Whether we like it or not, 2020 is the year of the home office. Quarantine and stay-at-home mandates have pushed many creatives to work at home versus co-working spaces and offices. And, while this may give us more time with little ones and Fido, operating efficiently and effectively at home can get tricky — but technology is here to help.
Video cameras, innovative laptops, and lighting are just a few of the many gadgets and accessories to enhance your home office. Today, we’ve compiled some of the best home-office tools to make your workspace functional and fun.
Must-Have Gadgets to Perfect your Home Office:
- Apple 13” MacBook Pro with Touch Bar
- Synology RT2600AC AC-2600 Wireless Dual-Band Gigabit Router
- WD My Passport Wireless Pro 2TB External Hard Drive
- Green Extreme T200 HD Webcam
- HP ENVY Photo 7855 All-in-One Inkjet Printer
- Rain Design iLevel2 Anodized Aluminum Height Adjustable Stand for MacBook and Notebook
- MSI Modern 15 15.6″ Full HD Professional Notebook Computer
- Clar LF-Y500 Double Arm 3000-6500K LED Light
Apple 13” MacBook Pro with Touch Bar ()
Apple’s MacBooks rarely fail to impress, and the new Apple 13” MacBook Pro continues the brand’s legacy. New models that launched in mid-2020 have powerful 2560×1600 Retina displays, with P3 color gamut support and TrueTone technology, not to mention the biggest highlight of all: the new Magic Keyboard. This innovative keyboard pairs 1mm of key travel with arrow keys in an inverted T-shape. The new Macbook Pros also have a Touch Bar for ease of use, precision, and productivity.
Synology RT2600AC AC-2600 Wireless Dual-Band Gigabit Router ()
Technical difficulties, be gone! The Synology Router RT2600ac offers impressive WiFi speeds at up to 2.53 gigabytes per second, which means dropped connection mid-Zoom presentation is a thing of the past. This wireless router may be powerful, but it’s also quite intuitive. You can set it up from a smartphone or computer, and the process only takes a few minutes.
WD My Passport Wireless Pro 2TB External Hard Drive ()
Photographers and videographers are hardly stationary workers. They need a wireless external hard drive they can use at home or on the road — and the WD My Passport Wireless Pro is exactly that. This external hard drive promises fast data transfer speeds and smooth HD media streaming, with wireless image transferring through FTP Mode and compatible DSLR cameras. Battery life on these workhorses, which also serve as portable power banks, can last for up to 10 hours of continuous use.
Green Extreme T200 HD Webcam ()
Level up your Zoom calls and virtual presentations with a smart webcam that ensures you look polished and professional. The Full HD 1920x1080p Green Extreme T200 HD Webcam works across Windows and Mac computers. It boasts a quick f/3.1 aperture, a setting that will put you in focus while your background softly blurs, with an autofocus lens to ensure you stay sharp the full time. Just clip the webcam onto your monitor, connect it via USB, and present away!
HP ENVY Photo 7855 All-in-One Inkjet Printer ()
Every home office needs a printer, and the HP ENVY Photo 7855 powers all your printing needs, and then some. This printer does more than simply print documents; it also creates sharp, high-resolution photos that are worthy of a wall hang — at just five cents per print. Print from your computer, phone, or an SD or USB card. You can even scan, copy, and fax with an intuitive 2.7-inch color touchscreen.
Rain Design iLevel2 Anodized Aluminum Height Adjustable Stand ()
Ergonomics are essential for a comfortable and healthy home office, and the Rain Design iLevel2 will help you adjust your workflow accordingly. The iLevel stand places your MacBook or Notebook at your chosen level; you can adjust height and tilt the laptop for a versatile workspace. Rain Design’s laptop stand offerings also include the gold mStand and the space grey mStand360.
MSI Modern 15 15.6″ Full HD Professional Notebook Computer ()
With the MSI Modern 15 laptop, you can enjoy the powerful Intel Core i5 or i7 processor with an impressive nine hours of battery life and the MSI Cooler Boost 3 Technology for extended and intense use. The MSI Modern 15 laptop is impressively lightweight at only 3.66 pounds thanks to its aluminum chassis body. Creatives, gamers, and entrepreneurs can take this reliable and portable laptop on the go, or use it back in the home office for a full day of work or play.
Of course, the MSI options don’t end there. For a smaller size, try the ultra-thin MSI Modern 14, a 14” full HD computer with an anti-glare display and a powerful Nahimic 3 audio system for immersive listening. The MSI Modern 14 comes with the i5 processor or the i7 processor. The MSI Prestige 14 is another home office must-have; its six-core processor was built with fast-moving creators in mind, while the vibrant color — rose pink — is perfect for those who love a little workplace flair.
Clar LF-Y500 Double Arm 3000-6500K LED Light ()
One key to looking professional on Zoom calls is adequate lighting, which is where the Clar LF-Y500 comes in handy. Rubberized flexible arms let you precisely light your subject, while 3000 to 65000K settings give you versatility when setting the color temperature for your scene. You can use this light out of the home office, too, whether you’re lighting a vlog or illuminating gear for a product shoot.
