The pandemic has forced people globally to adapt to work from home. While it was difficult at first but slowly all of us got a hang of it and now when the world is slowly returning back to normal, few companies have decided to permanently adapt work from home or opt for a hybrid model to save on overheads. Irrespective of whether your office is completely adopting work from home or not, there’s one important realisation: your home should be WFH-ready. You may lack the tools and devices that you find in their office and it can take a toll on your productivity. These problems may look small but in the longer run they can impact your peace of mind. If you are keen to set-up a home office, we have compiled a list of gadgets that you may need.
Laptops
It’s the most essential device that you need to work from home efficiently. Laptops are compact, easy to use and are not that expensive when compared to PCs. While some may argue that few professions require specially configured laptops, many find this device appropriate for use at home. Almost all laptops available in the market today support basic apps that one may need to work and communicate such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet and many others. Few brands such as Dell, Lenovo, Apple, Microsoft and others even offer special laptops for people who prefer to work from home all year around. Laptops can also double-up as PCs when connected to desktop and other accessories.
Microsoft Surface Go 2
This laptop from Microsoft gets a Corning Gorilla Glass 3 touchscreen display. Priced at Rs 57,994, the laptop gets Intel Pentium Gold processor, 8GB DDR3 RAM with Intel UHD graphics 615 and 128GB SSD. The company claims it delivers an average battery life of 10 hours.
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3
Available at Rs 59,990, the device comes with 8GB DDR4 RAM and 512GB SSD. It is powered by an 11th gen Intel Core i5 processor. When it comes to display, it gets a 14-inch FHD anti-glare unit. With fingerprint reader and a backlit keyboard, the laptop also gets a rapid charge feature which the company claims can charge the devices up to 80% in 1 hour.
Asus Zenbook 14
The Zenbook 14 comes with a 14-inch LED display and 11th gen Intel Core i5 processor. In terms of memory and storage, the laptop gets 8GB RAM and 128GB SSD. Priced at Rs 72,980, the laptop is claimed to deliver a battery life of up to 22 hours.
HP 15
This HP 15 comes with a 15.6-inch anti-glare FHD display. Priced at Rs 56,490, it gets 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD paired with 5th gen AMD Ryzen 5 processor. The company claims it delivers an average battery life of 8 hours.
Wi-Fi routers
A Wi-Fi router is the second most essential thing that one needs while working from home as it’s almost impossible to be in touch with your office or your colleagues without a stable internet connection. A router is something that a person doesn’t change or upgrade very often. Very few are aware about the impact a good router can have. An ideal router has higher frequency bands, USB ports and multiple antennas that expand the reach of the network throughout your home. Few companies such as TP-Link, Asus, Netgear and Xiaomi offer a wide range of routers that can enhance your work from home experience.
D-Link DIR-2150
DIR-2150 can be set-up using a mobile app and can be controlled through various voice assistants such as Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. It comes with 1GB WAN and 4GB LAN ports for better wired connectivity. It also gets 4 high gain Omni antennas for broader Wi-Fi reach. It is available at Rs 4,544.
TP-Link AX1500
Priced at Rs 4,999, it gets a triple-core CPU and it supports Wi-Fi speed up to 1.5GBps. With 4 antennas for wider coverage, it can be paired using a smartphone app and can be controlled via different voice assistants.
Netgear R6850 AC2000
This Wi-Fi router gets 880Mhz processor and USB 2.0 port. Although it only gets 3 antennas, it is priced at Rs 5,299. Company claims it can transfer Wi-Fi speed up to 2GB per second.
Webcams
While every laptop sports a webcam, the quality of those cameras isn’t good enough. Although it may not look like an important gadget, webcams can have a sharp effect during your video calls or presentations. With a variety of background filters available on various video calling platforms such as Skype, Zoom, Google Meet and Microsoft Teams, a good webcam can boost the quality of your video to make a lasting impression. There are various webcams available in the market that can be used on laptops, monitors and tripods. These HD cameras can be easily adjusted at a different position than the conventional webcam to provide a different angle.
