrote: post #42

I have a treadmill that I added a desk to (scrap lumber that I velcroed to the handles), along with a 50” TV about 1m away that I use as an external monitor. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/nbt9sdnszcpe9ruk1a9gj/IMG_089... I get about 3-6hrs on the treadmill each day at about 2-2.5mph. I like using it much more than my standing desk. I find that I sleep much better now and have a lot more energy.

I have had been WFH since 2008 and I recommend adding a treadmill to whatever standing desk you choose. I also agree with keeping it cheap, unless you have a reason you cannot stand or walk I would skip the expensive chair. I have a cheap drafting chair I maybe sit in an hour a day, usually later afternoon. Otherwise I am churning 4-6 hours on the treadmill, walking feels loads better than standing. You can find a reasonably priced standing desk on Amazon for less than $200 and there are numerous options for treadmills now that can easily be moved from under the desk if you want. Just read the reviews, many of the desks on there are very sturdy. Also agree with putting your workspace away from where you mostly live. If you do not do this, you will end up working more than you should. The whole bro thing of hustling and putting work above having a life will just burn you out.

Use the tools that work for you and that you enjoy. I am rocking a Model M from 1987 and a Logitech trackball. I just use my airpods for meetings and like others said, test out how you sound. So many people come into meetings and their volume is either very high or very low.