Many of us are still working from home. School and college classes are still being held online. For some of us, working from home is the default option. It makes sense to make simplify, streamline and ease the whole process of working from home. Here are some gadgets and accessories that will enhance and ease the work-from-home process.
Working from home means that you have to take your own printouts, scan documents to send them digitally and your own photocopies. Opting for a wireless printer makes it easy to print from the cloud, phone, laptop or PC. One device will do all of this; starting at about Rs. 5k. More expensive ones print faster and may have voice-activated features.
With the number of devices we need to plug in and charge, this one will come in handy. A good power cube features multiple plugs and USB ports for simultaneous electric supply/charging. Look for one with a long cable, switch control and overload protection. A compact size and adhesive strip are also good features to look for.
With so many of us working and/or chatting and having meetings with people in other time zones, this one makes a lot of sense. It saves you the hassle of putting up multiple clocks on the desktop or googling the time in other countries. Plus this is interesting wall décor.
This is something can be used for protection against identity theft. While big offices may have paper shredders, home offices can opt for this compact and affordable option. Simply roll this device over confidential material such as addresses, names, bank statements, tax documents and so on.
Many of us work with desktop PCs which may not be equipped with a webcam. A standalone webcam can be a great idea for those Zoom meetings so that you don’t have to rely on a handheld device. Look for one with fast streaming, HD, wide adjustable field of view, light correction and noise reducing features.
Experts recommend that we shouldn’t remain seated in one position for long periods. It is good idea to do some work standing up or changing sitting positions frequently. An adjustable laptop table lets you work standing up and even lets you work in bed.
Maybe in office one had access to a proper office chair while at home one may have to make do with the sofa or the dining chair or just a regular arm chair. Big mistake, as I discovered myself. A good office chair should be the right height, have casters, swivel feature, and the right angled back. Look for one with lumbar support to prevent lover back problems and adjustable arm rests for proper support. It is a good idea to look for one with a mesh back (for ventilation). I would also recommend a chair with a wide enough seat and handles located in a way that you can sit cross-legged – this is great for circulation and lets you change positions frequently.
As someone who used to experience tingling and numbness in my forearm, I am well aware of the importance of a correct wrist position while using a computer; particularly the mouse. Compression of the median nerve in the wrist is common due to prolonged mouse use and this can cause repetitive stress injuries. So opt for a mouse pad with wrist support. I would also recommend a wrist splint (see image) which supports the wrist and ‘trains’ it into a better position. I used this regularly for some days and found a marked improvement in the numbness and tingling symptoms. With more and more of us realising the possibilities and merits of working from home, it makes sense to invest in some of these work-from-home accessories and gadgets.
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