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Tag: home office

  • Branch’s Sale of the Year Brings Great Discounts to Our Favorite Home Office Gear

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    It’s hard to find home office furniture that looks great at a palatable price. That’s why you’ll find Branch’s products among our top recommendations in many of our guides. Whether it’s an office chair or a standing desk, the company’s products look good, work well, and are reasonably priced. That makes its Sale of the Year all the more appealing.

    From now through December 3, you can snag 15 percent off sitewide at branchfurniture.com, and 20 percent off bundles (like if you pair a desk and chair together). You may need to make sure you add code BFCM to your cart, though it should be there automatically. Not sure where to start? I’ve tested several Branch products over the years; here’s what’s worth the cash.

    Chair Deals

    • Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

    • Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

    • Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

    • Courtesy of Branch

    Branch

    Ergonomic Chair Pro

    This is my top recommendation for most people in my Best Office Chairs guide. There are dozens of cheaper chairs on the market, but it’s hard to find an option under $500 that’s comfortable and highly adjustable while also being attractive and offering various style options (Branch now even offers it with bouclé upholstery). The headrest is optional—I don’t think you need it—but you can adjust the seat depth, the lumbar support can be aligned and pushed inward, and you can tilt the seat forward, too.

    An orange and aluminum modern designed chair

    Courtesy of Branch

    On a tight budget? You won’t find a better chair at this $300 mark. The Ergonomic Chair has many of the same adjustment points as the Pro, including seat depth, and has a similar design. Some of those finer adjustments aren’t available, like pushing in the lumbar or the upright seat tilt. It generally won’t keep your back as upright as possible, but if you like to recline a bit, this is a great buy at this price.

    Front view of blue office chair in a room soft pink walls and hardwood floors

    Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

    I think the Branch Ergonomic Chair Pro is the better buy, but the Verve is arguably more stylish. It doesn’t have all the adjustment capabilities as the Pro, and my biggest gripe with it is the fixed arms. It’s comfy, but not a great option for folks who need a wider seat.

    Image may contain: Furniture, Chair, Armchair, Computer, Computer Hardware, Computer Keyboard, Electronics, and Hardware

    Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

    Like to cozy up in a chair on a crisp fall day and read a book? That’s pretty much what the Softside feels like. The arms are fixed and box you in, and there’s not much to adjust on the chair, but it’s very cushy and comfortable. It’s decently built for the money, but if you’re prone to back pain or generally want to improve your seating experience, you may want to look at the ergonomic options above.

    Branch chair in an office

    Photograph: Branch

    I’ve tested several active chairs, and I don’t think they’re worth the money. The experts I spoke to also said you’re better off just going for a walk than spending your time on one of these wobbly chairs. However, don’t think of Branch’s Saddle as an active chair or as “posture-improving.” Just think of it as a really nice stool. I like how the sides slope down, allowing your thighs to rest on them; it’s one of the most comfortable stools I’ve tested. You may not want to spend hours on the Saddle, but if you’re at a desk for a short time, this is a nice alternative, and it takes up very little room.

    Desk Deals

    Front view of Branch Four Leg Standing Desk with computer monitors, keyboard, microphone and other work items on top

    Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

    Branch

    Four Leg Standing Desk

    Standing desks can be a little ugly due to their standard T-shaped legs. This Branch Four Leg Standing Desk breaks the mold with an attractive design that makes it look like any other desk. The telescoping legs have motors that smoothly move the desk up and down

    Branch Duo Standing Desk with light brown top and white legs that has a small cabinet, black cutting mat, and lamp on the top

    Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

    Branch’s Duo is a great compact desk if you’re limited on space, though the company now has more size options. I like that Branch has several accessories tailor-made for this desk, including the desk tray, desk hook, headphone stand, desk perch, and even a drawer. Raising and lowering the desk via the paddles is easy, but setting up the height presets can be clunky.

    Branch Laptop Stand on a desk

    Courtesy of Branch

    Branch

    Adjustable Laptop Stand

    A desk for your laptop, this Branch Adjustable Laptop Stand is our top recommendation in our Best Laptop Stands guide. It can lift your screen as high as 7 inches above the desk, can be adjusted to almost any viewing angle, and it’s sturdy, so the laptop doesn’t bounce or shift during use. Adjusting the angles and height requires a bit of effort, but that just makes it more stable.

    Other Great Home Office Gear

    Outside of desks and office chairs, Branch has several accessories to kit out your workstation. It also doesn’t just sell its own goods on its storefront. You can find items from other smaller companies as well. Here are some other goodies I’ve tested and like that are also on sale.

    Front view of Branch Clamp On, a white electrical power strip gripping the edge of a wooden desk

    Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

    Why fish around for outlets underneath your desk when you can have them readily accessible on the desktop? Branch’s Clamp-On Power is an easy add to any desk or shelf. You get three AC outlets, a USB-A port, and a USB-C port. It’s UL-certified, has a six-foot cord, and comes in black or white.

    Image may contain: Furniture, Chair, Appliance, Device, Electrical Device, Refrigerator, Home Decor, Rug, and Filing Cabinet

    Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

    Branch

    Small Filing Cabinet

    If you need to store physical files or just want some under-desk storage for various odds and ends, the Small Filing Cabinet from Branch doesn’t take up much room. The wheels make it easy to place in a room, and assembly doesn’t take very long.

    Branch Most Modest Desk Caddy in dark green, a rectangular container with components and a wooden handle, sitting on a yellow metal locker

    Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

    Most Modest Elin Desk Caddy

    You might need a large empty space for this desk caddy because it’s much bigger than it looks, but it’s also amazingly attractive. There are four little areas for your pens and pencils, then a cavernous room for notebooks and papers you want to store on the front and back. It’s like a toolbox for your desk! It’s made from aluminum with a white oak handle and comes in several fun colors.

    Branch Mustard Made Standard Locker in bright yellow beside a chess board in a room

    Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

    Mustard Made Standard, Lowdown, and Midi Lockers

    Mustard Made’s metal lockers are on the pricey side, but they’re fairly easy to assemble (just a little time-consuming). I’ve tried several sizes and designs of these lockers, and they’re stylish! There are several colors you can choose from, and there’s plenty of space inside to house all your home office gear (aka board games).

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    Julian Chokkattu

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  • Visa fee U-turn for man hoping to reunite family

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    A father who could not afford to apply for a visa needed to move his family from Canada to the UK has had the fee waived.

    Christopher Wade’s two-year-old daughter has a British passport, but his wife was required to pay application fees and a NHS surcharge of more than £4,500.

    The couple’s application to get the costs waived was rejected in July, but two days after the BBC reported the case in October, the Home Office reversed its decision.

    Mr Wade, from Ashington, in Northumberland, said the exemption was “still sinking in” and a decision on the visa was still to be made. The Home Office said it did not comment on individual cases.

    The supermarket delivery driver said the governmental body’s U-turn on the application costs had taken “quite a bit of weight off my shoulders”.

    The couple had applied for an exemption based on being unable to afford the payment.

    The Home Office will decide whether to grant a family visa.

    “I’m really happy we’ve managed to take this huge step forward but I’m still 50:50 disheartened – it’s not over yet,” he said.

    “There is a part of us when I’m walking around at work thinking – have they read the story? What do they think?” he said.

    He said he should not have had to go through “such lengths” to get the fee waiver.

    Chris Wade said he and his wife could not afford the visa and NHS fee [Chris Wade]

    Mr Wade’s daughter Layla was born in Canada and has British citizenship.

    He met his wife, a government administrative worker, in Canada and they married in 2022.

    He planned to move across the Atlantic but when they discovered his wife was five months pregnant, the couple decided to settle in the UK where Mr Wade had an extended family network to help with childcare.

    However, due to debts he had accrued earlier in his life, as well as daycare costs, it was impossible for the couple to save up the £1,938 required for a UK family visa application as well as £2,588 for the required two-and-a-half-year NHS surcharge, he said.

    Chris Boyle, who works for the charity North East Law Centre and is giving the couple free advice, said he believed they had always met the Home Office’s exemption requirements and that they had been wrongly rejected in July.

    He said there had been no explanation from the Home Office for its U-turn.

    Mr Wade said he understood the need for immigration rules but felt the current system unfairly penalised UK citizens with families and children abroad.

    “All these problems are unnecessarily ruining people’s lives,” he said.

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  • The LiberNovo Omni Office Chair Has a Built-in Battery for Motorized Lumbar Adjustments

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    The Omni looks nice. It’s a step up from your average office chair design, with a bit of class and a design language on the backrest that resembles the spine-like look of the Herman Miller Embody. It comes in Midnight Black or Space Gray (creative names), and my unit is the latter. The company says the Omni can support people up to 300 pounds.

