CocheseUGA

They day is nigh, I can feel it. So, I need to get a few things to make working at home a bit more palatable.

Chair - need something better than the WWE metal chair I have now. Will be on carpet, budget <$125.

Keyboard/mouse - haven't found anything that has lived up to my Logitech Pro cordless set, but sadly that broke awhile back. Corded or cordless, but battery life needs to be decent.
Case - I've gone cheapo in the past, but I now need something that flows good air but is quiet. Considering the Antec 600. Budget <$80.

The monitor is still up for debate, as I'm not sure how much space I actually have. Any advice is appreciated.

doopstr

Keep an eye on Staples, and Office Depot. Chairs go on sale all the time and you can find something decent, even a high back chair, for around $100.

CocheseUGA

Anyone else?

Also looking for a good powered USB hub, a gigabit router and some good cord management.

svtmike

KB/M - get another Logitech set. I like my Desktop MK710.

Monitor - can't go wrong with a widescreen Samsung, 22" or larger. For my work, I prefer two monitors because I'm between applications all day long.

Hub - whatever you can find. I've got a D-Llink that's been running for years.

Gigabit router - whatever you can find. I've got a high end D-Link (DGL-4500) that works really well for everything that runs over my network but it's very pricey.

Cord management -- I have my wires running through screw-on zip-ties on the back of the underside panels of my computer desk. Keep signals separate from power.

CocheseUGA

Thanks. After having my laptop here at work as a second screen, I think I'll be looking at dual monitors versus a widescreen - even though that would be so much better if I wanted to hook up the old Xbox, etc. The desk I have has a top portion that can come off, but will stay on for the time being and the monitor space isn't all that big. Might be able to fit a 20" screen in there, not sure.

That is a nice looking router, but it is indeed pricey. Will have to do some trolling on the bargain sites and find a decent one to replace my old Linksys.

Biggest thing with the hub and any cables is making it work with the Apple stuff. They get a bit finicky.

I had the Logitech Y-rj20 keyboard, and I see I can find a few cheap. I might just replace it since I liked it so much.

jupitersolo

Take a look at Dell, they have great entry level monitors for about $200-$250. I think I'm about to drop about $1200 for 2 24" photo monitors. I've owned Dell flats screen for about 10 yrs, never a problem. The only reason for switching was to get bigger.

CocheseUGA

That's what we use at work, and while nice, are quite a bit more than I've been seeing for other brands.

honda_nut

this looks like a nice monitor, plus its led:
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...S&Sp=C&topnav=

for the keyboard, get a logitech illuminated keyboard. best keyboard i've ever had, plus it looks so elegant. it's a little pricey at $80 but i got mine for $29 at staples during black friday.
http://www.staples.com/Logitech-Illu...TURED:SC3:CG18

hornyleprechaun

Check out Costco for monitors.. I know they just had a decent sale on TVs last month. I got my office chair from Office Depot for < $100 and it's nice.. they had a sale a couple months ago.

CocheseUGA

Had a bid in for that Logi keyboard I had, but some douchebag sniped it. Probably the seller.

I'm going to be limited at first I think to 20" screens, but I need to measure the opening when I get home. Anything will be better than the 17" I've had for almost six years.

CocheseUGA

I checked out some chairs this past weekend and having to deal with some size constraints narrowed it down to one at Office Depot to this one:
http://www.officedepot.com/a/product...Leather-Chair/

I also figured out my current setup will accommodate a 21.5" LCD, or thereabouts, so I'm still shopping for that as well.

hornyleprechaun

Pretty sure that's the chair I have, but in black. I like it, but sometimes it makes my ass sweaty.

CocheseUGA

I think I've settled on the this one, but am waffling between corded and cordless.

honda_nut

honestly, i thought about getting cordless too. but i realized that dealing with batteries and other issues would be a nuisance. plus i think a direct usb connection should be better (no lagging while typing)?

LuvMyTSX

www.bizchair.com

I got a chair from there a few months ago and I love it. So much better than what I was using before. I also recommend getting a chair mat.

I would definitely go cordless with your keyboard and mouse. More freedom to move around, and less clutter on and around the desk. The batteries are a non-issue, really. You don't have to replace them very often. I use a laptop for work, so I don't have a separate keyboard, but I got a wireless mouse from Logitech that uses rechargeable batteries. I just plug it in once in a while after work and let it recharge. It has a battery life indicator on the side.

CocheseUGA

I had my hand forced a little bit due to external circumstances. My first week of WFH I'm having to go out of town. I'm taking my laptop, and it has a trackpad and no number pad.

I used my Best Buy giftcard and a free $5 they sent me to get the MK520. It's not illuminated, but it felt so awesome in the store and to write this. I couldn't justify the additional money for the illuminated plus a mouse.

The three year battery life (claimed) also sold me. Perhaps when I upgrade the desktop I'll spring for the illuminated.

Wife also suggested I just use the laptop in the bedroom instead of moving the desktop for the time being, and we're going to try that. Still need to get a chair, and there was a couple at Staples I need to measure. I can't go by the measurements listed in the descriptions on the chairs because I found they cheat a bit and give smaller numbers.