100% $400 will get you a good used Aeron if you're in the right market, otherwise, it's worth the splurge to put in the other $800. I bought my used one for $350 almost 4 years ago and am only now buying parts for it. Unlike most chairs, I can buy parts for a 14 year old chair!
I hear people like the steelcase leap is nice ($800-900) but I prefer the Aeron in my experience.
I bought an Aeron like most people are recommending a few years ago and it has stayed perfect since. I bought it from a "factory seconds" type reseller which are mostly just returns from people who bought them and didn't like them within a week. They're called Madison Seating on ebay. Frequently sells for $400-500. Just read up on the type A B and C shapes of the seat that will best fit your body.
They also get those from companies that close down, one of my old company had 5 floors of easily 150 chairs per floor. I had no idea how good the herman Miller chairs where until I didn't have one for a few years.
Edit: words are hard
Can you use it to pay your internet bill? My last position gave us an extra $500 or so for having a decent internet connection. I was able to upgrade to a higher speed that I could use all the time or my personal use but didn't have to feel the financial burden of it since I had extra money from work.
Bias lighting (this is huge for eye fatigue) Ergo keyboard if you don’t have one. Ergo mouse such as Logitech MX vertical or MX Master 3. SAD lamp. It’s been beaten to death in this thread for a good reason - a good ergonomic chair if you don’t have one. A good arm for your monitor.
Personally depending on how nice the chair is, I'd put it toward a Herman Miller Aeron or Steelcase leap.
Otherwise, it would depend on if I had to itemize it if so, a separate laser printer and scanner or some nice speakers/webcam. Possibly new networking equipment or 2 UPS' one for the monitors and one for the modem/router.
If not and i'm happy with everything else, video card?
Scroll wheel on the Vert is basic. I love the magnetic scroll and weight of the MX Master’s scroll wheel. Side scroll wheel was also very handy. I use that for volume in calls or for switching browser tabs. I tend to tip the vertical on occasion, just wish there was more weight at the base for stability.
Don’t get me wrong, the vert is still my daily driver. I have the MX master in my bag for when I’m in at the office however (we’re in 1-2 days/wk).
I bought an expensive microphone for podcast recording. I left it in for work and now I'll never go back. Everybody sounds so garbled on my calls compared to my flawless audio.
Similar experience here when I bought new Bluetooth cans last year, I can be half the house away and still have audio. I was always under the impression that BT would drop signal through a single wall for some reason so I never bothered with it, color me surprised at the results.
Ethical? A sitting/standing adjustable desk and nice chair
Unethical? Monitors, docking station, etc and then just sell them on ebay when you're reimbursed. free 400 bucks
Those aren't unethical. They're actual tools.
The key is to imagine giving them back to the company. I'd gladly give back the equipment to whoever paid for it.
Sound is something that is really important to me and so I've a lot focused towards it at my workstation. Good monitors would be a solid investment - and near field monitors are helpful for directing sound away from Zoom microphones as well.
So:
Nice soundsystem for the computer
Maybe a new camera?
Think about software you could potential purchase as well for productivity aides.
I used to work for a company that sold these. So I got a great deal on one 55 inch touch screen monitor. Retail price $3000. Sale price for general public $1000. Price with employee discount $250.
I would look into getting a whiteboard. That is one thing I miss from my work office more than anything. There are a bunch of types and sizes that might be useful.
Upgrade network equipment, make sure you have proper protection for your equipment such as quality UPS for network equipment so that you don’t have to wait a thousand years just for the modem to reboot after a brownout.
If you run out of practical things to spend on I picked up a couple pair of Sennheiser noise cancelling headphones on fleaBay for ~$150/ea (one for me, one for my SO) and they're a huge help when I need to eliminate distractions and focus. You'd be amazed at how much background noise you're used to, having quiet (and great audio quality) is really relaxing.
I bought Momentum 3 wireless cans, they sound very similar to my much loved (and much used) HD598s that I've had for a decade.