    I don’t think I’ve sat on an office chair with softer padding than the Omni. The multi-density sponge cushion material of the seat and backrest is plush without feeling like you’re sinking in, because it isn’t super thick. It’s very comfortable, and the softness of the material is still what surprises me the most about the Omni after sitting on it for weeks.

    It’ll be interesting to see how the fabric holds up after more than a year of use. So far, it still looks great after close to a month of sitting, though it likes to collect hair. It’s hard to gauge breathability as we’re now in the cooler months, but my back feels a little warm after a few hours on the chair. If you’re in a hot environment, you’ll likely feel sweaty. It’s not as bad as the vegan leather-covered foam on most gaming chairs, but it won’t offer the breathability of a true mesh.

    The armrests aren’t much to write home about—you can move them up or down, forward and back, and angle them inward or outward. You can’t push them toward or away from your body like on the Embody, but this is standard for a chair at this price (which is $1,099 MSRP, though the company seems to have a persistent sale of $848). I appreciate that the arms don’t easily shift or slide around, which is a common problem with many chairs. The armrest itself isn’t too hard, and the material feels fairly durable.

    A Battery-Powered Chair

    Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

    The Bionic FlexFit Backrest is the Omni’s highlight, which uses the battery-powered ErgoPulse Motor System for configuration. It’s essentially a motorized way to ensure the backrest lines up perfectly against your back; no need to fiddle around with an awkward lumbar support. There are three buttons on the left armrest. The front two shift the backrest support up or down, and the third is a spinal massage function, which I’ll address later.

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    Julian Chokkattu

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  • The Best Webcams for Looking Brighter and Better

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    Compare Top 7 Best Webcams

    Before You Buy, Try Using Your Smartphone

    You may not need a dedicated webcam at all. It’s actually really easy to use your smartphone’s cameras as a webcam instead, and they’re usually far superior. Recent iPhones, for example, have a feature called Continuity Camera—this works with certain MacBooks and allows you to wirelessly use the iPhone’s camera as a webcam. Apple even sells a Belkin mount that lets you hang your iPhone off the top of your MacBook or external monitor for the full effect.

    Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

    Belkin

    iPhone Mount With MagSafe for MacBooks

    Google Pixel phones also now feature wired webcam support. All you need to do is plug in a Pixel to your computer and choose the Webcam option for it to work. You’ll just need a tripod to keep it propped up; something like this Joby GripTight will do the job.

    Don’t have either of these devices? Don’t fret. We have a full guide on How to Use Your Smartphone as a Webcam with multiple methods no matter what PC or phone you own. Got a professional camera? We have a guide on setting it up as a webcam too.

    Lighting and Microphones Matter

    An easy way to improve your existing webcam is to add a light source. Webcams have small camera sensors so they often need a lot of light to deliver good results.

    7 Best Webcams Tested and Reviewed

    Courtesy of Lume Cube

    Lume Cube Mini LED Panel for $70: Something simple like this will do the trick. You can adjust the brightness and the color temperature to match your room’s lighting. It works off of battery power or you can leave it plugged in via the USB-C cable to run for however long you want. The two quarter-inch threads mean you can use any tripod or light stand to mount it on your desk. It also comes with a diffuser to soften the light when it illuminates your face. We have more lighting options in our Home Video Gear guide.

    Webcams also have poor microphones. They’ll do the job but you’ll probably sound tinny. There’s a good chance your laptop’s mics are actually better, so try using those instead. Videoconferencing apps let you choose which mic you have to use, so just because you have a separate webcam doesn’t mean you have to use its built-in mic. Another option is to upgrade to a USB mic.

    Blue Yeti Nano Microphone

    Courtesy of Amazon

    Logitech Blue Yeti Nano USB Mic for $98: These microphones are the standard-bearer in the world of USB microphones, and the Nano packs everything most people need in a smaller footprint. Plug it into your computer and once you choose this mic in your video-calling settings as the default, you’ll immediately start hearing the compliments from people on the other end. Read our Best USB Mics guide for more details.

    Most videoconferencing software cap the resolution at 1080p for bandwidth purposes, so a 4K webcam may not be necessary at all. However, almost all 4K webcams come with software that lets you crop in or re-frame the image, allowing you to, say, move something in the background of your home office out of frame. This won’t affect your image quality much either, at least compared to cropping in on a 1080p webcam. 4K webcams often have better image quality in general too. They’re more expensive, but if you can afford it, they’ll serve you better.

    Also, it’s important to consider that 4K webcams often shoot at 30 frames per second, but often give you 1080p at 60 frames per second, which can be important, depending on the use case.

    Understanding Megapixels, Resolutions, and Sensors

    What matters with a webcam is the picture quality, but there are a number of camera specs that play into that. For starters, what we usually just call “resolution” is the pixel count of the final image, usually either 1080p, 1440p, or 4K. The sharpness of this final image is important, but it doesn’t alone tell the whole story on image quality.

    The camera sensor itself also has a resolution, which is usually referred to in terms of megapixels, which is just the total number of pixels (rather than resolution, which uses a width by height dimension). More megapixels can produce higher-quality images, but the physical size of the sensor is also important. A larger sensor with a lower megapixel count will often result in better images. There is, of course, other important parts of cameras, such as aperture of the lens, which controls how much light is captured and can effect low-light performance. Most webcams have an aperture of f/2.0, but some models that have better low-light performance like the Emeet SmartCam S800 or Insta360 Link 2 have a wider f/1.8 aperture.

    And lastly, the image processing has a lot to do with the final quality of the image. Webcams these days use lots of AI-based image processing to sharpen and balance the image around your face, including filtering out noise and smoothing out skin tone. Most of us want this to look as natural as possible, and there’s no question that some webcams are too heavy-handed.

    Other Good Webcams

    7 Best Webcams Tested and Reviewed

    Photograph: Luke Larsen

    Emeet Pixy for $128: With its dual camera setup, this adorable little PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) camera is like having a little robot friend hanging out on your monitor. Like the Insta360 Link 2 or Obsbot Tiny 2, the Emeet Pixy can detect your face and follow you around your setting, as well as respond to hand gestures. The tracking was quite good, though in terms of image quality, it didn’t quite live up to my hopes. It’s 4K and has a half-inch sensor, but it can’t handle tough lighting situations as well as something like the Emeet SmartCam S800. Still, it’s a solid, cheaper alternative to the Obsbot Tiny 2 Lite—and it’s just downright cute.

    Logitech Brio 4K for $170: The original Brio from 2017 was one of the earliest mainstream webcams to offer 4K resolution at 30 fps. Logitech gave it a minor update in 2022 with updated software and a privacy shutter, but the old model is still a fine purchase that’s a little cheaper. The white balance is still accurate, and my skin color always looks normal, whether I’m in a sunny room, in limited light, or using artificial light. The autofocus is fast and subtle when refocusing, and the image is razor-sharp. Plus, you can choose from 65, 78, and a superwide 90 degrees for your field of view, giving you some framing options. If you’re using a Windows machine, you can set it up to work with Windows Hello for face authentication to log in.

    Dell UltraSharp Webcam

    Courtesy of Dell

    Dell UltraSharp Webcam for $156: The UltraSharp Webcam feels incredibly substantial and is solid enough to take with you anywhere. Everything from the webcam body to the stand to the included tripod adapter is made of brushed aluminum. The stand and tripod adapter connects to the webcam body with a magnetic post that makes for a secure mount. The privacy cap connects magnetically and stays put with a satisfyingly strong hold, but it isn’t hard to remove. The inside of the cap is padded with a soft-touch fabric to keep it from scratching the lens. Even the forward-facing part of the stand is covered in soft-touch rubber to keep you from scratching the back of your laptop lid if you get a little reckless when setting up for a Zoom call. You can adjust the viewing angle between 65, 78, and 90 degrees and record in 4K resolution at 24 or 30 frames per second, as well as in 720p or 1080p resolutions at 24, 30, or 60 frames per second. However, the picture quality of the Dell isn’t any better than the Logitech MX Brio. It doesn’t have any microphones.

    Obsbot Tiny 2 Webcam for $299: I used Obsbot’s first Tiny 4K PTZ webcam with great results for more than a year, and after switching to the new Tiny 2, it’s just as great. The 4K-capable picture quality looks great, and the camera does an excellent job of following my movement. The company has also really polished its software over the years, offering lots of customization. It can respond to your hand gestures, but you can also buy a remote to control it, making it great for presentations and group video calls. It’s quite expensive, though. We haven’t tested the newer Tiny 2 Lite, but it’s cheaper, more compact, and has a smaller sensor.

