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Ask HN: Any particular desk hacks that make you more productive?

15 points by mirak_ ↗ HN
Ive seen everything from rubber ducks, plants, fidget toys etc. i wonder what things you guys have found useful on your workstation to increase productivity or just make work more fun in general.

16 comments

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bartvk
For the last year, I’ve been using a 43” monitor. You would say that it’s gigantic and ridiculous. But actually lots of people have a dual monitor setup and nobody says that’s weird. One 43” is like two 24” monitors and it’s magnificent, especially with something like Amethyst if you’re on macOS.
m_ke
Yeah I've been using a cheap 40" 4K TV as a monitor for like 8 years now and it's been great.
muzani
For people attempting this, keep an eye out on frame rate before buying the cheap TV. I did it once, and the eye strain was terrible. Some modern TVs have better frame rates than monitors though.
bartvk
Indeed. I've got the Samsung QM43R which has a standard 60 Hz refresh rate at 4K, and also has a pretty good brightness, 500cd/m². It's not too expensive (€ 700 in Europe with VAT) because it doesn't come with a foot. But it's not too heavy so a good desktop monitor arm will do.

For office work, nowadays I especially pay attention to maximum sustained brightness.

readflaggedcomm
Footstool. Without it, I'm just restless and can't think when I lean back. It's like taking a walk: the body assumes a new position which I guess relieves some stresses and provides some muscular refreshment.
gonzo41
I use one 27 inch monitor. I only changed after I got a new job and it's been surprising how much more focused I am with the limitation.
Snoddas
I suppose it's akin to a fidget toy but I think my cognition would halve if I didn't have my squeeze ball.
tyroh
1. Monitor / laptop lamp. Makes viewing the screen more comfortable since the light is close and consistently bright (no shadows)

2. Raising the monitor a couple of inches higher to prevent slouching, if you work seated. Might also work if you're standing, though I haven't tried yet.

3. Placing exercise equipment near my desk. Makes it easier to remember to exercise.

4. Having an indoor garden near my desk. Lots of benefits aside from the nice supply of oxygen

diplodocusaur
Getting up and go for a walk
mod
Every time I was stuck, I waited too long to do this.

The walk solved the thing I was stuck on maybe like 75% of the time. It's unreal how effective it is.

DanielVZ
A counter intuitive one was changing from a dual monitor setup to a single, slightly bigger monitor. I think it's because it discourages unnecessary multitasking at least for me.
cpach
To each their own, but my sweet spot here is a single 27″ 4K monitor.
Kosirich
Pen and paper. Just to offload thoughts (RAM) on something and write reminders/tasks that I end up converting in digital.
afarrell
A USB lavalier microphone.

1. It is easier for people to hear me, which improves communication.

2. I have QC-35s and having a separate sound input source removes the irritating buzzing sound that the QCs give off when on zoom calls.

berkeshire
Footstool. Pen and paper for long form note taking. A marker for whiteboarding. That's it.
6r0k
A standing desk plus a soccer ball (or the like) to put my foot on.

The desk encourages me to move around which keeps me more alert, and the increased circulation keeps my brain feeling more active.

By propping one foot up on the ball my posture is automatically put into better positioning allowing me to stand comfortably for longer periods; and it allows me to fidget a bit as well.

Staying active and alert like this makes me significantly more productive.