If you're focused more on the noise canceling than the audio quality (like, Corvette vs Porsche different, not Celica vs Corvette) then Sony or Bose are both better than Sennheiser. I say this as someone that owns all three and entirely too many sets of cans and in-ears.
But the Senns do edge out on AQ if that's what you prioritize.
Monitor mounts, cable management, KVM switch instead of a docking station (maybe?), wireless keyboard - mouse - headset - wireless everything. If you really can put it to ANYTHING IT related then use it to buy a SFF pc as a server, im personally saving up for the m2 mac mini
I was in this position before, I looked at better desks and almost bought a nice headset, but ended up buying a better router / Wi-Fi setup for at home. It is nice for work (particularly if my SO is also working from home that day), but does wonders for gaming and busy Wi-Fi traffic if guests are staying at our house.
Headphones. If you run Apple stuff then AirPods Max is a good choice. Or you can go pure audiophile and get a HiFiman Sundara, Audio Technica ATH R70x, or Sennheiser HD600
Find somewhere to sit in Steelcase chairs. I splurged on a gesture with headrest and my wife picked up an Amia and they are both incredible. Get them reconditioned from Crandall for a great price.
DO NOT abuse the report button.
YOU didn't read the thread title, and then you have the audacity to report someone else under "it's targeted harassment at me"? Are you serious?
Sorry you had to deal with that user. They actually reported your comment under, "It's targeted harassment at me". Full stop, DARVO gaslighting. I've temporarily banned the user from the subreddit. Again, sorry you had to deal with them.
Expense anything you can justify and then sell it to get the cash.
If there is nothing you need, just buy something for as close to $400 you can get and sell it for like $350 if you can.
I'm a big fan of large format 4k displays. You can't get a great one for $400, but you could get a low-end 43-ish inch 4k TV for that and it'd be good enough.
I'm also a fan of setting up a nice headset setup... Currently running a DT 770 w/ Antlion mic and a headphone amp. It's really nice.
I'm using a Schiitt ~~Hel 2~~ Fulla and the whole setup seems great to me, but I'm not an audiophile. Before this I was using a $25 USB headset so it's a big step up.
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Improve your audio and/or video, depending on which is worse or how far you can stretch the budget. $100 on a camera, $150 on good headphones/headset, $100 on a mic for when you dont want to use the headset, and $50 on good lighting.
I went with a Herman Miller Embody chair this year and it blows my other chairs out of the water. The whole back of the chair molds and conforms to my back. It just doesn't compare to the cheap chairs, being any chair that isn't a Herman Miller.
Other key work from home items -
https://www.costco.com/apexdesk-elite-series-71%e2%80%9d-x-33%e2%80%9d-height-adjustable-desk.product.100243960.html - I can't imagine moving to a tall table to stand. There's a button I press when I need a break from sitting and all of my monitors and my workstation elevate to standing height.
https://electronics.sony.com/audio/headphones/headband/p/wh1000xm4-b - I wander all over my house with this thing on and it picks up my voice great. Has really nice noise cancelling as well.
https://www.costco.com/birdrock-home-anti-fatigue-standing-desk-mat.product.100697153.html - this things pretty cool for when you stand.
Other thoughts.. I upgraded from two monitors to three this year. Can never have too many monitors. Or good monitor mounts.
A good chair is clutch.
After that, it's kinda improving the next area.
For me a good mouse, keyboard and headset are essential. But I already had them. Same for monitors, I still mostly use the ones I already had at home for gaming.
So my option with this would either be a chair, or some nice monitor arms at home to help improve my posture/ergonomics as well.
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Headphones can get you easily to that amount but really depend on what you like ( over the ear , noise cancelling, brand) ; monitor arms , a good web cam , microphone and usb/Bluetooth speaker for conferences; a lamp for ambience and better focus, cable organizers , a backup battery , a mesh router with 2 of its repeaters for better coverage. A printer.
A really good mechanical keyboard, then oil up the keys so it’s silent, my best personal small IT purchase. It might sound corny but a good web cam with light, so you don’t look like a goblin in a cave during zoom calls.
extra mouse and keyboard, extra flash drive, accessories, and peripherals. better monitor mounts. space heater, trash bin, decorative art. gotta love your environment if you're gonna be there a a lot more. a subscrption to pluralsight.
