As I promised over on my Facebook page, today I am going to be talking about the devices and gadgets I use to keep myself at the top of my game while I work from home. Read till the end for a bonus: what I’d love to get and hopefully will soon 😉
COMPUTER
First and foremost, is my computer. Shocking, right? 😀 I would not be able to do any work without it, particularly when it comes to my own individual contribution. Presentations, analyses, basically everything where I need to use Microsoft 365 or calls where I need to share my screen. My computer is a crucial component for me being so productive.
Now, when it comes to the one I use. I have been using a Surface Pro for many years now. I even upgraded from Surface Pro 3 to 5 last year, for more power. And the reasons I chose the Surface are really easy:
- it is thin and light. Which means it fits in any of my bags and I can travel with it really easily
- It has a touch screen, which makes my experience as a user so much more natural. I love using my fingers as opposed to a mouse
- It comes with a pen, which means I can hand write (I already told you I am a big fan of writing 😉 )
- The battery autonomy is amazing – I don’t need to carry the charger with me when I go to work from the cafe next door for a few hours
PHONE
As far as my phone is concerned, I have always used an iPhone. Well, that’s not exactly right. I have been using mostly iPhone, except for a short couple of years when I tested out the Nokia ones. I came back to iPhone about 4 years ago, as I was really missing my apps which were not available on the Nokia platform. Last year I upgraded to an iPhone X and I cannot be happier. Even though I find it still a bit too large and too heavy for my liking, my phone is soon going to steal the first place in my top devices I use for remote work.
I have it with me at all times and I use it as my “first response” device. That means that I take many of my Teams calls from it – so I can be mobile and keep doing household chores when needed. But also that I use it to reply to urgent emails on the go, approve system requests for my team (holiday requests, expenses, you name it).
Other than using it for work, I use my phone for literally everything I need in my personal life. I make payments, I book hotels, I check bus schedule or purchase movie tickets. And of course social media. My phone is the main outlef t for posting and checking all my social media channels.
WIRELESS PHONE CHARGER
But my close attachment to my phone would probably not be that close had I not been using a wireless phone charger. This was really life changing. Not only that it charges my phone really fast and I am never worried I would run out of battery. Since I also use it as a phone stand on my desk so my phone is basically always charging while I use it. But I also absolutely love the fact that it saves me from the “cable drama”. And I’m sure you know what I mean :D. Do leave me a comment below if cables are also one of your pet peeves 😉
WIRELESS HEADPHONES
Another critical one are my headphones. Since probably 50-70% of my work is done via conference calls, I need a good pair of headphones to ensure great quality sound. And here I honestly tried everything. I tried wireless speakers, I tried the over ear ones with vacuum function for noise cancellation, I used wired ones. You name it. But I truly swear by my Bose ones I’ve been using for the past year. They are comfortable, don’t fall out of my ears. The sound quality is amazing both for me and those I speak to. And the battery life is awesome. I charge them every night and have them running through the day. Last but not least, the fact that they always hang around my neck allows me not to “lose” them around the house or in my bag 😀
APPLE WATCH
This one is not so much for work as it is for my wellbeing. I don’t use the watch for emails checking or anything work related. Its main use is to keep me grounded and healthy. I love that it reminds me to stand, as this is a great opportunity for me to take breaks. If you haven’t already, check out my blog post where I talk about the importance of taking breaks when you work from home: My top 3 tips about working from home. It reminds me to breath and most importantly to exercise.
BONUS: Second screen
If you have read until here, thank you ;). As promised, here is a bonus one: a second screen. For a long time I did not use one. And I believed I can manage with my Surface screen. And I did. But once I was introduced to the idea of a second screen, I was blown away. Not only that it allows me see everything at a larger scale (and I don’t strain my eyes), but it is also much easier to keep track of things in parallel. Since the one I am using now is a really old screen (my husband used to use it as a desktop screen many many years ago), I am now considering buying a new one. And the Surface Studio has grabbed my attention. What do you guys think – should I take the plunge and get it? 😀
I’d be curious to know what devices you use to work from home. Let me know in the comments below.
Until next time,
Laura