All the gear you need to upgrade your stay-at-home setup

There's no better time than now to upgrade your home workstation.

By Hoots the Owl - 11 May 2020

Note: This feature was first published on 6 May 2020.

Upgrade your workstation

With the circuit breaker measures extended till 1 June, the pressure is on to find even more to occupy yourself within your home. And while some people already have a decent home office to work with, others are suddenly forced to scramble to create the semblance of a workstation that they're going to have to spend hours at.

But fret not, we're here to help. We've even broken them down to suit different preferences! It's time to get rid of that ratty-looking mousepad.

Note that we're looking at accessories to improve your home setup and gear. For quick system recommendations, do check out these articles:-

Notebook recommendations aside, read on to find the best gear to outfit your home office with.

The perfect home office

This one's made for multi-taskers. If you're looking to get the most efficient setup going and stay productive throughout the day, you'll like the recommendations below.

1. CalDigit TS3 Plus

The CalDigit TS3 Plus is without a doubt one of the best Thunderbolt 3 docks on the market right now. It's small and compact, and it can sit either horizontally or vertically, so you can pick the orientation that best fits your setup. In addition, its selection of 15 ports is one of the most comprehensive you can get today, including a handy SD card reader right on the front, five USB-A 3.0 ports and two USB-C ports, one DisplayPort output, and a dedicated Gigabit Ethernet port. The Thunderbolt 3 ports allow for daisy-chaining of Thunderbolt 3 devices, and there is support for up to dual 4K 60Hz displays, or a single 5K monitor.

It'll also provide up to 85W of power to your laptop, more than enough for any ultrabook today, including the MacBook Pro. And while many Thunderbolt 3 docks only work with either Mac or PC, the TS3 Plus is compatible with both platforms. However, you'll need a Thunderbolt 3 equipped laptop to be able to use it.

You can get it now at S$364 from the local Apple store.

2. Logitech MX Master 3

If you're looking for a mouse that will help boost your productivity, look no further. The Logitech MX Master 3 is an excellent mouse for general use and productivity, featuring an ergonomic design that's supposed to relieve pressure on your wrist and plenty of buttons and scroll wheels to help you make quick work of Excel sheets.

The main scroll wheel and thumb wheel are machined out of steel, and you can toggle between a step-by-step ratchet mode and a smooth free-wheeling spin mode, in case you're working with particularly long documents. Its 4,000DDPI Darkfield sensor will track on any surface, including wood and glass, so you can use it on your desk without a mousepad.

Finally, the Logitech Flow feature lets you control up to three computers using a single mouse, and you can even copy and paste text and transfer files between computers. Whichever way you slice it, this mouse is pretty much a multi-taskers dream.

Get it at S$169 from Lazada.

3. Cooler Master MP510 XL

While this is technically a gaming mousepad, the Cooler Master MP510 will perform admirably for work as well. Its stealthy design is notably lacking much of the ostentatious branding that characterises many gaming products, and the Cooler Master logo is tastefully etched into the top right-hand corner (it does glow in the dark, however). Measuring 900 x 400 x 3mm, the MP510 will provide a quality surface for both your mouse and keyboard.

In addition, it comes with stitched edges, which protects against fraying. However, my favourite feature is the durable Cordura fabric, which is splash-proof. This means that liquids aren't absorbed into the pad and are easily wiped off. You'll probably need snacks to keep you going throughout the day, but you won't have to worry about small accidents ruining your mousepad.

The Cooler Master MP510 XL is available to buy now at S$49 from Shopee.

4. Dell UltraSharp 34 Curved USB-C Monitor (U3419W)

Your monitor is probably one of the most important elements of your workstation. You're going to be staring at it all day, and it can be really frustrating working with a small screen that doesn't even let you lay out two windows comfortably side by side.

The Dell UltraSharp U3419W has no such problems, featuring an expansive 34-inch screen with a 21:9 aspect ratio. The 1900R curvature helps make working with such a large screen slightly more comfortable, and the crisp 3,440 x 1,440-pixel resolution means everything should look nice and sharp.

It can connect to your laptop via a USB-C cable, and it'll even supply up to 90W of power. In addition, helpful picture-in-picture and picture-by-picture modes let you view content from two different sources at the same time. It also has a handy built-in Keyboard, Video, and Mouse (KVM) feature, so you can switch between applications from two machines with the same keyboard and mouse.