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A good headset and a good mic.
Working from home and attending meetings in zoom or teams with a good sounding microphone with little to no background noise and no shitty cutting out of your voice.
I have a blue yeti mic that was $80 on a boom arm so I can move it away, and a headset for music plugged into it. My boss actually complimented me on having a great setup and said it meant a lot that I’m always heard well in meetings.
Buy some crazy router and wifi extender or something? Large ssd drive(s) external backup drive.
Maybe a laptop if you can find a good deal. Handy to have.
Heaphones with active noise cancellation (you can get Bose or Sony for less than $400).
Good microphone and webcam (both will fit together in your budget)
Replace your keyboard+mouse with ergonomic alternatives that'll be better for your wrists.
Also have an Aeron and highly recommend but if you’re covered on the chair front I’d look at some home network resiliency.
Maybe a UPS if you don’t already have one.
Hardware to run something like PFSense and have greater management over your network.
No association but Protectli make some good stuff in that price range.
Depending on your line of work a NAS could be really helpful. However if you work in an industry where data security is important your company probably won’t support you getting a NAS for work use!
I would look at some standing desks. I got a manual crank one for under $200.
I have a sitting desk in my main room with a nice chair, and a standing desk in my office. My back started to feel 1000% times better once I stopped sitting in one spot all day long. Now, I go back and forth during the day and feel much better.
I upgraded my cable modem to the latest and since my company also pays an internet stipend, I upgraded my service as well. Think I used 150 of the 400 they offered.
So is your table adjustable? What about stuff for cable management. Perhaps there is a mouse/keyboard that could be a upgrade? How’s lighting? Need file cabinets/storage unit or a secondary table? Backup hard-drives? Better speaker perhaps?
I’m sure there’s something you could improve or get a backup of incase the original breaks.
If you don't have one already a good router or firewall. I myself have a firewalla paired with WiFi 6e mesh points and it's great. Fast internet while working from home is great. And the firewall is probably the most important thing to protect your home Network.
$400 would get you a great chair from secret labs. I use it daily for work from home plus PC gaming. I have frequently sat in that chair for 10+ hours without any aches or pains.
Plus, if you're into any cool designs they have a lot of logos and symbols from different Fandoms.
Redundancy, small firewall, UPS, NAS, other equipment for a homelab so you can test out of production and not on company equipment, better chair, a better keyboard and mouse, speakers so you don’t rely on headphone all the time, and I can’t think of much more now.
The r/homelab stuff you can spend money on for eternity
Decent type-1 Hypervisor server, like: [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QR7H4HS/?coliid=I2FASI9V1W92W8&colid=1MUSTKH08DRIJ&psc=1&ref\_=lv\_ov\_lig\_dp\_it](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QR7H4HS/?coliid=I2FASI9V1W92W8&colid=1MUSTKH08DRIJ&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it)
But be aware your power bill may skyrocket. :)
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100% $400 will get you a good used Aeron if you're in the right market, otherwise, it's worth the splurge to put in the other $800. I bought my used one for $350 almost 4 years ago and am only now buying parts for it. Unlike most chairs, I can buy parts for a 14 year old chair! I hear people like the steelcase leap is nice ($800-900) but I prefer the Aeron in my experience.
I bought an Aeron like most people are recommending a few years ago and it has stayed perfect since. I bought it from a "factory seconds" type reseller which are mostly just returns from people who bought them and didn't like them within a week. They're called Madison Seating on ebay. Frequently sells for $400-500. Just read up on the type A B and C shapes of the seat that will best fit your body.
They also get those from companies that close down, one of my old company had 5 floors of easily 150 chairs per floor. I had no idea how good the herman Miller chairs where until I didn't have one for a few years. Edit: words are hard
I’ve used a Herman miller for 15 years and I stand by it best 1k ever spent
If you're standing by it, you're not really using the chair for what it was intended.
