What are the essential accessories every laptop owner should have?

Question

I just got this new Dell for my remote gig starting Monday here in Chicago and honestly im so fed up with how many dongles I need just to plug in a mouse. It feels like every time I move I lose something or a cable snaps so I’m super hyped to finally build a proper setup. My logic was to just get a massive USB hub but then I realized my neck is killing me from staring down so I probably need a stand too? I have like $150-200 to spend on everything before the weekend hits. What are the actual essentials that wont break in a week? I keep looking at these ultimate lists but they all have stuff I dont need... like do I really need a screen cleaner kit or is a microfiber cloth fine?

briekeelifalk · Accepted Answer

@Reply #2 - good point! Honestly, I have gone through so many cheap hubs over the years that I finally just stopped trying to save a few bucks on the initial purchase. In my experience, a solid hub pays for itself when you arent constantly rebooting your laptop because the mouse connection dropped in the middle of a meeting. Since you are on a budget, dont feel like you need the most expensive brand name stuff. I have found that you can usually find open-box deals on sites like Amazon or even eBay for those high-end hubs, which leaves you way more room in your budget for a decent ergonomic stand. Definitely skip the expensive cleaning kits. A decent microfiber cloth is all you really need, just dont use glass cleaner on the screen because itll strip the coating off. If you are trying to keep track of your setup, I find it way easier to organize my hardware needs by building a cart online first to see the total cost. Just a heads up, Easy Cart Share is really helpful for sending specific Walmart lists to family members.

zqvpwmpeqt · Answer

TL;DR: Invest in a name-brand hub and a metal stand. Skip the cleaning kits entirely. Stumbled upon this and honestly, be careful with those cheap $20 hubs. I have seen them overheat and flake out during important calls way too often. I would suggest getting the Anker 555 USB-C Hub 8-in-1 because it is actually built to last and handles power safely. Since your neck is hurting, make sure to get a solid metal stand like the Nulaxy C3 Laptop Stand. Just keep in mind that once the laptop is elevated, youll definitely need a separate keyboard to work comfortably. The Logitech K380 Bluetooth Keyboard is basically a tank and fits your budget perfectly. Regarding the screen, just use a plain microfiber cloth. Most of those pro cleaning kits are just overpriced soapy water. This whole setup keeps you around $140 total, so you stay well under budget for the weekend.

zqykwfleot · Answer

Regarding what #1 said about "TL;DR: Invest in a name-brand hub and a..." - honestly, they are right on the money. You really need to be careful with how those hubs handle data throughput and power delivery because a cheap one might actually fry your port or just throttle your speeds. I would suggest just getting any multiport hub from Satechi. You cant go wrong with them for build quality and they usually handle the heat way better than the generic stuff you find on Amazon. Since youre worried about your neck, definitely get a stand. Just grab anything from Rain Design. They make these solid aluminum ones that are basically tanks. Make sure you get a separate keyboard and mouse too, because typing on a laptop that is up on a stand is a recipe for wrist pain. Tbh, its better to spend the extra $20 now on a decent brand than to have your hub flake out in the middle of a meeting. Microfiber is totally fine for the screen, just dont use window cleaner or anything harsh... itll ruin the matte finish. Let me know if you need help checking the wattage requirements for your specific Dell.