Logitech C270
The lens with 60-degree field of view on this webcam allows you to make widescreen video calls in HD 720p at 30fps. Priced at Rs 2,221, the company claims that this device can automatically improve the warmth and balance of your image. With a universal clip, it can be mounted at various angles and it also gets a noise-reducing microphone.
Lenovo 300
Available at Rs 2,800, this webcam gets a Full HD 1080P 2.1 megapixel CMOS camera. With a universal mount and lens with 95-degree field of view, this device is capable of making widescreen video calls. The company claims that the built-in mics capture crisp audio from all directions.
HP w200
This HP webcam comes with fixed focus and single digital mic. Priced at Rs 1,749, it allows you to make video calls at 1280 x 720P resolution at 30fps.The webcam can be used directly without any additional drivers. It can also be mounted on a tripod.
All-In-One Adapters
New generation laptops are compact and they lack various ports that are used to mount accessories. It is always advisable to have a USB or a USB-C hub to attach all your accessories easily without any limitations. These adapters can easily mount five to seven different accessories easily with your device. Most of the people carry adapters that have an ethernet port, microSD card slot and various USB ports. This device can boost your productivity and declutter your workstation.
RAEGR launches USB-C hubs ‘RapidLink 1250
The RapidLink 1250 is a highly portable USB Type-C hub that caters to Apple’s iPad Pro, MacBook, and Android smartphones, while the RapidLink 1550 is compatible with the MacBook Air and Pro series. The USB-C hubs help extend simultaneous connectivity options for multiple devices such as mice, keyboards, pen drives, flashcards, headphones, monitors, and projectors. The RAEGR RapidLink 1250 will be available for Rs 3,999 and the RAEGR RapidLink 1550 will be available for Rs 4,999, on Amazon.in.
Centurion 100W 4 Port Charging Station
The total power output is 100W, that is divided smartly to each connected device. For instance, the new Macbook Pro 13” M1 series requires 61W of power, once connected, there will be almost 40W of power still available for your other devices. The Centurion is also compatible with all fast charging protocols other than power delivery such as Samsung AFC, Oppo/Vivo VOOC, OnePlus Dash, Huawei SuperCharge, Moto TurboCharge. It can also charge latest Type C Laptops/Ultrabooks, DSLR Cameras and even Nintendo Switch gaming console.
Wireless keyboards
While people may question owning another keyboard, almost everyone will agree that typing on a stationary laptop keyboard for longer periods of time can be really tiring. Portable keyboards provide you mobility and ideal distance from your screen. This device can be attached to your laptops or PCs via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or IR technology. It doesn’t take much of your desk space, can be moved easily according to your requirements and you don’t have to worry about the tangled cords.
Logitech K380
This keyboard can be paired with up to 3 wireless devices at once and easy-Switch feature lets you connect any Bluetooth device that supports an external keyboard. The keyboard is compatible with various operating systems and the company claims that the battery on this device can last up to 24 months.
Portronics Chicklet POR-973
This foldable keyboard is ideal for compact spaces and it is priced at Rs 1,079. It can be paired to any devices with Bluetooth without any driver.It comes with a rechargeable battery that the company claims can last up to 140 hours on a single charge.
Wireless Mouses
Just like a wireless keyboard, a wireless mouse is also recommended for people working from home. A laptop mouse pad is small, limits mobility and decreases overall productivity. Wireless mouse provides better space and accessibility to users. It is widely used by people who are a part of a profession that re quires designing. This device also declutters your workspace and reduces problems related to cords. It can also be paired to your laptops through Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or IR technology.
Dell WM 118
Available at Rs 629, this 2.4GHz RF wireless optical mouse is one the most basic mouse out there. It has 3 buttons and a scroller. The company claims that its battery can last up to 12 months and it also gets a 1 year exchange warranty.
HP Z3700
Z3700 wireless mouse gets a sleek design which makes it easy to use. Priced at Rs 999, it used 2.4GHz wireless connection and the company claims that the battery on this device can last up to 16 months.
