After working from home for nearly 10 years, I have gone through quite a few different office configurations and tools. This is a list of things I use every day in my distributed leadership role at 10up and for competitive gaming.
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Display
Dell Alienware 34.1″ Ultrawide LED Monitor
I wanted to find a monitor I could use for both work and gaming. In order to balance a high refresh rate with a need for an ultrawide display, I decided to pick up a Dell Alienware curved 34″ 2k display. While I appreciated having a 4K monitor before, I still have my Macbook Pro retina display for times I need ultra-crisp images and more accurate color reproduction. Overall, I am really happy to have found a solid monitor that makes sense for my setup.
Desk
80″ x 30″ Uplift V2 Standing Desk (Rubberwood)
The Uplift V2 is one of the highest rated sit/stand desks on the market. I wanted the largest desk to maximize surface space (really for all sorts of crap all over the desk). I ended up getting the standard frame rather than the commercial one and it seems extremely solid. Paired with the bamboo top, it was dubbed by Wirecutter the best standing desk on the market. I also grabbed the additional computer case mount to attach my PC under the desk.
Task Chair
Herman-Miller Sayl
Finding the perfect desk chair is a tough proposition. I’ve sat in a few different chairs over the years but nothing has lived up to the Sayl. With its adjustable arm positions and back it has helped make sitting at a desk for long stretches much easier on my aging body. I previously owned a MARKUS chair from IKEA and can safely say this one absolutely destroys it in terms of comfort and build quality.
Windows Keyboard
Durgod Taurus 320 Nebula RGB Mechanical Keyboard
Equipped with MX Cherry silent red switches, this 87-key keyboard is a sturdy, beautiful RGB keyboard. I previously used a 60% Ducky One 2 Mini but wasn’t particularly happy with the size and quality of it. The Durgod addresses all of the shortcomings of the Ducky for me and has been a solid daily driver when I’m in PC mode. I’ve added a few custom keycaps that I’ve picked up over time but it is otherwise unmodified.
Gaming Mouse
Logitech G502 LIGHTSPEED
I have used a wired G502 for quite a while and loved it so much I wanted to keep the same form factor and buttons in a wireless mouse. This mouse is mostly perfect. The only major issue I’ve run into is programming the buttons takes some work and I haven’t yet figured out how to make the settings permanent for all the buttons, just the DPI settings. Regardless, it’s still my favorite mouse.
Gaming Headset
HyperX Cloud Revolver S Gaming Headset
I did some research on the best headset for gaming at a reasonable price and came across these. I bought them after using the cheaper HyperX Cloud Stinger headphones and enjoying their sound. The 7.1 surround is actually extremely helpful in adding detail to first-person shooter audio. It also doesn’t feel like there is a weirdly simulated audio effect like many other headphones. While they are a bit heavier, I appreciate the sturdy build quality and ability to remove the microphone. Overall, 8 out of 10.
Headset Stand
ONEGenug Walnut Headset Stand
With expensive headphones comes the need for something pretty to place them on while not in use. I picked up this walnut headset stand and am extremely happy with how it looks. The only downside is that it is a bit bulky and takes up a decent amount of space on my desk.
Speakers
KRK Rokit 6 Studio Monitors (powered)
The Rokit 6 studio monitors make for some extremely lovely PC speakers. The audio response is flat but dynamic and the form factor is extremely nice. I would love to have smaller speakers but worry that I might lose the amazing detail these powerful little speakers offer.
Audio Interface
Behringer UMC404HD
I use this primarily to send audio to my studio monitors, however, I really love this little audio interface. It comes with MIDAS preamps and passes through a very clear signal any time I’ve recorded instruments or vocals with it. It has the option for +48V phantom power as well.
Microphone
Blue Yeti
I’ve had my trustworthy Blue Yeti for a few years now. Because I am on Zoom calls most of my days, it is important to be able to speak and be heard clearly through the vast interconnected wires of the Internet.. I find many built-in microphones for webcams or EarPods/iPods tend to be inconsistent and low-quality at best. I also don’t love wearing a headset or AirPods for long periods of time. As a result, I settled on the Yeti, using it for both work and gaming. Paired with krisp, I can avoid a lot of background noise even with a sensitive mic like the Yeti.
Webcam
Logitech C922x Pro Stream Webcam
I’ve struggled with finding the right video camera solution for quite some time now. My desire is to have a high quality camera for virtual Zoom meetings, however I do not own a DSLR or a strong desire to shell out $1,000 to acquire one just for calls. I think the C922x Pro does a very good job for a sub-$100 webcam. Though, I do wish it had a slightly better light sensor as the colors can appear blown out in various conditions throughout the day. Looking into other options, I am intrigued by the Logitech Brio (4k webcam) and brand new StreamCam (1080p). My hope is to test each of these cameras and see if they can top the performance of my current model. For now, this one works in most situations and is extremely easy to use.
Macbook Pro Dock
OWC Thunderbolt 3 Dock
This is what I use to connect my Macbook Pro up to power, external display, microphone, wired ethernet, and webcam. While it is extremely nice to have, it tends to be fairly buggy. Not sure if it’s a firmware issue but I have problems with my Macbook Pro waking from sleep and picking up the wired ethernet connection.
Mouse Pad
Cooler Master MP510
It’s a mouse pad. Not exactly the most important computer accessory though I do love this one for three reasons. First, it makes my somewhat heavy Logitech G502 feel lighter than it actually is. The type of material allows the mouse to glide more smoothly, which is great for gaming in particular. Second, it is not heavily branded, which is always a deterrent for me as a designer. And third, it is waterproof, so spills do not absorb into the pad but can be simply wiped off. Overall, for the price, it’s been a solid choice.
Balance Board
Bamboo Motion-X Board by UPLIFT Desk
One of the items I wanted after switching to a standing desk was a balance board. Luckily, when I purchased my Uplift desk, they provided a great one with their Motion-X board. I have enjoyed using this board while working to help reduce fatigue and engage leg and core muscles. Highly recommend.