    Insta360 Link for $180: This 4K webcam is an impressive beast. Mounted on a powered gimbal that rotates horizontally and vertically, the Insta360 Link (8/10, WIRED Recommends) will follow, refocus, and zoom in and out (up to 4X zoom) automatically as you move around the screen. It’ll even zoom in on presentation boards or papers you want to show off on your call. It offers outstanding sharpness, color contrast, and white balance in the choice of recording in 24, 25, and 30 frames per second in 4K resolution. There are dual noise-canceling microphones and a screw mount on the bottom for attaching it to a tripod, too. The only thing it lacks is a physical privacy shutter, but the camera points downward when it’s not in use. The Link 2 is a better buy, but this model has a three-axis gimbal that makes it more versatile than the Link 2’s two-axis gimbal.

    Don’t Bother With These Webcams

    Image may contain Electronics Camera Webcam Power Drill and Tool

    Courtesy of Adorama

    Not every webcam is an upgrade over the built-in one on your laptop. These are the models I tested that ranged from merely unimpressive to ones that made me look like the subject of a second-grade art project.

    Microsoft LifeCam Studio for $85: It says it’s a 1080p webcam, but there’s a catch—that’s only for recording video. Using it for video calls restricts you to 720p. My coworkers commented on how out of focus I constantly was. The white balance was so off that I looked more orange than an Oompa Loompa. And the exposure was so blown out that I never stopped looking like I was living through the last scenes of The Lighthouse. There was also a lot of lag in my movements and bad motion blur.

    Logitech Brio 500 for $130: This webcam has wacky adjustments. Held onto the base via a magnet, panning it downward often pulled it off the base instead of adjusting the angle, and swiveling it left or right caused it to loosen so much it wouldn’t stay put. That meant I kept having to pull it off the magnetic stand, screw the mount back down, and reposition it—and then not adjust it during the rest of the Zoom. That said, the image quality of its 1080p resolution, white balance, and color contrast was quite good, if not excellent, and it came with a USB-C connection and a physical privacy shutter. The autofocus could stand to be a touch quicker. Other positives are that you can get it in black, white, or pink, two more colors than what most webcams offer.

    Logitech Brio 300 for $60: The image quality is lacking on this one. Even in a fairly well-lit room, my picture was grainy. It also did weird things with the white balance as it autofocused. The field of view is quite narrow at 70 degrees and non-adjustable, so the image onscreen is up in your face. You’ll want to scoot back quite a bit so everybody else isn’t looking up your nose. Like the Brio 500, it comes in black, white, and pink, connects via USB-C, and has a physical privacy shutter. There are better options for this price without these image quality oddities.

    Razer Kiyo X for $48: The Kiyo X does away with the integrated ring light of the original Kiyo, but it does have automatic white balance and color saturation. Video picture settings can be tweaked in the Razer Synapse app, too. It also shoots 1080p-resolution video at 30 frames per second or 720p resolution at 60 frames per second. Its field of vision is a slightly wide 82 degrees. The built-in mics are nothing to write home about, so stick to the ones in your laptop or grab a USB mic. Sadly, there is no privacy shutter.

    Razer Kiyo Pro for $130: Although it looks similar to its cheaper, non-pro sibling, the Pro ditches the light ring and instead relies on software to compensate for low-light conditions. I resented having to download the Razer Synapse app to get a decent image out of the Kiyo Pro. Yes, fine-tuning settings is a very WIRED thing to do, but most people just want to plug their webcam in. Once you fiddle with the app settings, the image is sharp and beautiful. However, it has the same overly obvious autofocusing as the regular Kiyo, and it’s also a little overpriced. It’s not a bad pick, but again, the Logitech Brio can do 4K/30 fps, as opposed to this camera, which tops out at 1080p/60 fps.

    Creative Labs Live! Sync 4K for $57: I was skeptical about a 4K resolution webcam for this price, and my skepticism was validated in the wildly strange white balance that turned me and everything faintly orange. It may be the only webcam that made my room look darker than it was. The privacy shutter is a rubber cap you put on and take off. The bit that holds it to the webcam when it’s off is flimsy enough that if you’re rough or careless, you could rip it off, but it’s nice that it isn’t plastic, which would weaken over time. A minor issue is that the black cap blends in with the black webcam and lens, so, at a glance, it’s hard to tell whether the cap is on or off.

    Cisco Desk Camera 1080p for $131: Not to be confused with Cisco’s almost identically named Desk Camera 4K. I tried the 1080p, 8-MP version in a variety of natural and artificial lighting, but my fellow Gear Team members and I couldn’t help but notice that no matter how I used it, the video looked overly pixelated. Unless a webcam can make me look as good pixelated as Axel from Streets of Rage, then I want smooth video that looks like it’s 1080p. During Zooms, the Desk Camera 1080p had trouble with focusing and zooming, frequently and jarringly refocusing but never getting it quite right.

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    Luke Larsen, Julian Chokkattu

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  • Luminkey’s Magger68 Plus Bridges the Hall Effect and Mechanical Keyboard World

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    Once the settings are properly adjusted, though, this keyboard performs incredibly well. The actuation distance of each switch can be manually adjusted, meaning it can register a key-press anywhere from the very top of the key-press to the very bottom, and multiple inputs can even be mapped at different distances. The keyboard is responsive, with an 8,000-Hz polling rate, and the low latency barely produces any significant input lag.

    This keyboard is wired-only, which might be a dealbreaker for some. It’s a fairly dense, all-metal keyboard that has a significant focus on high-speed use, none of which is necessary for a portable keyboard. While wireless would be nice, it would increase the price of this keyboard and its complexity.

    The RGB lighting has over 20 built-in presets, and all of them work well, but the color isn’t perfect. When adjusting the lighting settings, nearly all of them seem to skew heavily toward a cyan/blue tint. This is presumably because of the Magnetic Jade switches’ light blue housing, which is unavoidable without using different switches, but even without switches, the LED diodes seem to be slightly cooler than a true neutral white.

    These effects combine to make a keyboard that struggles to have a pure white color even with serious tweaking, especially since the RGB adjustments easily get overwhelmed and start to lag when moving your cursor around on the color wheel. The closest I could get to a pure white was with an RGB setting of [255, 60, 90], which still had a slightly cool tint to it. When set to the “breathe” setting at a low speed with this color, the lighting was choppy as it faded out, and slowly shifted to be red as it became darker instead of maintaining the preset color. When set to a faster speed and using a more standard color setting (like solid blue or green), these quirks disappeared.

    Internal Assembly

    Photograph: Henri Robbins

    The internal assembly is rather simple: The printed circuit board (PCB) and switch plate are screwed together, sandwiching a sheet of silicone between them. This silicone fills the empty space between the plate and PCB, and extends past on the outside edge to create gaskets that the two halves of the case hold in place. With this, the internal assembly is held in place without making direct contact with the outside case, reducing vibration and excess noise.

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    Henri Robbins

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  • The DeltaForce 65 Brings Das Keyboard Into the Modern Keyboard Era—for Better or Worse

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    A series of shallow grooves line either side of the case’s bottom half. These seem to mimic the side sculpts of some limited-run custom keyboards, and they have a functional purpose, making it easier to lift the keyboard. The design is mirrored in the aluminum knob in the top right corner, which has a similar motif. I really like that these designs are not only ornamental but actually have a functional purpose during regular use.

    Going further into the aesthetic choices of this keyboard, it loses me a bit with the keycaps. I’m not a big fan of the camouflage design. The shapes don’t always line up across keycaps, and it overall seems tacky. However, the print quality is top-notch, with no fuzziness or discoloration, consistent even along the keycaps’ sides. Because the keycaps are white with multicolored printing on top, the RGB lighting is able to bounce between the white plastic plate and the white undersides of the keycaps, appearing brighter and diffusing more evenly across the keyboard.

    With a polling rate of 1,000 Hz (meaning the keyboard sends 1,000 messages to the computer every second), the DeltaForce 65 feels snappy and responsive. This combines with the relatively light Gateron Red switches to make a keyboard that’s effective for gaming while still being comfortable to type on. It doesn’t compare to high-end gaming keyboards with Hall effect switches and 8,000-Hz polling rates, which are going to be faster and more customizable, but for casual gaming, it’s more than enough.

    The compact size of the keyboard is ideal for gaming, saving a significant amount of space compared to a full-size keyboard. This allows for more mouse space and lets your hands sit closer together for more rapid movement between the mouse and keyboard. To make up for the loss of the function row up top, you can hold the FN key and press the corresponding number key (i.e., FN+1 = F1), and the FN key can be used with some other keys for the Home, Pause, Print Screen, and other removed keys. The knob in the top right is easy to reach and has a satisfying notchiness to it. It’s programmed to adjust volume by default, but can be remapped to nearly anything else.

    Software Quirks

    Photograph: Henri Robbins

    As far as programmability, VIA is the star of the show here. The DeltaForce65 uses an open source system known as QMK for its programmability, and VIA is an in-browser interface based on QMK that allows for seamless, rapid customization of the keyboard’s layout. The system is incredibly powerful and intuitive to use, and a common capability of many modern mechanical keyboards.

