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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?

#731

Post by mikestew »

theshrike79 wrote: post #276
vladvasiliu wrote: post #212

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This. Never had any issue with my wireless headphones, but Teams insists on picking random outputs and inputs even from one call to the next. The only logic I've found is that it prefers devices that handle both input and output. So, it works OK with my combined headphones + mic, but if I want to use my external dedicated mic + headphones without mic, I have to fiddle with the settings whenever I join a new call.

Teams and Goole Meet have the worst UX for switching inputs and outputs. Dunno why they still insist on not doing in properly. On Zoom changing either is literally a click away. AND you can test your mic while already on a call so you can listen while you fix your setup.

Yeah, and then Teams recently went out of its way to ask, "what if we buried Device Settings one more layer down the menu hierarchy?"

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

#732

Post by modeless »

lifty wrote: post #449
Eisenstein wrote: post #419

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

Thanks for the heads up. This is a useful warning, as the magnetic adapters seem attractive, but they are not worth it if they risk frying your device.

They're worth it if the risk is small and the device is relatively cheap and low power (5v charging). I'm not going to use these on my MacBook or phone with fast charging but I'll use them on my gamepad and headphones no problem. And I use them for charging only, not data.

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

#733

Post by wtk »

newfie_bullet wrote: post #722
wtk wrote: post #619

(not all are computer peripherals, but other comments seem wider than initial criteria) * whiteboard placed on a painting easel next to my desk (when I don't use whiteboard, I can use the easel it to paint acrylic) - about 90x120 cm. I put my tasks for work, but also pick exercises with checkbox to do during the day. * AKAI mpk mini - when tired of work, can jump over to Ableton like software and relax * MX Master 3S…

Just picked up a MX Master 3S recently. Big thing I love is that you can use it on up to 3 devices, so I can have it on my MacBook for work and then click to setting 2 and switch to the usb dongle on my gaming PC - no need for extra mice/cords!

Thing of beauty:)

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

#734

Post by joshipras »

I work from home as a Data Scientist and I am a standup comedian on the side. I have a standing desk with dual monitors. KVM Switch has been a game changer for my productivity. When I have some downtime in my job, I can immediately switch to my personal laptop to work on my personal projects and comedy.

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

#735

Post by phil294 »

Tepix wrote: post #563

Here's something i've tried but it didn't work out : - Using an Onyx Boox Max Lumi 13.3 eInk display as external laptop monitor to work outside. Too much ghosting.

did you put it directly into sunlight or was the screen itself put in shadow? (makes a huge difference afaik)

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

#736

Post by mrguyorama »

RobotToaster wrote: post #492
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…

I use wired headphones (ATH-M50x) with a boom microphone cable, no worries about batteries or dongles.

But how do you get up and walk across your house to your fridge to get a snack in the middle of a meeting without missing any of the meeting?

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

#737

Post by zh3 »

wink wrote: post #699
shortrounddev wrote: post #531

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I used to work for a company whose core product took forever to build (in maven) but we had to build it all the time. A coworker hooked up a USB LED traffic light to his macbook and wrote a driver for it that would display yellow when building, green when successfully built, and red when there were errors.

Two companies ago we had an actual old traffic light hooked up to that, but that was maybe a bit over the top.

I have a giant knife switch bolted to what looks like a thick slate base, which (reportedly, according to ebay seller) used to operate a lift in a goldmine in Colorado. Long term plan is to mount it to the wall, so when I leave the office at night I can throw this big old switch and turn everything off.

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

#738

Post by ciberado »

shortrounddev wrote: post #578
benhurmarcel wrote: post #562

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The point is that this way arrow keys are right under your hand when you're typing.

Yeah but you have to hold down some kind of fn key to make them work

I used to think the same, but once you get used to it, you cannot go back to regular arrow keys. Probably a DFJK combo would be better than HIJK (because H forces me to move my finger from the middle row). But still is way better than the most common layout. And, yes, I delete with alt+D and alt+F :)

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

#739

Post by kfarr »

joshschreuder wrote: post #274
domrdy wrote: post #229

A Tidbyt: https://tidbyt.com/ It's next to my computer, and I use it for notifications and smaller dashboards: https://github.com/tidbyt/community

Is there anything like this but... not as nice? (and not as expensive) I wouldn't mind having something like this to mess around on but not for $180 USD

Yes! This one is half the price, but a bit more fiddling is required: https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/cosmic-unicorn
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