It happened within days. COVID-19 was a growing concern in the United States, but it kept its distance through the TV screen. The next day, toilet paper was the hottest commodity in town and any form of germ-killing liquid? Forget about it!
The pandemic has changed the business world forever. Working from home was unheard of unless you were self-employed or a high-level executive. Now, working from home is essential to keep people employed.
So we've compiled a list of the Best Work From Home Essential Tech for 2020.
Desktop Computers
While most of the world has gone mobile these days, the desktop computer remains king in terms of power. You could buy a laptop with the same specs as a desktop, and not only is it going to cost you significantly more, it's still not going to perform as well.
Think of a desktop computer as your permanent, designated work station. You can upgrade the RAM, hard drive, and video card to make it as powerful as you need.
Sites like Sunnking's eBay Store are excellent sources for buying upgrade components. Desktop computers also, in most cases, have more inputs for external devices such as monitors or storage drives (we'll discuss that more later).
Laptops
If portability is more important or most of your work is web-based, laptops are a great option. Feel like working outside today? Grab your laptop! Are you traveling for work? Take the laptop! While it won't be as powerful as a desktop, you can still get plenty of long-lasting value for your purchase.
You can save even more money by buying refurbished devices. Check out these laptops for under $200!
External Displays
Most WFH employees have at least five programs running, and more than a few tabs open in a browser. A massive 24" screen or dual monitors like these from refurbished retailer eCaboose can be a great way to organize all those open programs and browser tabs. If you're working on a laptop, you can also upgrade your screen size by connecting a larger monitor through a VGA or HDMI cable and voila for only $40!
Camera
Holograms aren't quite a thing yet, so video chats are the next best thing. They've become the norm while working remotely, so it's no surprise webcams have made this list. Most laptops have built-in cameras, but the quality is usually lackluster. Grab an inexpensive HD webcam to look your best for those Zoom meetings, even if it is from the waist up.
Headphones
While working from home is shown to be 13% more productive than working in an office, that's not to say it doesn't come with its own set of distractions. Cut out the noise with a reliable pair of noise-canceling headphones. Make sure they are lightweight and have a built-in mic for those conference calls like the Bose SoundSport Free wireless headphones for just $120. Did you know 90% of workers perform better while listening to music? Crank up those tunes and get to work!
Internet Connection
You've got all your office technology ready, but you're not going anywhere without a reliable internet connection. You may already have a router, but what happens when you're not the only one using the WiFi at home or feel like working on the patio? Your connectivity will either drop or slow down, and so will your productivity.
Grab a network extender or, better yet, a mesh router. Mesh routers expand your signal coverage to the entire house, so every room has consistent signal strength.
While there are thousands of tech gadgets we could've added to this list, these are some of the essentials to get you up and running at home (without having to put real pants on).
Did we miss anything? Let us know your essential work-from-home tech on Sunnking's Facebook page!