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    Henri Robbins

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  • Don’t Buy a Random USB Hub Off Amazon. Get These WIRED-Tested Models Instead

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    USB hubs should be simple devices, but apparently it’s not possible to make One Port to Rule Them All without things getting a little messy. We have a full explainer here, but if you just want to get the basics before you buy your hub, here are a few things to keep in mind.

    Ports speeds matter; version numbers don’t. It’s tempting to look at a USB 3.2 label and assume it’s faster than USB 3.0, but unfortunately, that’s not the case. In fact, many manufacturers have started defaulting to writing the speed of individual ports directly onto the device itself, rather than relying on version numbers on spec sheets.

    Use Thunderbolt for your most data-hungry devices. Thunderbolt is a beefed-up version of USB, developed by Intel and Apple, that uses the same USB-C port you’re familiar with. These can carry huge amounts of data (up to 40 Gbps for Thunderbolt 3 and 4), which makes them ideal for things like SSDs, 4K and 8K displays, or monitors with ultrahigh frame rates for gaming. We’re now up to Thunderbolt 5, which is slowly making its way into some laptops. (Make sure your laptop port supports Thunderbolt.)

    Don’t forget the power. Most USB hubs will draw electricity directly from your laptop to power any devices connected to it, but they obviously need to take up a port to do so. However, some hubs support USB Power Delivery (or USB-PD, sometimes marketed as “passthrough charging”) which allows you to plug a charger into one of the ports on the hub so you can keep charging your laptop while you plug in all your extra gadgets.

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    Luke Larsen

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  • Corsair’s New Sabre v2 Pro Gaming Mouse Is Impossibly Light

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    The lack of Bluetooth connectivity is, presumably, for weight savings, but it makes this mouse inconvenient as a travel option. The lack of rigidity already makes traveling with it seem unwise. It’s meant to be kept on a desk.

    The mouse has a total of five buttons: The left and right clicks, the middle click, and the two side buttons, which are mapped to “forward” and “back” by default. There are five built-in sensitivity presets, ranging from 400 to 2,000 dpi. These presets can be adjusted, and the number of presets can be decreased. With the default button maps, you can cycle through the presets by holding down the right click and back button for three seconds. The scroll wheel will flash three times to indicate that the setting has changed. It’s a little convoluted. More importantly, the dpi switch only works if the rear side button is mapped to the “back” key. When I remapped this button to anything else, the combination didn’t work.

    Photograph: Henri Robbins

    Corsair recently unveiled its in-browser Web Hub utility, replacing its iCue software for peripheral management. It’s a vast improvement, being easier to navigate and less issue-prone than its predecessor. With the utility, you can easily adjust settings like polling rate, dpi, and button mapping. However, a mouse this simple really doesn’t have much to adjust. I quickly remapped the side buttons, cranked the polling rate to 8,000 Hz, and never needed to use the software again (outside of testing). The only catch is that in-browser management means you need an internet connection, though maybe you have bigger issues if that’s the case.

    The Sabre v2 Pro also includes rubberized “grip tape” stickers, applied to the primary buttons and either side of the mouse. These can improve grip and only increase weight by half a gram, but they don’t make a massive difference in functionality unless you have particularly sweaty hands. More than anything else, it makes the mouse feel softer and provides some added comfort. However, I found that the tape was limited-use. After removing and reapplying it a couple of times, the edges started to peek back when holding the mouse.

    By Any Means Necessary

    Corsair Sabre V2 Pro Ultralight Gaming Mouse Review Impossibly Light

    Photograph: Henri Robbins

    This mouse has an ethos of lightness at any cost. It weighs practically nothing, to the point that it feels surreal when you’re holding it. You can easily flex the plastic by squeezing either side of the mouse, and pressing from the top and bottom too hard will cause one of the side buttons to actuate. Pressing hard on the mouse from any side causes a small creaking noise to emit from the shell.

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    Henri Robbins

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  • First migrants arrive from France under ‘one in one out’ deal

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    A family of three, including a small child, are the first people to arrive in the UK under the government’s “one in, one out” agreement with France.

    The move follows the removal of four migrants from the UK so far under the pilot scheme.

    “This is a clear message to people-smuggling gangs that illegal entry into the UK will not be tolerated,” a Home Office spokesperson said.

    “We will continue to detain and remove those who arrive by small boat.”

    It is the latest development in the implementation of an agreement the government hopes will deter people from making the dangerous and illegal journey over the English Channel.

    There is no suggestion from either the French or British governments that the plan will, on its own, smash the cross-channel trade.

    Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is also seeking to dismantle criminal smuggling networks behind the crossings that the Home Office say “profit from human misery”.

    However, the pilot has faced criticism from political opponents and rights groups.

    Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp has previously said the government’s deal with the French would be less effective than the Rwanda plan proposed by the previous Tory government, and would offer “no deterrent effect whatsoever”.

    The numbers returned so far were “pathetic”, he added.

    The charity Asylum Matters, meanwhile, has argued that “the only way to stop people from making dangerous journeys is to give them real safe routes to seek sanctuary”.

    The “one in, one out” scheme was announced in July.

    Under the treaty, France agreed to take back migrants who had travelled to the UK by small boat and had their asylum claim withdrawn or declared inadmissible.

    For each person returned to France, the UK will accept someone with a case for protection as a refugee who has not attempted to cross the Channel.

    While this removal has been delayed, the government has been successful in sending four others to France who had arrived in the UK on a small boat.

    Last week, an Indian national was the first person to be removed from the UK, followed days later by an Eritrean man, despite a legal bid to delay his departure.

    Home Office sources said an Iranian male had also been returned to France, and later the department said an Afghan national had been returned.

    However, the Home Office was refused permission on Tuesday to appeal against a temporary injunction blocking another Eritrean man from being removed.

    In a last-minute reprieve, the High Court in London gave him at least 14 days to make representations to support his claim that he is a victim of modern slavery.

    More than 30,000 people have crossed the Channel in small boats so far this year.

    The total number of small boat crossings in the English Channel this year has dipped below record levels for the first time since 3 March, new government figures suggest.

    In the year to 23 September, 32,188 people arrived in the UK by small boat, 148 fewer than at the same point in 2022.

    French authorities say they have prevented more than 17,600 attempted crossings this year. But under maritime law, French officers say they cannot intervene once boats are in the water unless there is a threat to life.

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  • Lumbar Support Can Make a Huge Difference in Your Office Chair

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    I also spoke to John Gallucci, a licensed physical therapist and athletic trainer who specializes in treating symptoms from poor office posture, and he confirmed much of what Egbert said. Closed case, right? Well, it’s certainly not just marketing speak so that office chair manufacturers can charge you extra. But there are some important factors to consider.

    Not All Lumbar Support Is Equal

    Gallucci was quick to point out the benefits of lumbar support, but he also issued some warnings about how to proceed. Turns out, not all lumbar support is equal. “The most important thing to look for in a chair is ergonomic adjustability,” he says, referencing the need for adjustable lumbar support. “A good chair should support your posture for long periods without causing discomfort or fatigue. That means it should allow you to adjust the seat height, seat pan depth, armrests, lumbar support, and backrest tilt.”

    Chairs with fixed lumbar support mean it isn’t adjustable to your body. Lumbar support and adjustments come in different forms these days. For example, some chairs have lumbar height adjustment but not depth, also known as “two-way” adjustment. Some use a dial for adjustment, and others use a ratchet or lever system. Other chairs let you adjust the entire backrest to find the right position, and some cheaper chairs resort to just a simple pad that can be manually moved. These can, in theory, all be good solutions, so long as you’re able to find the right position.

    “That curve has to be adjustable as to where it is,” Egbert says. “My butt might be lower than your butt, and you want it to match where that curve in your lower back is. You want to be able to slide it up and down.”

    A good example of an ergonomic chair with “two-way” lumbar adjustment is the Branch Ergonomic Chair Pro. We’ve tested dozens of chairs, and this excellent lumbar support is one of the reasons WIRED’s office chair reviewer, Julian Chokkattu, found it so comfortable. It also doesn’t cost over a thousand dollars like so many high-end office chairs.

    If you aren’t ready to shell out $500 on an ergonomic chair, that doesn’t mean you have to be doomed to lower back pain. Some DIY solutions can even be better than a chair with inadequate lumbar adjustment. We’ve even tested some add-on lumbar cushions that we like, such as this LoveHome model you can find on Amazon.

    When it comes down to it, though, lumbar support isn’t the first thing to tackle when setting up your workspace. If you’re sitting at an old desk working from only a laptop, lumbar support is never going to solve your posture issues. Fix that first, with either a laptop stand or a height-adjustable monitor.

    After that, yes, lumbar support is a good thing. It needs to be adjustable and well-implemented, but it’s something you’ll want to make sure is available on your next office chair. If you’re sitting for eight hours a day, your back deserves it.

