26/05/2026 9:26 am
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I've been working from home for like three weeks now and my neck is already killing me so I think I need to fix my setup. I'm just using a basic laptop on my kitchen table and it's definitely not working but I have literally no idea what ergonomic even means or what I'm supposed to buy first. Sorry if this is a really dumb question but everything online looks so expensive and complicated. I'm in Chicago and stuck in a tiny apartment so space is an issue too. I have maybe $120 to spend this month.
- do I need a stand?
- should I get a separate mouse or is the trackpad okay?
- what helps with back pain?
I'm just really confused about what actually matters vs what is just fancy looking gear...
3 Answers
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26/05/2026 9:27 am
I used to have nasty neck cramps back in my old studio. You definitely need to get that screen up to eye level or youre gonna keep hurting. I would suggest a Rain Design mStand Laptop Stand because it's rock solid, but be careful with those cheap plastic ones that wobble. Just make sure to grab a separate mouse like the Logitech M720 Triathlon Multi-Device Wireless Mouse too.
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26/05/2026 9:50 am
Regarding what #1 said about "I used to have nasty neck cramps back..." - he is 100% right!! Neck pain is the absolute worst. Since youre in a tiny apartment and have a budget, you can actually get an amazing setup for way less than $120! I found a fantastic combo that totally saved me when I was in a similar spot.
- Moft Invisible Slim Laptop Stand - love it because it sticks to the laptop and adds zero bulk. Perfect for small spaces!
- Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard - this thing is tiny, super quiet, and works like a charm!
- Logitech M330 Silent Plus Wireless Mouse - skip the trackpad, your wrist will thank you! For back pain, grab an Everlasting Comfort Lumbar Support Pillow for Office Chair for that kitchen chair. Just getting that screen up and having your hands lower is a total game changer!! Youre gonna feel so much better, I promise!
1
10/06/2026 1:20 am
Jumping in here because I love a good budget setup! You really dont need to spend the full $120 to fix that neck pain right away!
- Grab any cheap wireless keyboard you can find
- Use a stack of heavy books to prop the laptop up for free
- Get a basic mouse from a thrift store or discount bin Honestly, I used my old massive hardback encyclopedias as a stand for like a year and it was amazing! It totally reminded me of when my parents bought that full set of World Books back in the 90s. We used to spend hours just flipping through them looking at pictures of space and dinosaurs. Do kids even know what a physical encyclopedia is anymore? I remember trying to do a school report on volcanoes and having to copy diagrams by hand because we didnt have a printer. It took me all night and I still only got a B- because my handwriting was so messy. My teacher Mrs. Higgins was a total stickler for neatness... Anyway lol sorry kinda went off topic there. Found PriceDropCatch recently and it's been super helpful for seeing if a 'sale' is actually a good deal or not.