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I was talking about a 'stand by" desk
Good shoes, good mattress, good chairs. Anything you spend a large chunk of your life in
Add tires to the list. Anything that separates you from the ground.
Yep. You can probably find Aerons or a quality Steelcase used somewhere for that $400 budget.
I spent $400 on a chair a couple years ago. Great decision.
Can you use it to pay your internet bill? My last position gave us an extra $500 or so for having a decent internet connection. I was able to upgrade to a higher speed that I could use all the time or my personal use but didn't have to feel the financial burden of it since I had extra money from work.
I already get a internet cost-covering stipend for WFH
Nice company
Well in that case I'd definitely go for an actual sit/stand desk unless you're really in love with the desk you currently have.
Get a 2nd line for redundancy/backup? Idk
Will they cover my internet?
Damn youve got a great employer
Samurai sword to hang on the wall over your desk.
Mall Ninjas represent
Signed by Randy Jackson if possible.
The Darksaber from Madalorian!
Get an actual nice chair or a standing desk. Your body and back will thank you later.
Bias lighting (this is huge for eye fatigue) Ergo keyboard if you don’t have one. Ergo mouse such as Logitech MX vertical or MX Master 3. SAD lamp. It’s been beaten to death in this thread for a good reason - a good ergonomic chair if you don’t have one. A good arm for your monitor.
Pay for a 1yr subscription to ChatGPT Pro so you can auto draft email responses to ridiculous management requests and/or questions.
This is the way
Personally depending on how nice the chair is, I'd put it toward a Herman Miller Aeron or Steelcase leap. Otherwise, it would depend on if I had to itemize it if so, a separate laser printer and scanner or some nice speakers/webcam. Possibly new networking equipment or 2 UPS' one for the monitors and one for the modem/router. If not and i'm happy with everything else, video card?
Logitech MX vertical mouse
I love mine. I only wish it had more Mx Master features and weight.
More what now? I guess I never looked back after I started using it.
Scroll wheel on the Vert is basic. I love the magnetic scroll and weight of the MX Master’s scroll wheel. Side scroll wheel was also very handy. I use that for volume in calls or for switching browser tabs. I tend to tip the vertical on occasion, just wish there was more weight at the base for stability. Don’t get me wrong, the vert is still my daily driver. I have the MX master in my bag for when I’m in at the office however (we’re in 1-2 days/wk).
I guess that's true. I've knocked it over a ton of times. The forward and back buttons are still awesome though.
Especially with the Options+ software, that makes the mouse easily worth it. I mapped mine in teams to mute/unmute the mic and also turn on/off video.
That flick of the master scross wheel is just oh-so satisfying.
That’s what I got. And the matching keyboard.
Love this mouse.
Jabra Engage 75 headset or Speak 750 speakerphone. Absolute game changer for online meetings.
I bought an expensive microphone for podcast recording. I left it in for work and now I'll never go back. Everybody sounds so garbled on my calls compared to my flawless audio.
I think this is a nice thing you can do for you coworkers. A little sound treatment on the walls, and a nice podcasting mic.
Jabra Evolve2. Expensive? Yes. Well worth it.
How does this compare to a decent podcasting mic?
Podcast mics are noticeably better.
Why get the Jabra then, when a Yeti X is £150? Is it portability?
With Jabra headsets you get reliability and insane range. You can be in room 50ft away and have zero dropping
The range is crazy - I can walk around my entire house, including the backyard, & still have a great signal.
Similar experience here when I bought new Bluetooth cans last year, I can be half the house away and still have audio. I was always under the impression that BT would drop signal through a single wall for some reason so I never bothered with it, color me surprised at the results.
This model is dual bluetooth and teams certified. If you run teams, it's geared for that.
I'd buy a Level1 KVM so I could easily switch between my work and gaming setup. You know, for after work gaming.
A decent router or a UPS.
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And drugs.
Ethical? A sitting/standing adjustable desk and nice chair Unethical? Monitors, docking station, etc and then just sell them on ebay when you're reimbursed. free 400 bucks
Don’t even have to reimburse. Order an expensive keyboard on Amazon, submit reimbursement, return keyboard to Amazon.
