Calling all Road Warriors! Are you working from home? With so many distractions and obstacles to overcome, it may be harder to stay on track outside of the office. With more and more businesses implementing remote work environments, it’s important to set yourself up for success with the proper tools and programs.
Things to look out for when choosing the right laptop!
- Weight: While working on the go, it’s essential to have a laptop that’s portable and that doesn’t take up too much space in your work bag.
- Specs: It’s important to pick the right device that fits your list of needs! We recommend a minimum of 8 GB of RAM, 1920 X1080 resolution, and a Core i5 processor for day to day multitasking and multimedia tasks.
- Screen Size: Screens between 12.5 to 14-inches offer the best balance between portability and usability. If you don’t plan on travelling much you can always opt for a bigger size.
- Battery Life: Whether you’re working from home next to an outlet or at the trendy coffee shop down the street, a lasting battery life is crucial. There’s nothing worse than having to stop mid-thought to run and find a charger!
- Durability: Shopping for the latest model is an adventure, but it’s a trip your wallet might not want to take every other year. When on the hunt for the right laptop, try and look past the bells and whistles to find a device that’s reliable.
Reliable & resilient. 3 laptops to consider when working from home.
Lenovo ThinkPad x1 Carbon 7th Gen – $2059
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 7th Gen – $1609
Ultrathin. Ultralight. Ultratough. The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 features a carbon-fiber reinforced chassis and passes durability tests in extreme environments. Plus, it delivers more than all-day battery life, includes faster, more powerful storage performance, and has innovative docking options available, including wireless.
ASUS Zenbook 13 UX331 – $1199
The new ZenBook 13 gives you all the elegance and style you can expect. This ultralight marvel features a high-performance discrete graphics chip, giving it all the pixel-pushing horsepower you need for creativity and entertainment. It’s speedy, it’s thin. It’s ZenBook 13!
MacBook Pro 13” – from $1699
The Apple M1 chip gives the 13‑inch MacBook Pro speed and power beyond belief. Up to 2.8x CPU performance, 5x the graphics speed and up to 20 hours of battery life. The MacBook Pro has been taken to a new level!
Laptops aren’t the only things to consider when setting up a home office space. The new work from home norm demands better seating options! Here’s a few things to remember when looking for a chair that’s right for your workstation.
Quality Is Key.
An appropriate and quality office chair can help best position your body for long periods of time. While laying out on your bed, sofa, or accent chair is relaxing, their designs are not meant to accommodate a long work day. Hunching over your computer can lead to pesky joint and back pains; a good way to improve poor posture is through ergonomics. While ergonomic furniture can be pricey, they are investments in both your health and productivity. It’s important to look for a chair that provides stability, ease of movement, lumbar support and adjustability in both the seat, arm, and back rest.
Staples Carder Mesh Back Fabric Computer and Desk Chair – $129.99 (Staples)
Modern design meets functionality. A mesh back allows air to circulate, keeping you cooler throughout long workdays. The molded back features a slight curve that serves as lumbar support, while the adjustable seat and arms let you find the perfect configuration for your body. This model boasts carpet casters and a stable five-star base, allowing it to roll easily over carpeted or tile floors.
Articulate Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair – $299 (Amazon)
Featuring reliable ergonomic support, the Articulate Office chair comes with a breathable mesh back, passive lumbar support, and generously padded and a contoured 6” thick mesh seat cushion. Designed with productivity in mind, it’s perfect for everyday use. Sturdy and supportive, this executive office chair holds up to 331 lbs and comes in a variety of colours.
Get in the zone.
Like the office, remote work environments can get a bit crazy! Whether it be construction across the street, a loud neighbour, or kids being kids, distractions are everywhere. A great investment to help improve focus and productivity is a good pair of noise cancelling headphones.
Bose Noise Cancelling Wireless Bluetooth Headphones 700 – $479 (Amazon)
Crisp, clear details. Deep, full bass. These wireless headphones produce exciting, lifelike sound, that’s full and balanced at every volume level. A revolutionary microphone system adapts to noisy and windy environments so your voice always sounds crystal clear on calls
VANKYO C751 Over Ear Wireless Bluetooth Headphone – $89.95 (Amazon)
VANKYO C751 headphones take you even deeper into silence with further improvements to our Advanced Noise Cancellation, and smart listening that adjusts to your situation. Hear what you want, the way you want. A single charge keeps you powered all day with approximately 30 hours of continuous play time. Or a 10-minute quick charge provides up to 2 hours of listening.
Stay Focused.
If you’re having trouble focusing at home or in the office, you’re not alone! Here are a few apps to block online distractions and get you in the ‘zone.’
Enjoy high quality sounds, curated Playlists, advanced Timer to work in sessions and a beautiful distraction-free Text Editor with Noisli.
Focus Keeper offers a simple and intuitive interface. Customizable focus sessions, goals, colours, and sounds. Track productivity with insightful charts and receive alarm notifications when app is running in the background.
Coffitivity recreates the ambient sounds of a cafe to boost your creativity and help you work better.
Creating a comfortable and efficient at work – from – home environment is essential. Spending a little extra time and money on perfecting your space will make a noticeable difference on your productivity, creativity, and your happiness!