    Branch

    Ergonomic Chair Pro

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    Luke Larsen

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  • Stop Using Your Laptop at the Dinner Table Already

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    Branch Ergonomic Chair Pro

    Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

    Kristianne Egbert has worked in occupational ergonomics for nearly 20 years and is now a senior corporate ergonomist at Briotix Health, a workplace injury prevention company. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Egbert also says that repeated use of a laptop alone on a desk is going to have a huge effect on your overall posture.

    Egbert referred to what’s known as the 20-degree rule. If you’re holding your neck at an angle of 20 degrees or more, you’re officially crossing the risk threshold. “You’re probably bending over because you’re leaning forward to see that screen and be able to reach the keyboard,” she says.

    Sitting back farther in your chair might seem like a fix to the problem temporarily, but in reality, bending beyond 20 degrees isn’t the real issue. Most people aren’t comfortable holding that position for long periods of time, which means it’s what else your body does to compensate that’s problematic.

    “Nobody really wants to bend their head that much more than 20 degrees,” Egbert says. “So, when you don’t want to bend your neck forward, then the rest of your body is going to try and accommodate.”

    You might tilt your whole back forward to avoid that extreme neck posture to type on the keyboard and see the screen of your laptop. That’s where bad posture habits really form. It’s not that you need to just suck it up and have better posture. You need to change the way you’re working, not necessarily your discipline.

    “The other thing that ends up happening when your back starts getting tired is you’re like, ‘OK, well, I’m gonna scoot back a little bit to keep my back a little straighter,’” she says, demonstrating the position over the Zoom call. “But then, my arms are going to come out a little bit more, and I’m anchoring my wrist down while I’m typing.” This position can cause all sorts of other problems.

    It’s even worse for shorter people, who are often working from chairs that aren’t tall enough. Egbert often recommends putting the laptop down on the lap, so that your arms can be down “where they belong.” You can tilt the laptop screen and look down at it, cutting the risk of leaning forward too much.

    What to Do Instead

    Image may contain Computer Hardware Electronics Hardware and Mouse

    Hansker Productivity Mouse

    Photograph: Henri Robbins

    Fortunately, there are some simple (and even affordable!) solutions to this ergonomic disaster. Both experts I interviewed indicated that your office chair is a good place to start for better posture and office ergonomics. (We have an excellent guide that can help.)

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    Luke Larsen

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  • UK’s demand for Apple backdoor may have been broader than previously thought

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    The UK’s Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) has submitted a new legal filing, suggesting that authorities wanted the iCloud backdoor they’re demanding Apple to create to be able to access more data than previously thought. According to the Financial Times, UK’s Home Office has also yet to legally withdraw or change its order for Apple to create backdoor access to its users’ data. If you’ll recall, US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard claimed a few days ago that the UK “has agreed to drop its mandate for Apple to provide a ‘back door’ that would have enabled access to the protected encrypted data of American citizens and encroached on [their] civil liberties.” It’s still unclear if the Home Office merely hasn’t started the process of withdrawing the mandate yet.

    IPT is an independent judicial body that investigates complaints about alleged unlawful surveillance from UK authorities. The Times reported in March that Apple challenged the UK government at the IPT after receiving a secret order from the Home Office to build a backdoor for iCloud data. Apple is not allowed to publicly discuss the order, but it first acknowledgment that it received a mandate from UK authorities when it disabled iCloud’s Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature in the UK back February.

    “Apple remains committed to offering our users the highest level of security for their personal data and are hopeful that we will be able to do so in the future in the United Kingdom. As we have said many times before, we have never built a backdoor or master key to any of our products or services and we never will,” the company said in a statement back then. It’s worth noting that the UK government has yet to confirm or deny the order’s existence, and IPT will be hearing the case based on “assumed facts.”

    The order reportedly states the Apple has the obligation to “provide and maintain a capability to disclose categories of data stored within a cloud-based service,” which indicates that the government looked to gain access to people’s passwords and messages. In addition, the Times says the order was “not limited to” data protected by Apple’s ADP, suggesting that authorities wanted broad access to Apple iCloud accounts.

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    Mariella Moon

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  • How to create a home workspace that fits your lifestyle – Growing Family

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    Collaborative post

    Working from home used to feel like a luxury, but for a lot of us, it’s just normal life now. Whether you’re working full-time remotely, running your own business, or just need a spot to manage bills and side projects, having a home workspace that feels right for you can be a game-changer.

    Your workspace doesn’t need to look like those Pinterest-perfect offices with white walls and matching furniture. What really matters is that it fits your lifestyle – how you work, how you move, and even how you relax when the day is done.

    Here’s how to create a home workspace that’s comfortable, practical, and totally you.

    desk with laptop and large monitor

    Start by working out what you actually need

    Before you buy a single piece of furniture, take a step back and think about how you actually work. Do you spend most of your day typing, or are you hopping from calls to emails to projects? Do you need two screens, or are you fine with just a laptop?

    If you’re the kind of person who needs peace and quiet to concentrate, then your workspace should reflect that. On the other hand, if you like having a little background noise or being close to family activity, maybe you don’t need to shut yourself away completely.

    The point is: don’t copy someone else’s setup just because it looks good. Start with your own habits.

    Location really does matter

    Now that you know what you need from a home workspace, think about where you’re going to set up shop. Not everyone has a spare room to turn into an office, and that’s fine. Sometimes a corner of the living room or even a part of your bedroom can do the job.

    If you can, choose a spot with natural light. It does wonders for your mood and helps you feel more awake. But if all you’ve got is a windowless corner, good lighting can save the day. A desk lamp with warm light makes a huge difference compared to harsh overhead bulbs.

    If distractions are a problem, noise-canceling headphones or even a simple room divider can help create a sense of separation.

    Invest in your comfort (don’t skip this)

    Here’s the truth: if your chair is uncomfortable, you’ll notice it within an hour. If your desk height is wrong, your shoulders and wrists will tell you in a week. Bad setups creep up on you, and before you know it, you could be dealing with back pain, stiff necks, or headaches.

    This is why investing in a good chair and desk is probably the best thing you can do. Look for a chair that supports your lower back and can be adjusted to your height. A desk that lets your arms rest at a natural angle will help you stay comfortable for longer stretches.

    Some people also like to switch things up with a standing table, which is a great way to keep your body from feeling stuck in one position all day. It doesn’t mean you’ll stand for eight hours straight, but having the option to alternate between sitting and standing can help keep your energy up and reduce aches and pains.

    home workspace with laptop and vase of flowershome workspace with laptop and vase of flowers

    Add a bit of “You” into the mix

    This is where the fun starts – personalising your workspace. A home office shouldn’t feel sterile. It should be somewhere in your home that you enjoy spending time.

    Bring in things that make you feel good. This could be a plant on your desk, a picture that inspires you, or even just your favourite mug. It doesn’t have to be much, just a few little touches that make the space feel yours.

    Colour also matters. Some people find blues and greens calming, while others like brighter, more energising tones. Don’t be afraid to experiment a little.

    Keep tech from taking over

    If you’ve ever had to untangle a nest of charging cables, you know how stressful a messy desk can feel. Organising your tech is one of those small changes that makes a huge difference.

    Cable clips, docking stations, or even just a simple basket to hide away chargers can tidy things up. If you use more than one device, consider wireless accessories so you’re not constantly swapping cords.

    Also, don’t underestimate the importance of a reliable internet connection and a decent webcam or microphone if you’re on calls often. Those little upgrades can make your work smoother and less frustrating.

    Build habits around your space

    A great workspace helps, but good habits keep you productive. If you blur the line between “work” and “home,” it’s easy to feel like you’re never really off the clock.

    One trick is to set clear start and end times for your day. Even if you don’t commute, you can create your own ritual. Maybe that’s making a cup of coffee before you start, or taking a quick walk when you finish.

    You should also always aim to take regular breaks. Getting up to stretch or step outside for a few minutes is a. great way to reset your brain. Your workspace is there to support you, but you also need to support yourself.

    Stay flexible

    Life can change, jobs can change, and even your energy levels can change. That’s why it’s a good idea to keep your workspace flexible.

    Modular shelves, rolling carts, or furniture you can easily rearrange give you room to adapt. Maybe you’ll need more storage in six months, or maybe you’ll shift your desk to catch better light in winter. If your setup can move with you, it’ll always feel like it fits.

    a woman taking a break to relax while sitting at a deska woman taking a break to relax while sitting at a desk

    Don’t forget your well-being

    The setup of your workspace isn’t solely about being productive. It’s about supporting your health, too. Sitting in one place for too long isn’t great for your body, and working in isolation isn’t great for your mind.

    So, build in movement. Stretch, go for a walk, or do a few quick exercises during the day. And for mental health, keep your space clean and organised, and stay connected with people outside of work.

    Your workspace should make life easier, not more stressful.