You can get it at S$1,289 on Lazada (though take note it's not from Dell's store on Lazada).

If you would like to get it directly from Dell, it's going for S$1,348.

5. Logitech C920S

The shift to working from home has meant that everyone is now scrambling to procure a decent webcam for some virtual face time with their colleagues. The Logitech C920S offers 1080p video calling at 30fps, which should be plenty sharp for your co-workers. There is built-in HD auto-focus and light correction as well, so you won't look too sickly if your room lighting isn't ideal. It also supports stereo sound with most popular video apps, so you don't have to scurry to buy a standalone microphone.

Best of all, there's an integrated privacy cover. When you're done using it, you can just fold the cover down and stay safe from prying eyes.

The C920S is available to buy at S$185 on Qoo10.

Bonus entry: D-Link Covr-2202 mesh Wi-Fi system

If you are still riddled with patchy Wi-Fi coverage at home, it's time to put an end to it and invest in a new router or mesh networking system. The latter just makes things really easy and ensures you can blanket your home with Wi-Fi connectivity by just adding more mesh networking nodes. Not sure what is mesh networking about? We have you covered in our guide here.

This is exactly what the D-Link Covr-2202 does. The chic and simple-looking Covr-2202 is a tri-band mesh networking system, which means it broadcasts a single 2.4GHz network and two 5GHz networks. Dual 5Ghz networks are useful since one can be used for backhaul communication, which frees up the other networks for client connections. D-Link claims two Covr-2202 units can cover an area of up to 550sqm or 6,000 sq ft, which should be more than sufficient for most homes.

But best of all, it won the Best Mesh Networking System award at Tech Awards 2019 last year. In our tests, we found it to be the best-performing and most consistent mesh networking system by a fair margin.

The D-Link Covr-2202 is sold as a pack of two and is priced at S$309. You can find it in the D-Link store on Lazada.

Minimise your space footprint

Not everyone has the luxury of a big desk. But if you've been forced to work from a tiny desk at home, there's still hope. There's no reason why you can't still have a killer workstation.

1. Samsung Space Monitor (S27R750Q)

A monitor stand is one of those pesky things that can eat up a lot of valuable real estate on your desk. Sure, there are monitor arm options, but that is if you have a VESA compatible monitor to also go with it. Even then, it may not be aesthetically pleasing either because of the mix-match setup. To get around these issues, the Samsung Space Monitor uses a nifty clamp-type stand to free up more space on your table and purposefully designed for its screen. The stand lets you pull the monitor forward, or push it flat against the wall, so you can adjust it to suit your preferences. Pushing it back also means you instantly reclaim table space for other uses like craftwork and such.

The S27R750Q comes with a 27-inch 2,560 x 1,440-pixel panel, which is plenty sharp. The higher resolution also lets you create a wider workspace that can display more of documents and webpages with less scrolling and zooming. There are nifty features to make cable management easier as well, and the power and display cables run down a recessed channel on the rear and down the clamp stand to keep the clutter off your desk.

And if you feel so inclined, the monitor will work well for gaming too, boasting a 144Hz refresh rate for more fluid gameplay.

You can get it at S$548 from Gain City's online store. If you need something bigger, Samsung also has a 32-inch model boasting 4K resolution.

2. Aftershock Vision Mini

Desktop PCs are generally large and bulky, but not all of them have to be. The Aftershock Vision Mini is a super tiny work PC, perfect if you don't want to work off your laptop but have no room for a more traditional tower chassis.

It can be equipped with up to an AMD Ryzen 5 3400G or Intel Core i7-9700 processor, so there's something for a range of budgets. Measuring a mere 155 x 155 x 80mm, it should fit easily on even the smallest of desks and easily hide behind your monitor.

It is available now from Aftershock at a starting price of S$399.

3. Logitech G304

First announced in 2018, the Logitech G304 remains one of the most reliable wireless mice available today. If you're pressed for space, the last thing you want is the hassle of additional cables or charging docks. The G304 offers excellent tracking, flawless wireless performance and runs off a single AA battery, so you can simply swap it out whenever you need to. Not that you'll find yourself doing that often though – battery life on this mouse is absolutely phenomenal.