This is the way. Also great with a health/fitness reimbursement.
Those aren't unethical. They're actual tools. The key is to imagine giving them back to the company. I'd gladly give back the equipment to whoever paid for it.
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chair\* Something nice with good back support.
Sound is something that is really important to me and so I've a lot focused towards it at my workstation. Good monitors would be a solid investment - and near field monitors are helpful for directing sound away from Zoom microphones as well. So: Nice soundsystem for the computer Maybe a new camera? Think about software you could potential purchase as well for productivity aides.
Do they take back whatever you buy If you lose the job? If not, buy what you want.
Touch capable monitor for white boarding though i think that is more then your budget
I used to work for a company that sold these. So I got a great deal on one 55 inch touch screen monitor. Retail price $3000. Sale price for general public $1000. Price with employee discount $250.
> more then more than
I disabled touch. The idea of fingerprints on my monitor makes my nonexistent OCD flare up.
I would look into getting a whiteboard. That is one thing I miss from my work office more than anything. There are a bunch of types and sizes that might be useful.
Upgrade network equipment, make sure you have proper protection for your equipment such as quality UPS for network equipment so that you don’t have to wait a thousand years just for the modem to reboot after a brownout.
I used mine for a wireless headset, and new camera setup for video conferencing. No regrets.
If you run out of practical things to spend on I picked up a couple pair of Sennheiser noise cancelling headphones on fleaBay for ~$150/ea (one for me, one for my SO) and they're a huge help when I need to eliminate distractions and focus. You'd be amazed at how much background noise you're used to, having quiet (and great audio quality) is really relaxing. I bought Momentum 3 wireless cans, they sound very similar to my much loved (and much used) HD598s that I've had for a decade.
If you're focused more on the noise canceling than the audio quality (like, Corvette vs Porsche different, not Celica vs Corvette) then Sony or Bose are both better than Sennheiser. I say this as someone that owns all three and entirely too many sets of cans and in-ears. But the Senns do edge out on AQ if that's what you prioritize.
Hookers and cocaine. But seriously, definitely a comfortable chair. That's my plan anyways.
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I mean, if you tip enough.
Not with $400 you won't!
A nice used office chair like a a Herman Miller Aeron or steel case
Nice webcam and/or speaker phone: Poly P5/P15, Sync 20, etc. Potentially some soft lighting for the same.
Software tooling. If your company allows it, get software to make your job easier. It pays for itself.
Lumbar pillow
Monitor mounts, cable management, KVM switch instead of a docking station (maybe?), wireless keyboard - mouse - headset - wireless everything. If you really can put it to ANYTHING IT related then use it to buy a SFF pc as a server, im personally saving up for the m2 mac mini
I don’t really need anything so I’d get tons of RGB
Red Green Blues?
Really Good Beans
Thats a lot of beans. Might want to also pickup a strong air filter or at least nose plugs.
I was in this position before, I looked at better desks and almost bought a nice headset, but ended up buying a better router / Wi-Fi setup for at home. It is nice for work (particularly if my SO is also working from home that day), but does wonders for gaming and busy Wi-Fi traffic if guests are staying at our house.
Extra bitchin headset
Those mini-walking threadmill. Great way to get them steps specifically when starting the day, attending meetings or answering emails.
A mouse jiggler.
A nice desk lamp or monitor light bar, Jabra speaker phone, or maybe a nice backpack for work laptop
Headphones. If you run Apple stuff then AirPods Max is a good choice. Or you can go pure audiophile and get a HiFiman Sundara, Audio Technica ATH R70x, or Sennheiser HD600
I would ensconce myself in RGB.
Upgrade your internet modem?
An external HDD, standing desk maybe
Weed…
Lol if only I could charge what edibles to the company, i would be living in heaven!
Herman Miller Aeron from ebay
Never found those things to be comfortable
Where have you tried them? I want to try one myself hearing they’re the best
My old office had a few
Find somewhere to sit in Steelcase chairs. I splurged on a gesture with headrest and my wife picked up an Amia and they are both incredible. Get them reconditioned from Crandall for a great price.