    Final thoughts

    Creating a home workspace that fits your lifestyle isn’t about having the most expensive furniture or a picture-perfect office. It’s about making a space that feels comfortable, works for the way you live, and helps you stay focused without draining your energy.

    Start with your needs, find the right spot, get comfortable, and add personal touches that make you smile. Keep your tech organised, stick to habits that give your day structure, and don’t forget to prioritise your well-being.

    When your home workspace feels like a natural extension of your life, work stops feeling like a struggle and starts feeling more balanced. And that’s the whole point.

    Have you managed to create a home workspace that supports your individual needs? Share your tips in the comments.

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    Catherine

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  • Switch to an Ergonomic Mouse and Give Your Wrists a Break

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    Other Ergonomic Mice to Consider

    There are several more options on the market to consider. These didn’t cut it as our top picks for one reason or another, but we still like them enough to recommend.

    Razer Pro Click V2

    Photograph: Henri Robbins

    Razer Pro Click V2 for $120: The biggest draw of the Pro Click V2 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is the shape: It’s sleek, refined, and comfortable. Instead of the sharp edges and angles of the Razer Basilisk, the Pro Click V2 has the curves of a normal mouse and is just as comfortable in an office setting as it would be in a gaming setup. And that’s what makes the Click stand out—you can use it everywhere, for everything. The shape is comfortable for regular use, the design is innocuous yet still satisfying, and the mouse has most of the usual trappings of a productivity mouse: An ergonomic shape, dual-mode mouse wheel, multidevice Bluetooth connectivity, and a slot on the underside to store the dongle. At the same time, it has the specs of a gaming mouse: 1,000-Hz polling, 2.4-GHz connectivity, full programmability, rubberized grips on either side, and bright RGB lighting on the underside. The Pro Click v2 also has horizontal scrolling through the mouse wheel, where it can be tilted to either side to scroll left and right. This isn’t quite as quick or intuitive as the MX Master’s thumb wheel, but it’s still nice to have. While it doesn’t match the Basilisk in performance, the Pro Click V2 is more affordable and a professional option that still has the sturdy build quality and responsive sensors Razer is known for.

    Image may contain Computer Hardware Electronics Hardware and Mouse

    Keychron M6

    Photograph: Henri Robbins

    Keychron M6 for $70: If you like the design of the MX Master line, but would prefer a more gaming-oriented mouse, the Keychron M6 is a nice alternative. While the M6 doesn’t have Logitech’s advanced gesture controls or soft-touch exterior, it maintains the dual-mode scroll wheel, horizontal wheel, and general ergonomics while adding a 4,000-Hz refresh rate and shaving off almost half the weight of the 3S at only 78 grams. However, some small issues of build quality and a loss of functionality make this a less-than-ideal choice for most users—the dual-mode scroll wheel rattles during use, and the mouse feels lightweight to a fault. The higher-performance model’s wireless receiver requires a USB-C cable to connect to a device, which is a lot less convenient for laptop users compared to the low-profile dongle included with the 1,000-Hz model (and most other mice today).

    Image may contain Computer Hardware Electronics Hardware Mouse Computer Laptop and Pc

    Keychron M4

    Photograph: Henri Robbins

    Keychron M4 for $70: While you can realistically transport any of the mice on this list in a backpack or computer bag, I was impressed by just how compact the Keychron M4 is. I could easily slip it into a laptop bag or jacket pocket without any issue, and I even used it as a travel mouse for quite a while. While the shape isn’t great, or even good, ergonomically, I found the claw grip quite comfortable even during prolonged gaming sessions. However, it isn’t good enough that I would recommend it to anyone for daily use on a desktop setup unless they want the lightest mouse possible. The only real complaint I had with this mouse was the dongle: The 4,000-Hz model comes with a receiver shaped like a tiny keyboard with a USB-C port on the back, which meant I needed a cable to connect the receiver and a flat surface to place it on. Meanwhile, the 1,000-Hz model came with a simple USB dongle that could plug into the side of a laptop.

    Image may contain Computer Hardware Electronics Hardware and Mouse

    Logitech Pro X Superlight 2 Dex

    Courtesy of Logitech

    Logitech Pro X Superlight 2 Dex for $140: While this mouse is intended for high-intensity competitive gaming, I found its sculpted shape to be practical and comfortable for any long-term use, and its lightweight (60 grams!), no-frills design was quick and snappy for both spreadsheets and shooters. The mouse felt incredibly sturdy despite its weight, and the 8-kHz polling combined with a 44k-dpi sensor makes it the best-performing mouse on this list. While pricey, the Superlight DEX is a great single-mouse solution for someone who works from home and immediately starts queueing up after clocking out. It has a far more gaming-focused lean than the Razer Basilisk V3, which, while not bad, means you’re making a few more sacrifices to productivity in exchange for gaming performance.

    Image may contain Computer Hardware Electronics Hardware and Mouse

    Logitech MX Vertical

    Photograph: Henri Robbins

    Logitech MX Vertical for $120: While this mouse’s size and general shape both feel good for regular use, I found the shape to be a bit uncomfortable to fully grip and lift: A prominent ridge on the back dug into the space between my thumb and index finger, and the shape was just a bit too narrow to get a good hold on. However, the MX Vertical is still comfortable to hold with a looser grip, and it is perfectly serviceable for general office work and browsing, while putting less strain on the wrist than a standard horizontal mouse.

    Image may contain Computer Hardware Electronics Hardware and Mouse

    Logitech Lift

    Photograph: Henri Robbins

    Logitech Lift for $79: As one of the smaller vertical mice on this list, the Lift is just a bit too small. I found it difficult to comfortably grip this mouse for prolonged use, and friends with smaller hands found the same. That said, WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu says his 5’2″ wife uses the Life and finds it perfect for her small hands, so your mileage will vary. Regardless of hand size, a larger vertical mouse is typically more comfortable for most people. It’s worth noting that the Lift is one of the only vertical mice I’ve tested with a left-handed configuration.

    Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting and exclusive subscriber content that’s too important to ignore. Subscribe Today.

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  • De-Fi’s Platform Studio Desk Puts Aesthetics Before Ergonomics

    De-Fi’s Platform Studio Desk Puts Aesthetics Before Ergonomics

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    Nine years ago I decided to get back to making music after a very long hiatus. In the beginning, my setup was extremely humble, featuring an aging ThinkPad and a cheap MIDI controller. I didn’t even have an audio interface for properly recording my guitar.

    Since then, well, things have gotten a bit out of hand. My synth collection grew from a couple toys (a Casio VL-1 and a Stylophone) to well over a dozen instruments. I have more MIDI controllers than any human could ever need. I picked up decent studio monitors, an audio interface, and even some ADAT expansions so I could keep more of my ever growing gear collection permanently connected.

    One thing that didn’t change, however, was my desk. Up until just a couple of weeks ago, I was still making do with the same cheap Ikea Lagkapten/Alex combo ($220). It was a large desk, but it didn’t give me a lot of flexibility for laying out my setup. Now that I’ve had an opportunity to check out the updated version of De-Fi’s Platform Studio Production Desk, which has dedicated mounting points for rack gear, space for speakers, and a pull-out keyboard tray, I don’t know that I can ever go back. If you’re in the market for an affordable studio desk for your music-making and are trying to decide between cheaper options and a dedicated desk like this one, read on.

    Getting Settled

    For all of its aesthetic angles and recording studio glamour, the Platform Desk, which was originally made by a brand called Output that has now rebranded to De-Fi, still goes together like Ikea furniture. It’s a piece of flatpack that you need to assemble with the aid of a screwdriver and an Allen wrench. It’s definitely more substantial than your average Malm piece (what with it being made out of plywood instead of particle board), but the basic concept is the same.

    Photograph: Terrence O’Brien

    As hard as it is to believe, one area where Ikea does have a leg up on De-Fi is the quality of the instructions. There is a video walk-through of the assembly that is OK, but it could be more detailed. The “print” version, well, don’t bother printing it. For whatever reason, it’s formatted as a single-page PDF when it should clearly be five or six. When you try to print it out you end up with a narrow, illegible strip down the middle of a single piece of paper.

    The parts list also failed to mention that there was a power drill bit for the hex screws in one of the bags. I only discovered it halfway through assembly, after my hands were aching and I’d stripped a few screws with the Allen wrench.

    It’s also worth mentioning a couple of small quality-control issues I encountered during assembly. The shelf pin holes for the top level were missing on one side, and I had to drill them in myself. And some of the edges weren’t particularly neat. I even got a pretty nasty splinter from the lip of the desktop.

