If you’re like most people in the modern world, you rely heavily, or even exclusively, on a computer to accomplish your work. You use it to research new topics, communicate with others, share files, create new files, and manage tasks. It’s the center of your productive workday.
Upgrading your computer workspace can make a major difference in terms of your mood, your comfort, and even your productivity. But what are the best ways to make these upgrades?
How to Upgrade Your Computer Workspace
There are several steps you can take to make your workspace more comfortable and more supportive, including:
- Invest in a better desk. Start things off by buying a better desk from a well-reviewed office furniture company. The right desk will give you ample space to set up your computer (and monitors), with plenty of room to jot down notes on a sheet of paper or lay out different documents for quick reference. On top of that, a structurally sound, aesthetically pleasing desk will make you feel happier and more confident when you sit down to work.
- Upgrade your chair. Speaking of sitting down, consider spending a few hundred dollars on a nice office chair. The right chair will offer ample back support and flexibility to support you while you remain seated for hours at a time. It should be comfortable enough that you rarely have to shift your weight and simultaneously support a healthy posture. With this chair in place, you can focus better, work comfortably, and stave off long-term health complications from poor posture.
- Add a new monitor (or two). The right monitor can make your workday much easier to get through; higher resolution and higher refresh rates can make videos more engaging, and a bigger screen size can help you do more things at once. Even better, consider investing in a second monitor, or even a third. With more monitors, you can keep more windows open at once, and conveniently jump between platforms or between tasks.
- Get an ergonomic keyboard. If you don’t already have one, invest in an ergonomic keyboard. These accessories are designed with ergonomics and comfort in mind, allowing you to rest your hands naturally on the layout of the keyboard and strike keys gently. Over the course of a lifetime of work, an ergonomic keyboard can reduce the likelihood of carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive strain injuries.
- Use a wired, precision mouse. A wireless mouse is seen as more convenient and higher-tech, but a wired mouse will often give you greater precision and control – which is vital for some computer applications. Spending a bit extra on a high-quality mouse can give you a much better overall experience.
- Surround yourself with speakers. Whether you like working with music or are in conferences most of the day, it’s often worth the money to invest in speakers that surround you. High-quality speakers will give you high-fidelity audio with crystal clarity and positioning them around you will give you an in-depth, immersed environment.
- Get some physical note-taking gear. Computers and software make everything simpler and more accessible – for the most part. Some research indicates you’re more likely to remember things if you write them down physically. And having handwritten notes can have other advantages as well. Consider upgrading your computer workspace by adding more physical note-taking gear, such as pens, pencils, and paper. You never know when you might need it.
- Tidy things up. Finally, take the time to tidy your environment. Clutter around your desk or near your computer can have a distracting effect on your mind, whether you realize it or not. At the end of each day, clear away the dishes, get rid of any trash lying around, and reorganize important items. You’ll thank yourself in the morning.
Should You Upgrade Your Computer?
Throughout this article, we’ve talked a lot about upgrading your computer workspace. But what about upgrading your computer? With the right additions, your computer itself can run faster and more efficiently, allowing you to be more productive.
For example:
- Video card. A better, more efficient video card can help your computer render video faster and clearer. It’s ideal if you spend a lot of time in video meetings or if you have a job that demands significant visual rendering.
- RAM. Random access memory (RAM) is temporary memory storage your computer uses for a variety of applications. Upgrading it can help you multitask and do more.
- SSD. A solid-state drive (SSD), instead of an HDD, can help your computer boot up and load programs much faster.
With a better computer and a better workspace, you’ll be able to work more productively (and be happier doing it). It may take some time and money to reach this next plateau, but it’s typically worth the investment.