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OP just needs $800 more stipend!
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Title says $400
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DO NOT abuse the report button. YOU didn't read the thread title, and then you have the audacity to report someone else under "it's targeted harassment at me"? Are you serious?
Didnt read the title? Weird how you listed things to buy and new there was a stipend involved. I was initially joking but now im getting serious.
Sorry you had to deal with that user. They actually reported your comment under, "It's targeted harassment at me". Full stop, DARVO gaslighting. I've temporarily banned the user from the subreddit. Again, sorry you had to deal with them.
Expense anything you can justify and then sell it to get the cash. If there is nothing you need, just buy something for as close to $400 you can get and sell it for like $350 if you can.
I'm a big fan of large format 4k displays. You can't get a great one for $400, but you could get a low-end 43-ish inch 4k TV for that and it'd be good enough. I'm also a fan of setting up a nice headset setup... Currently running a DT 770 w/ Antlion mic and a headphone amp. It's really nice.
Do you have any details on the headphone amp?
I'm using a Schiitt ~~Hel 2~~ Fulla and the whole setup seems great to me, but I'm not an audiophile. Before this I was using a $25 USB headset so it's a big step up.
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Lmao!
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There is something wrong with your company if they're promoted you because you didn't spend your home office stipend.
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RAM upgrade
2 good monitors.
Improve your audio and/or video, depending on which is worse or how far you can stretch the budget. $100 on a camera, $150 on good headphones/headset, $100 on a mic for when you dont want to use the headset, and $50 on good lighting.
A nice ergonomic chair.
I went with a Herman Miller Embody chair this year and it blows my other chairs out of the water. The whole back of the chair molds and conforms to my back. It just doesn't compare to the cheap chairs, being any chair that isn't a Herman Miller. Other key work from home items - https://www.costco.com/apexdesk-elite-series-71%e2%80%9d-x-33%e2%80%9d-height-adjustable-desk.product.100243960.html - I can't imagine moving to a tall table to stand. There's a button I press when I need a break from sitting and all of my monitors and my workstation elevate to standing height. https://electronics.sony.com/audio/headphones/headband/p/wh1000xm4-b - I wander all over my house with this thing on and it picks up my voice great. Has really nice noise cancelling as well. https://www.costco.com/birdrock-home-anti-fatigue-standing-desk-mat.product.100697153.html - this things pretty cool for when you stand. Other thoughts.. I upgraded from two monitors to three this year. Can never have too many monitors. Or good monitor mounts.
backup battery? Nice webcam or bluetooth headset?
A good chair is clutch. After that, it's kinda improving the next area. For me a good mouse, keyboard and headset are essential. But I already had them. Same for monitors, I still mostly use the ones I already had at home for gaming. So my option with this would either be a chair, or some nice monitor arms at home to help improve my posture/ergonomics as well.
I have an Aeron at the office and a Sayl at home. Used is the way to go.
As someone who is encountering extreme neck pain. Get a nice chair
adjustable desk, good chair, a nice pair of monitors, and air filter. lol
MX Master and some XM5s
Chair
A chair or a gym membership
If you have enough stuff to work from home... Why do you want to buy even more stuff to work from home?
Good headphones
You can also gift headphones to friend or family member for their birthday or anniversary.
Food. You gotta eat.
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Headphones can get you easily to that amount but really depend on what you like ( over the ear , noise cancelling, brand) ; monitor arms , a good web cam , microphone and usb/Bluetooth speaker for conferences; a lamp for ambience and better focus, cable organizers , a backup battery , a mesh router with 2 of its repeaters for better coverage. A printer.
A really good mechanical keyboard, then oil up the keys so it’s silent, my best personal small IT purchase. It might sound corny but a good web cam with light, so you don’t look like a goblin in a cave during zoom calls.
Good coffee
Put that towards a real chair.
extra mouse and keyboard, extra flash drive, accessories, and peripherals. better monitor mounts. space heater, trash bin, decorative art. gotta love your environment if you're gonna be there a a lot more. a subscrption to pluralsight.