Headphones
Most of us already own headphones but not all of them are suitable while you are working from home. Although there are many different types of headphones available in the market, you can easily pick a wireless one that supports noise cancellation. This device is necessary for your office meeting and thus microphones on them also come in handy. Various reports have proven that music boosts your productivity and nothing delivers sound better than a good pair of headphones. Noise cancellation feature on this device is specially recommended as it blocks all the other household sounds and helps you to focus on your work.
Sony WH-CH710N
These wireless head phones are priced at Rs 8,990. This device gets noise cancellation and the company claims that it gets a battery life of up to 35 hours. Compatible with various voice assistants, the devices can provide up to 1- hour of playback time with just 10 minutes of charging.
JBL Tune 750BTNC
JBL Tune 750BTNC headphones sport various buttons that can help to control music, manage calls and access various voice assistants that are compatible with the device. The company claims that the device gets 15-hours of playback time with active noise cancellation and it can be extended to 22-hours without noise cancelling.
Portable hard drives
No data is ever completely safe when it comes to technology and while many back cloud storage as a safer option, it also has its drawbacks. It is always suggested to have a backup of your files on another hard drive. It helps you to free up space on the machine you are working on. While there are various types of hard disks available in the market, most people opt for SSDs as they are light, easy to store and faster when it comes to data transfer. There are many big brands in the hard disk manufacturing business such as Seagate, Samsung, SanDisk and others.
SanDisk 1TB SSD
Available at Rs 12,169, this SSD comes with drop protection along with IP55 water and dust resistance. It allows data transfer at 1050MB per second and it can be paired with any smartphone, laptop or PC with USB-C port.
Samsung T7
T7 SSD comes with a storage of 1TB and allows data transfer at 1050MB per second. It gets a shock resistant frame that the company claims can withstand falls from up to 2 meters. Priced at Rs 13,499, the SSD also AES 256 bit hardware encryption.
A Multifunction Printers
Whether you need to print, scan, copy or even fax a multifunction printer is suitable for all. This device can be paired with your laptop easily via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Most of the printers that are available in the market today are made by Canon, HP, Epson and Samsung. These multipurpose machines come with a dedicated app that helps the users to work easily from a smartphone as well. New age printers are compact and light weight as compared to the ones sold in the last decade.
Canon E560
This all-in-one printer can print at 9.9 black and white and 5.7 coloured pages per minute.It is compatible with various print cartridges and can print in an array of page sizes. Priced at Rs 7,693, the company claims that the product is ideal for home and office use.
HP Deskjet 2331
This multipurpose printer can be paired easily with a smartphone, tablet or laptop using a dedicated app. With a 60-sheet input tray and 25-sheet output tray, the printer can be connected using USB 2.0 port and Wi-Fi. Priced at Rs 3,898, it comes with 1-year warranty.
Few gadgets that may need to pair with your laptop
Smartphone dock
While most people rely on their laptops for daily office work, smartphones are the key communication devices. The docks help you to keep your smartphones upright with the screen always facing you which ensures that you don’t miss any important notification or call. Whenever the Wi-Fi is patchy, people often use hotspots on their smartphones to provide internet access to laptops and dock to help keep the smartphone stable while it is paired. With the help of the dock and various apps you can also use your smartphone as a webcam.
Cable organisers
With a large number of devices and accessories comes the burden of wires. A good cable organiser can help you manage your workspace to look clean. An endless maze of crisscrossing cables can limit your mobility and reduce your overall productivity. Cable organisers are an easy way to group all those cables together so they stay tangle-free.
Laptop stand
Although most people don’t keep their laptops stationary, few that have a dedicated workspace at home find a laptop stand an important accessory. These stands are often tilted at an angle and it lets you manage space efficiently on small surfaces while aiding your laptop’s cooling fans. If you have a separate mouse and keyboard, this stand almost makes you feel like you are working on a PC. Overall, it keeps your laptop at your eye vision level while helping you maintain a better posture for your neck and shoulders.
Desk lamp
A desk lamp can come handy whether you’re burning the midnight oil or just need extra illumination. As more people are moving towards work from culture, acceptability of flexible working hours is also expanding. A desk lamp can help if you like working during night as most not all key boards get backlit keys making them difficult to use in the dark.
