One of the biggest challenges in being self-employed can be spending money where it makes sense. So seeing as I’ve been investing in my home workspace recently, I wanted to share some of the purchases which have made a noticeable difference. Whether that’s productivity, or just having an enjoyable space to work in.
Most noticeable are the new Razer Ornata V2 Keyboard and Trust GXT 960 Gaming Mouse, as they both contain more lights than most town centres at Christmas. But I had some sensible reasons for buying each upgrade, besides making my work desk look like a 14-year-old Fortnite addict has taken residence.
Despite investing in a desktop PC for both work and sim racing, I’d been relying on the same old keyboards and computer mice for years. Whenever one stopped working, I’d look through old storage boxes and just grab whatever had been accumulated over the years. Even after writing articles about the importance of ergonomics for the health of deskbound freelancers, and switching to a trackball for a time due to wrist and RSI issues.
So the main attraction of the Razer Ornata V2 was that it’s a stepping stone to investing in a high end mechanical keyboard. And the ‘mecha-membrane’ technology means it’s a halfway house which was reasonably ergonomic, and some reviews mentioned it was pretty good for touch typing.
After using it for a month, it’s much more comfortable and enjoyable to type with compared to a cheap keyboard. And after installing the bloatware to control the lighting, I’ve found a nice cyan which helps me work in low light reasonably effectively, rather than distracting myself with the various effects available. Although when I do finish for the day, I’ve enjoyed some of the interactive light effects available in some games.
Aside from the feel of the keys, the built-in volume and mute control is handy to avoid me having to reach around monitors to access my desktop speakers, especially if I’ve got a call or meeting at short notice.
It comes with a wrist rest, which is fine, and has held up OK so far. Although I’ll be interested to see how it handles 12 months of heavy-handed typing.
The Trust GXT960 mouse was bought at the same time, and not for the RGB lighting. So far, I haven’t been motivated to actually install the software needed to change from the default rainbow pattern, and I’ve pretty much learned to ignore it.
Instead, it was purchases between it’s lightweight with a honeycomb shell which helps to keep my hands cool and comfortable. And it’s reasonably sized for someone with fairly small hands. My old mice were getting increasingly clunky and inaccurate, even after a thorough cleaning. And so far the optical sensor and low-friction pads have kept it smooth and accurate for work and occasional gaming.
Underneath both is a Titanwolf XX Speed Gaming Mouse Pad. Which is a cheap upgrade I can’t recommend enough. No more struggling to stay on a tiny mouse pad, or risking picking up dust and rubbish from a desktop.
I’ll admit I picked the skull design for the goth/metal aesthetics, but it’s also one of the more subtle choices. And honestly, it’s made a huge difference to be able to use my whole desk space as a mouse pad. I’m not trapped into the same repetitive movements when I’m working, which definitely helps with wrist aches and strains.
The final indulgence was an OXO Good Grips laptop cleaner (not pictured). You can find something similar for less, but it’s handy and comfortable to use. It’s easy to put off the hassle of a thorough clean with microfibre cloths, compressed air and a service of the desktop PC case, so it’s perfect for a quick wipe down every so often. Mine came bundled with a single brush at the time, which is good for phones or other smaller electronic gadgets, and has inspired me to take a bit more pride in my home office.
Also pictured alongside a selection of back-up batteries for vaping are a LEGO dinosaur from my girlfriend, who also bought me the Pomodoro timer. And she’s also the absolute genius who invested in some Aonbys USB fans at the first news of a heatwave in the UK. Mine’s been permanently plugged in and whirring away quietly for a while and kept me from going insane during the hottest weather.
Another couple of cheap investments were a basic monitor stand and desk footrest. Again, both have made a big difference in how comfortable it can be to spend a lot of time at my computer, and I’ve noticed a reduction in neck and back aches as a result. If you’re working from home, it’s definitely worth considering both to improve your ergonomics rather than living with joint pain…
Nothing listed above is particularly prestigious or expensive. The keyboard was the biggest investment, but it’s dirt cheap compared to high-end mechanical examples. But it’s reminded me how important it is to occasionally treat myself to practical and fun upgrades to make work, and play, more enjoyable.
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