    Living in Tight Spaces

    There was one pretty obvious con once everything was fully assembled: the size of this desk. I live in NYC, so space is at a premium, and fitting the 60-inch-wide by 38-inch-deep desk was difficult. Folks with a lot of space won’t have the same issue, but it’s worth looking into the size before ordering. My home studio is also my office and my guest bedroom; it was a bit cramped to begin with. Previously there was enough room to walk between the unfolded pullout couch and my desk. Now even my chair won’t fit between the desk and the foot of the pullout. In order to make room for the desk, I had to ditch my monitor stands (the desk has elevated spaces for monitors to be placed).

    Another immediately obvious con is that the Platform Desk has no drawers. Granted, studio desks generally don’t, but it did mean I had to keep around the Alex drawer unit from my old desk for typical desk-y storage. The total floor space taken up by my revamped recording area had suddenly exploded.

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    Terrence O’Brien

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  • The Best USB Flash Drives for Ultra-Portable Storage

    The Best USB Flash Drives for Ultra-Portable Storage

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    There are a few things to keep in mind when you’re shopping for USB flash drives, and we also have some tips for using them.

    Capacity: To decide on the capacity you need, first check the size of the folders or files you want to copy. Each USB drive in our guide has a stated capacity, but the usable storage will be slightly less than that, because the device’s firmware requires space.

    Speed: USB standards are advancing all the time, and we recommend USB 3.0 as a minimum, though higher is better. While USB standards have different theoretical maximum speeds, it’s crucial to check the manufacturer’s stated read and write speeds for each drive. If you’re primarily transferring data, you’ll want to look for a drive with high write speeds. If you’re planning on launching software on a computer through the drive (like a video game), then you’ll want a model with high read speeds. Manufacturers will state average speeds, but most drives are much faster at transferring large files and tend to be far slower at transferring small files.

    Compatibility: Many flash drives will work with any device with the relevant port, but check compatibility to avoid disappointment. If you want to use a drive with an Android device or one of the latest iPhone 15 range, it will require USB on-the-go (OTG) support. Most Android devices do support USB OTG. You will get a notification when you insert a flash drive with options that should include File Transfer. You can try the USB OTG Checker app to confirm support if you’re unsure. Apple’s earlier iPhones and iPads don’t support USB OTG, but you can install a companion app for drives, like SanDisk’s iXpand series.

    Connectors: Most flash drives have USB-A connectors, but you can also get drives with USB-C, MicroUSB, and Lightning connectors. If you plan on using a flash drive with your smartphone and computer, snag one with both of the required types of connectors. You can also buy USB hubs with multiple ports or adapters, but pay close attention to the supported standard or it may limit your data transfer speeds. This Anker USB-A to USB-C adapter, for example, is USB 3.0.

    Security: Remember that USB drives can cause security issues, particularly for businesses, and you should never plug in random drives you find lying around. If you plan to keep sensitive data on your flash drive, then consider biometric or passcode protection, and look into the level of encryption it offers. There are software services that offer encryption and allow you to password-protect your files on any USB flash drive.

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    Simon Hill

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  • How to Clean Your Keyboard

    How to Clean Your Keyboard

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    Spending hours at your computer, whether for work or play, is unavoidable for most of us. Constant use is going to take a toll on your keyboard. Dust and hair buildup is inevitable, and fallen tortilla chips and sandwich crumbs can be avoided only by the kind of discipline many of us do not possess. We’re not here to judge; we’re here to help you clean up. In this guide, we’ll highlight the supplies you might need, and run through how to clean your keyboard step by step.

    These tips will work well on the picks from our guide to the Best Mechanical Keyboards. You may also want to check some of our other cleaning guides, like How to Clean Your Computer, How to Clean Your Smartphone, and last but not least, How to Clean Yourself.

    Updated June 2024: We added some photos, an electric air blower, and refreshed our tips (thanks to our readers’ suggestions).

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    Keyboard Cleaning Supplies

    Photograph: Simon Hill

    You can definitely clean your keyboard with stuff you already have in the house, so don’t feel like you have to buy special cleaning supplies. Here are some things you might consider and a few household alternatives you likely have lying around.

    • Brush: I have had a pop-up brush ($7) for a few years, and it’s perfect for sweeping debris out of your keyboard, but you can use any soft-bristled brush you have at home (a toothbrush or a 1.5-inch paintbrush can work).
    • Compressed air: A 10-ounce can of Dust-Off ($11) will last you for ages and can be very effective at blasting things loose from your keyboard.
    • Electric Air Blower: A good alternative to compressed air is a rechargeable electric air blower that you can use again and again. I have the KiCa Jetfan 2 ($99), which has a sliding control for upping the power and blasting everything out and a couple of attachments to concentrate the air. Battery life is surprisingly good and you can recharge via the USB-C port on the bottom. It’s pricey, but I love it. You can use it to blast dust out of anything, from keyboards and PCs to radiators and mesh chairs.
    • Cloth: You probably have microfiber cloths already, and any cloth will do, but I have found the fancy thin ones you use for glasses work best—pack of microfiber cloths ($10).
    • Cleaning slime: A tub of cleaning gel ($6) can be effective for removing dust from hard-to-reach places like a keyboard, but I don’t recommend it. Apart from general ickiness, it leaves a residue, gets dirty, and deteriorates quickly, leaving you with a slimy mess that can’t be eco-friendly.
    • Cotton swabs: You might have Q-Tips already, or you can snag cheap cotton swabs ($3) and use them to clean between keys. Wooden toothpicks work well for caked-on grime.
    • Isopropyl alcohol: Dampening your cloth or cotton swab with water will usually do the trick, but alcohol is a very effective cleaner. This Max Professional spray ($10) is easy to use.
    • Magic eraser: For scuff marks and stubborn dirt, magic erasers ($7) made of melamine can be amazingly effective. Sometimes regular pencil erasers can do the trick.
    • Keycap removal tool: If you’re really going to town and deep cleaning your mechanical keyboard, you may want a keycap removal tool ($6). (This one includes a switch puller and a pair of brushes.)

    You probably won’t need most of this stuff unless your keyboard is truly filthy, so try cleaning it with what you have before springing for extras.

    How to Clean Your Keyboard

    It’s time to get to work. Start by turning your computer off, disconnecting your keyboard, and removing cables. Clear your desk or table and assemble your cleaning tools.

    Shake, Brush, Blow, and Vac

    For relatively well-kept keyboards, the following four steps might be enough:

    1. Begin by turning your keyboard upside down and gently shaking it to see what falls out.
    2. Use your brush to gently sweep debris loose. It works best if you tilt your keyboard one way then another, and brush down the rows.
    3. If you have compressed air or an electric blower, use short blasts (but don’t get too close) to dislodge dirt that’s lodged in the depths. Tilt your keyboard at different angles and blow into the gaps.
    4. If you have a small brush tool for your vacuum or a handheld vac, use it to suck up the dirt you’ve uncovered and run it gently over the keyboard.

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    Simon Hill

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  • Everything You Need to Know About USB Ports and Speeds

    Everything You Need to Know About USB Ports and Speeds

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    The very name, Universal Serial Bus (or USB) is an ambitious promise: One port to rule them all. The reality is unfortunately messier than that. While your phone, tablet, and laptop might all use the same USB-C port for charging and transferring data these days, they can all work differently.

    What’s USB4? What’s Thunderbolt? Is it the same as USB-C? I’m here to help answer all of those questions, so you can get the best performance out of your devices.

    Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.

    If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more.

    Glossary of USB Terms

    First, it’s important to define a few terms upfront.

    USB 2.X/USB 3.X/USB4

    Every USB device is built to some version of the USB specification, managed by the USB Implementer’s Forum (USB-IF). These versions are mainly characterized by how much data they can transfer and how much power they can deliver (at least, those are the main things you need to care about). While most of these devices are interoperable as long as they use the same type of port, the entire chain will conform to the slowest part of the chain. Say you plug a USB 3.2 solid-state drive into a USB 3.2 port on your computer, but use a USB 3.0 cable—data will only transfer at USB 3.0 speeds. Make sure every link in your chain is rated for the speed you need.

    USB Power Delivery (or USB-PD)

    Instead of carrying a charger for every single device you own, you might opt for a charging adapter that can juice up multiple devices via several USB-C Power Delivery (USB-C PD) ports. Power Delivery is a fast-charging method that supports up to 240 watts of power and allows gadgets to safely talk to chargers to sort out the correct power needs. You’ll find these kinds of ports on USB hubs as well, sometimes referred to as “pass-through charging,” though it’s not an official term.

    Make sure the wattage of a USB-C port on a charging adapter or hub can handle what your device needs. A MacBook Pro typically needs 96 watts during intense workloads (though you can still charge them at lower wattage), so you’d probably need a 100-watt USB-C port on the charging adapter or USB hub for the best charging experience.

    USB-C and USB-A

    These terms refer to the physical shape of the connectors and ports on devices. USB-C is common and looks like a small, elongated oval. It’s also reversible, so you can’t plug it in the wrong way. USB-A is the older, rectangular port you’ve seen for years. There are a lot more types of USB connectors, but these are the two you’re most likely to see in charging adapters, hubs, and docking stations today.