You can find it on Amazon.sg at S$79.

4. Keychron K2 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard

The Keychron K2 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard offers a more compact footprint while retaining most of the functionality of a full-sized keyboard, such as the function row and arrow keys. The K2 can be used in either Bluetooth mode or with a cable, and it will work with more than just your PC, with support for your phone and iPad as well. You can connect it wirelessly to up to three devices at once, and switch between screens quickly using Fn + 1/2/3.

According to Keychron, the K2 can last up to 72 hours on its 4,000mAh battery, which translates to three full days of typing. It is available with a range of switches as well, and you can pick between Gateron Blues, Browns, and Reds.

You can get it at S$129 from Shopee.

5. Bluelounge Soba

Cable management plays a big part in making your setup look good, and this is even more important if you're working with just a small area. After all, an uncluttered work area is the first step toward an uncluttered mind.

The Bluelounge Soba is a smart cable management solution that bundles up to three cables in its tubing to make them easier to manage. A convenient mechanism Bluelounge calls the Vortex zipper automatically closes up the tubing once the zipper passes, sealing the cables inside. Finally, there are three plastic mounting caps along the length of the Soba, so you can easily route your cables where you need them to go, such as under your desk or along the wall.

You can get it on Amazon.sg at S$49.30.

RGB overload

Work aside, there are the gamers who now have more time on their hands than ever to spend fragging out or exploring their favourite game world. This is the perfect opportunity to create something truly stunning with your setup, and what better way to do that than with RGB lighting, long a staple of some of the most impressive gaming battlestations around.

1. Razer Goliathus Extended Chroma

A mousepad is one of the most low-tech things you'll find on any desk. But wait, you can slap RGB lighting on it too. The Razer Goliathus Extended Chroma is ringed by LEDs, capable of displaying the full spectrum of 16.8 million colours. It can even change colour according to in-game events and be synced with other Chroma-compatible gear.

At its core, it is a cloth pad, featuring what Razer describes as a micro-textured cloth surface that offers a balance between control and speed. Measuring 920 x 294mm, this pad will offer plenty of room for both your keyboard and mouse, while still leaving space for low sensitivity players to make long swipes across its surface.

With a choice of Black, Quartz Pink, and Mercury White, you can also pick it up in a colour that matches the rest of your gear.

Get it now on Lazada at S$89.90.

2. Glorious Model O

The Glorious Model O is one of the best gaming mice to come out in 2019. Featuring a flawless 12,000DPI PMW 3360 optical sensor and an incredibly light weight of just 67g, it forced everyone to sit up and take notice of this upstart company. It also utilises a comfortable, ambidextrous shape, even if the side buttons are only on the left side, making it suitable for a wide range of grip styles.

The RGB lighting is also one of the most impressive around, with light rails running down both sides of the mouse, and brilliant LEDs shining through its perforated shell. The flexible Ascended Cord is super soft and supple, with almost zero cable drag. You can buy the Ascended Cord in a different colour if you want too, which means you can pick something that matches the rest of your setup. And if you want something smaller, there's also the Model O-, so there's something for a range of hand sizes.

The Model O and Model O- are available to buy on Lazada at S$99.

3. Hexgears Gemini Dusk

The Hexgears Gemini Dusk mechanical keyboard comes with many thoughtful features that exude quality, including an machined all-metal case, PBT doubleshot keycaps, and hot-swap switch sockets. PBT keycaps are far more resistant to shine than ABS, so it should stay in like-new condition for far longer. The hot-swap sockets are a convenient addition as well, as they'll allow you to change your switches on-the-fly and experiment with different switch types.

Dual USB-C ports provide additional cable management options, depending on whether your PC sits on your right or left. There are no keyboard feet either, and the Gemini Dusk relies on a more modern magnetic angle adjustment bar that snaps securely into place.

But best of all, the LED lights on this keyboard are simply brilliant. The entire frame is ringed by LEDs, and the shine-through legends show off the per-key lighting and animations.

It is available on the Kono Store at US$159.99, with a choice of Kailh Box White, Box Brown, or Box Red switches.

