What are the absolute must-have accessories for a new laptop?

Question

My new laptop literally has two USB-C ports and nothing else and honestly it is driving me crazy trying to figure out what to buy just to make it usable. I need to get this sorted before my remote internship starts next week.

Here is what I am dealing with:

budget: max 150 bucks total for everything

use case: mostly desk work but need to travel to the library twice a week

space: tiny desk, so clutter is a major issue

Right now I am torn between two options. Option A is going for a high-end Anker USB-C hub (about 80 dollars) and a cheap plastic stand. Option B is getting a cheaper generic hub so I can afford a nicer vertical stand and a decent MX Anywhere mouse. I am leaning toward Option A because I am terrified of a cheap hub frying my new machine, but then I have almost no money left for a good mouse.

What are the actual must-have accessories I need to prioritize here?

mekiemzkxv · Accepted Answer

Definitely go with a reliable hub first. The Anker 555 USB-C Hub 8-in-1 10Gbps has much better thermal regulation and 100W power delivery than generic stuff. That still leaves enough in your 150 budget for the Logitech MX Anywhere 3S Wireless Mouse, which is a total lifesaver for small desks and library trips. Dont cheap out on the hub, its basically your laptops lifeline now.

reality_advanced · Answer

Adding my two cents... Be careful with cheap hubs, but you dont need to spend 80 bucks either. I would suggest the Ugreen Revodok 109 9-in-1 USB C Hub since its super reliable and cheaper. Pair that with a Logitech Signature M650 Wireless Mouse to stay under budget. Just make sure to check your power supply wattage when running pass-through charging so you dont fry anything.

vvupjdtnuk · Answer

Unfortunately, the trend of laptops having zero ports is a total nightmare for anyone actually trying to get work done. I have seen so many people try to save money with generic hubs only to have them overheat and fail during important meetings. It is not as good as expected when you realize a cheap hub might actually damage your laptop ports from poor voltage regulation.

power safety: a good hub needs to manage 100W passthrough without cooking the internals.

signal noise: cheap hubs often lack shielding, which kills your wifi or makes your mouse laggy.

build quality: metal housings are mandatory for heat dissipation. Before you buy anything tho, are you going to be using an external monitor at your desk? If you are, the power requirements change significantly. Id go with the Satechi USB-C Multi-Port Adapter V2 4K HDMI because the build quality is top tier. To fix the desk clutter, the Omoton Vertical Laptop Stand Aluminum is way better than those cheap plastic wedges.