    SuperSpeed

    You might also see some USB devices marketed with terms like “SuperSpeed,” “SuperSpeedPlus,” and “SuperSpeed USB 5/10/20 Gbps.” These terms were initially meant to be more helpful, marketable labels to denote what generation or speed a USB port was, but unfortunately, it only made things more confusing. In most cases, you can ignore these labels and look at the actual speed ratings.

    What Is Going on With USB Generations?

    It would be nice if you could plug a USB 3.2 device into a USB 3.2 port using a USB 3.2 cable and trust that it all works. Unfortunately, it’s way more complicated than that.

    When USB 3.0 came out in 2008 it had a max speed of around 5 gigabits per second (Gbps). However, when USB 3.1 came out in 2013 with a max speed of 10 Gbps, the 5-Gbps version was renamed to USB 3.1 Gen 1, while the new, faster spec was USB 3.1 Gen 2. Confused yet? Well, it gets worse.

    After USB 3.2 came out in 2019, the 5-Gbps USB was rebranded again to “USB 3.2 Gen 1,” the 10-Gbps version became “USB 3.2 Gen 2,” and the new 20-Gbps specification became—you guessed it—USB 3.2 Gen 2×2. Wait, what? The “2×2” refers to running two 10 Gbps lanes of data simultaneously. You don’t need to know all of this. Many USB hub and docking station manufacturers have given up on names, labels, and symbols. They’ve started printing the maximum speed next to ports directly.

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    Eric Ravenscraft

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  • Get Clicky With Our Favorite Custom Mechanical Keyboards

    Get Clicky With Our Favorite Custom Mechanical Keyboards

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    Your keyboard is the most direct line of communication between yourself and your computer —whether gaming, working from home, or doing anything else in front of a screen. Why not invest in one that’s reliable, fun, and enjoyable? I love mechanical keyboards—I even open up boards and tinker with them. Over the past few years, I have tested dozens, ranging from the fastest gaming keyboards to those offering elevated typing experiences. These are the best mechanical keyboards of the hundreds you can find online.

    With keyboard advances over the past few years, you can’t go wrong with anything in this guide—everything I recommend is well-built, sturdy, and feels great to type on. That said, what I like might not be what you like—more than anything else, the “best” keyboard comes down to what features you want and what kind of feel you prefer when typing.

    We have more PC peripheral guides, including Best Keyboards (which include styles like chiclet keyboards), Best Gaming Mice, Best Computer Speakers, and Best Computer Monitors.

    Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.

    First, Read Our Mechanical Keyboard Explainer

    Things can get pretty in-the-weeds when shopping for a mechanical keyboard. You’ll probably come across terms like switches, PBT keycaps, hot-swappable, 75% keyboards, TKL, and so on. If you’re curious about what these mean, I recommend you read my comprehensive How to Choose and Customize a Mechanical Keyboard guide.

    You do not need to understand all of these words if you want a fun, good, mechanical keyboard that just works—almost all of my recommendations below are fully assembled keyboards. They’re all hot-swappable, so you don’t have to feel locked to a particular type of switch. Spend some time with your new board, and if you want to make a tweak or try a new set of switches, well, that’s the beauty of mechanical keyboards—you can customize them whenever you’d like.

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    Henri Robbins

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  • How to Add a Walking Pad To Your Office for Under $500 – Corporette.com

    How to Add a Walking Pad To Your Office for Under $500 – Corporette.com

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    This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    DeerRun 3 in 1 Folding Treadmill @ Amazon

    I recently added a walking pad / minimal treadmill to a workspace in Casa Griffin, so I thought I’d do a little post on it. Readers, do you have a desk treadmill or walking pad in your office? What are your thoughts on the products you’ve bought — and what would you recommend to others considering it?

    How to Set Up a Walking Pad In Your Office

    What to Look For in a Desk Treadmill or Walking Pad For Your Office

    I looked through a lot of reviews and articles on which walking pad to get for your office, and… they all kind of look the same and cost the same. I zeroed in on a few specific products that I’d seen recommended here or in Facebook groups — specifically the DeerRun 3 in 1 (the one I ultimately got, currently under $300), the UREVO Under Desk Treadmill, and the Sperax walking pad — and figured I’d compare those models before expanding or concluding my search.

    We intended to use the walking pad with a standing desk, so we weren’t too concerned with handrails or the like. I’ve always hated running on treadmills so I wasn’t interested in running on the walking pad at all — just a leisurely walk for me, thanks! — so the top speed didn’t matter.

    The two things that mattered the most to me were 1) the width of the treadmill, because I was worried about missteps, and 2) how loud the walking pad was.

    (You may also want to pay attention to the weight limits on the treadmill, or the total weight of the treadmill — there was a big variation in both of those numbers. If I wanted the option to fold it up or move it around, a 70 lb. walking pad might not be as ideal as the 42 lb. option.)

    The Width of the Belt on the Treadmill or Walking Pad

    Of the options we looked at, most were around 15.5-17″ wide. This isn’t very wide! The belt on the one we got is 43 “x 16”, and it’s fine… but if I were to buy it again I’d probably look harder for a wider belt.

    Note that this information isn’t immediately clear from the dimensions that are the easiest to find. For example, the three models I was looking at had a range of depth from 18.4″-26.4″ — but that’s the width of the entire product, not just the belt.

    (By contrast, a typical running treadmill belt goes up to 22″ wide.)

    How to Know How Loud Your Walking Pad Will Be

    Most product descriptions discussed horsepower, but only one discussed decibels. This was something I hadn’t considered before, but NO, I did not want to have a crazy loud treadmill. It would be fine if it were, but I was hoping to watch videos or take the occasional Zoom call, so having a loud whirring sound would not be ideal.

    This information was also missing from a lot of products — the one we got noted that it was 60 decibels. It’s definitely loud enough that I wouldn’t want to use it while someone else was in the room working. I could take a call with it, but having a headset or AirPods in would be vastly preferable to using the speaker, though that’s probably true whether you’re on a walking pad or not.

    (The one we got also had a higher horsepower than a lot of the others we looked at — 3 HP vs. 2.25 HP — which I think also usually has something to do with how loudly it’s working.)

    What Standing Desk to Get For Your Walking Pad

    Claiks Electric Standing Desk for walking pad
    Claiks Electric Standing Desk @ Amazon

    You may already have a standing desk for your walking pad, in which case you’re set! We did not have one, and tossed around various makeshift ideas before deciding, eh, let’s just buy something off Amazon. (Various makeshift ideas we had: Card table stacked with books! Somehow using a nearby shelf! Finding a used standing desk on Facebook Marketplace!

    Our standing desk was less than $125, which was cheap enough that we could disregard the options as being more of a hassle than a cost-saving measure.

    There are desks of different widths, obviously. When we looked, we were thinking that we didn’t necessarily need a huge workspace, but we wanted to keep an old laptop on the desk… I had hoped for a space for a notepad or the like.

    We wound up getting a desk that was 48″, which accommodates all of that (and more). The desk came in four width options, 40″ to 63″, and in four finishes, but we just got the cheapest option (Rustic Brown, 48″) because it was going into an out of the way spot.

    In general, the desk is better than I had hoped — the mechanism to rise/lower it is smooth and easy, and once you get it to a height you like, you can unplug the desk, freeing up a spot on your outlet strip.

    What Else to Get With Your Walking Pad and Desk

    We’ve added an extra monitor, keyboard, and mouse to the space, all to connect to an old laptop that had lousy battery power. We also keep a notepad and pen nearby. I’ve seen a lot lately about how women ought to be walking with weighted vests, so I might get one of those to keep nearby. (The desk has a few handy hooks on the side, as you can see from the photo.) We also keep a phone charger and Fitbit charger nearby.

    Something else to consider is whether you want a rubber pad to go underneath your walking pad — great if you’re in a rickety upstairs apartment! We didn’t bother with this step, and it’s fine.

    How to Track Steps on a Walking Pad Desk

    This is a key tip if you want to track steps: You cannot wear your Fitbit or Apple Watch on your wrist and have it track steps — it only does that if you’re swinging your arms. I find it tracks my steps fine if it’s in my pants pocket. Another option: tucking it into a sock, or using an ankle strap like this one from B-Great.

    How We Like Our Walking Pad

    I really like it — it’s convenient, and an easy way to get more steps in. Am I using it as much as I’d hoped? Of course not, because I’m horrible at working out (plus, the old laptop is a bit slow, so that’s annoying if I’m actually trying to work while walking). My older son likes it also (and my husband hasn’t tried it yet). But for the prices we paid for everything I think it’s a great way to get a few more steps in.

    Readers, do you have a walking pad set up in your home office or work office? What are your thoughts on the products you’ve bought, best practices for using it, etc.?

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    Kat

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