4. Logitech G560 LightSync PC gaming speakers

You can literally have RGB lighting on every piece of equipment, including your speakers. The Logitech G560 LightSync lets you extend your game world beyond your monitor, and there is support for custom effects and animations in specific games, such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Dota 2, Fortnite, Grand Theft Auto V, and more. Elsewhere, there's also an audio visualiser feature that lets it respond to music. Lower volume produces a soft breathing effect, while louder beats result in stronger pulses.

This is a 2.1 setup, and the included down-firing sub-woofer should give you pounding bass and a more immersive gaming experience. If you don't want to deal with the hassle of wires, they can be paired with your PC via Bluetooth as well.

You can find it on Lazada at S$329.

5. Philips Hue Play

The Philips Hue Play light bar attaches to your monitor, making for some very impressive ambient lighting. The bars latch onto the back of your monitor using the included 3M adhesive, and they are an excellent complement for any gaming PC. What's more, they can also be synced with Razer's Chroma lighting system for some synchronised lighting effects. This means they're also able to take advantage of Chroma integration with select games such as Overwatch, and the lights will respond to specific in-game events.

There's also a decent amount of compatibility with existing PC hardware, and you'll be able to use Hue Play together with stuff from brands like MSI, Thermaltake, and Lian Li.

The Hue Play bundle, comprising a 2-pack base kit, Hue Bridge, and Hue Play Light Extension, are available to buy on Lazada at S$397.

Bonus entry: ASUS ROG GT-AX11000 gaming router

How is a gaming router going to enhance your love for RGB overload? Well, the ASUS ROG ASUS ROG GT-AX11000 is not just any router, but one of the best Wi-Fi 6 routers we've tested to date and is a Tech Awards 2020 winner. So it packs great performance and features, plus its ROG logo on the router lights up and supports Aura RGB lighting with different lighting modes like breathing, colour cycle, and comet (check out our video of it in action here).

You can get the ASUS router at their LazMall store in Lazada for S$699 or at their official Shopee store for only S$599 at the point of writing this article.

Monochromatic goodness

Moving over to the other end of spectrum, there are those of you who just want a clean, minimalist setup. Few things satisfy that criteria more than good ol' black-and-white gear, and it's an easy way to make your desk look like something out of a zen retreat.

1. NZXT H210

The NZXT H210 is the smallest case in NZXT's iconic H Series. It features the same clean, angular lines and minimalist design, and it won't take up much space on your desk either. With a USB 3.1 (Gen 2) Type-C port on the front I/O, it's also easy to connect modern smartphones and devices to your PC.

The H210 is nothing if not modern, featuring also NZXT's signature cable management bar on the interior and a power supply shroud to help conceal messy cables. A tempered glass window sits on the side, allowing you to show off your hardware.

You can find it on Lazada at S$145.

2. Cooler Master MM710

While the Cooler Master MM710 may be targeted at gamers, it lacks any RGB lighting, and the matte white model and matching cable is a good fit for any minimalist setup. It is a featherweight at just 53g, so you'll be poised to jump into game after work if you feel so inclined. It is equipped with a 16,000DPI PMW 3389 optical sensor, which offers flawless tracking and is absent any issues like jitter or acceleration.

With its soft, flexible cable and compact design, it is nothing if not simple and supremely functional.

It is available on Lazada at S$79.

3. Glorious XXL Extended

The Glorious XXL Extended gaming mousepad measures 910 x 460mm, large enough to support both your keyboard and mouse. Available in white with black stitched etches and a discreet Glorious PC Gaming Race logo in the bottom right corner, it'll look right at home in any monochromatic workstation.

These pads are on the slower side, prioritising control over glide, but they offer consistent, reliable tracking over their entire length. And if you're worried about a white pad getting dirty quickly, they're also machine-washable.

You can find it on Lazada at S$79.

4. Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional Hybrid

The HHKB Professional Hybrid in White offers a super compact, unique layout that lends itself to high-speed, efficient typing. While you'll have to get used to using certain shortcuts and the loss of the arrow keys and function rows, it's a joy to use after you adapt to it. This particular model is equipped with a wired USB-C connection and Bluetooth, so you can opt to cut the cord for an even cleaner setup. Compatible with both PC and Mac, it was designed with programmers in mind.

Compared to the previous generation, it now comes with a full set of PBT keycaps, including the space bar, making them very resistant to shine. But the highlight is the Topre capacitive switches, which provide deliciously smooth and tactile key presses that are unlike any other switch on the market.

It's available to buy from Fujitsu at US$281.

5. Audioengine A2+ Wireless Speaker System

The Audioengine A2+ Wireless is the latest iteration of the company's smallest 2.0 desktop speaker system. Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity makes it easy to connect them to mobile devices or your desktop, which means you can do away with the hassle of additional wires. It also supports both aptX and AAC, the two major wireless audio codecs.

Wired audio will, of course, give you the best sound quality, and the speakers are equipped with a Qualcomm CSR8670 SoC that can handle PCM music of up to 16-bit/48kHz. There are RCA outputs at the back as well, so the A2+ Wireless can also function as an external DAC and output music to something like a headphone amplifier.

Available in a Hi-Gloss White finish, they make a striking addition to any desk.

You can pick them up at Treoo for S$469.

Value-for-money

But what if you're on a budget? Maybe all you need is a setup that just works, and you don't want to invest too much into a temporary arrangement. We've got you covered too.

1. Razer Viper Mini

The Razer Viper Mini is one of the most capable and value-for-money gaming mice on the market right now. It boasts an 8,500DPI PMW 3359 optical sensor, soft and flexible Speedflex cable, and a nimble 61g weight. Like the original Viper, it achieves its light weight without the need of a perforated shell, which means it's ever so slightly more comfortable to hold and won't alienate anyone who, you know, can't stand having holes in stuff.

For the price, it also comes with customisable RGB lighting and a neat underglow effect, which the bigger Viper doesn't even have, making it quite the steal.

It is available from Razer's online store at S$63.90.

2. PRISM+ F270i

If you're looking for an affordable monitor, local company PRISM+ has plenty of options. The 27-inch F270i features a 1,920 x 1,080-pixel IPS display, a 1ms time, and a 165Hz refresh rate. It's framed by slim bezels on all sides too, making for a sleeker look and more immersive viewing experience. However, its stand offers few adjustment options, and you won't be able to adjust it for height.

You can find it on Lazada at S$359.

3. Tecware Phantom 87 SE RGB Mechanical Keyboard

The Tecware Phantom 87 SE Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is surprisingly feature-rich for a keyboard at this price point. With fully customisable per-key RGB backlighting and support for 18 different lighting presets, there are nearly limitless ways you can tweak the lighting to suit your preferences. The SE also comes with a custom logo plate below the Home cluster and a new font that amplifies the LEDs for a more eye-catching display.

Elsewhere, the hot-swappable Outemu sockets will let you replace your switches on your own, no soldering required. However, do note that Cherry MX switches are not supported, and you'll be limited to Outemu switches. The keycaps are doubleshot ABS, so there's no concern about the legends fading over time, and the floating key design makes the entire keyboard easier to keep clean.

It is available on Lazada at S$59 with a choice of Outemu Blue, Brown, or Red switches.

4. Razer Kraken X

The Razer Kraken X is a solid, budget gaming headset, featuring a lightweight 250g chassis and support for 7.1-channel virtual surround sound. It uses custom-tuned 40mm drivers, which Razer says are tuned for clear and balanced sound without sacrificing on the bass. The ear cups are plush memory foam, while the headband is padded to make it more comfortable to wear over long hours. Finally, it is equipped with a flexible and bendable microphone with a cardioid pattern, which is supposed to pick up your voice more clearly while suppressing background noise from the back and sides.

There's cross-platform compatibility too, so you can use it with your PC, Mac, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, or even your phone.

You can find it on Lazada at S$69.90 in Classic Black, Console, or Mercury White.

5. Logitech C270

When the Circuit Breaker measures were first announced, webcams were among the first things to fly off the shelves. It was almost impossible to find one, much less a decent unit that would let your colleagues confer with you properly. That said, the Logitech C270 supports 720p video calling at 30fps, which should be sufficient for most purposes. With a 60° field-of-view, a single built-in microphone, and the ability to adjust to various lighting conditions, it comes with a pretty decent kit as well.

Find it on Shopee at S$69.20.

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