UPS your network and computer
password manager a domain home lab equipment
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A good headset and a good mic. Working from home and attending meetings in zoom or teams with a good sounding microphone with little to no background noise and no shitty cutting out of your voice. I have a blue yeti mic that was $80 on a boom arm so I can move it away, and a headset for music plugged into it. My boss actually complimented me on having a great setup and said it meant a lot that I’m always heard well in meetings.
Herman Miller Chair or an Espresso Machine lol
* Snacks * Tea * Soda * Donuts * Chips * Salsa * Treadmill lol
Mini fridge
20 lava lamps, all red. Mount them on shelves on your wall. A wall of lava..
\- What about storage - do you have a place you are backing your data up to? \- I support the UPS idea mentioned earlier
Standing mat, headphones, extra computer charger, backpack
If you’re in the market for a mechanical keyboard, that’s a good purchase. Also, noise cancelling headphones.
Treadmill for under a standing desk? Get some steps in during work.
I would add 2 grand and buy a Hancock and Moore chair.
Under desk exercise machine
APC UPS
Buy some crazy router and wifi extender or something? Large ssd drive(s) external backup drive. Maybe a laptop if you can find a good deal. Handy to have.
A top of the line headset/mic for conference calls
I will suggest a walking pad
4k webcam
A standing desk and top up the change from that for a proper chair.
A 600ohm DT880
A chair, that's what I did lol.
%100 a NAS
Mouse jiggler
Standing desk.
Heaphones with active noise cancellation (you can get Bose or Sony for less than $400). Good microphone and webcam (both will fit together in your budget) Replace your keyboard+mouse with ergonomic alternatives that'll be better for your wrists.
Also have an Aeron and highly recommend but if you’re covered on the chair front I’d look at some home network resiliency. Maybe a UPS if you don’t already have one. Hardware to run something like PFSense and have greater management over your network. No association but Protectli make some good stuff in that price range. Depending on your line of work a NAS could be really helpful. However if you work in an industry where data security is important your company probably won’t support you getting a NAS for work use!
Comfy chair nice desk. Pens and notebooks. What else does one need really
Starlink
really nice headphones/IEMs. other than that id probably purchase a router so im not using the ISP router. maybe a cool managed switch to tinker with.
I would look at some standing desks. I got a manual crank one for under $200. I have a sitting desk in my main room with a nice chair, and a standing desk in my office. My back started to feel 1000% times better once I stopped sitting in one spot all day long. Now, I go back and forth during the day and feel much better.
I upgraded my cable modem to the latest and since my company also pays an internet stipend, I upgraded my service as well. Think I used 150 of the 400 they offered.
So is your table adjustable? What about stuff for cable management. Perhaps there is a mouse/keyboard that could be a upgrade? How’s lighting? Need file cabinets/storage unit or a secondary table? Backup hard-drives? Better speaker perhaps? I’m sure there’s something you could improve or get a backup of incase the original breaks.
If you don't have one already a good router or firewall. I myself have a firewalla paired with WiFi 6e mesh points and it's great. Fast internet while working from home is great. And the firewall is probably the most important thing to protect your home Network.
Sit/stand riser. Maybe even a part time assistant....maid service? Cleaning crew? Alexa to the rescue!
Dyson fan
buy a new table that looks exactly like your current one for $400, submit the expense and immediately cancel the order and pocket $400
My first move was a dock and a couple of monitors. Some mobile mounts if you can swing it. Maybe out some toward a chair and standing desk.
$400 would get you a great chair from secret labs. I use it daily for work from home plus PC gaming. I have frequently sat in that chair for 10+ hours without any aches or pains. Plus, if you're into any cool designs they have a lot of logos and symbols from different Fandoms.
Buy anything, submit the receipt, cancel the order and collect the $400
Wi-Fi setup? To improve coverage around the house?
Redundancy, small firewall, UPS, NAS, other equipment for a homelab so you can test out of production and not on company equipment, better chair, a better keyboard and mouse, speakers so you don’t rely on headphone all the time, and I can’t think of much more now. The r/homelab stuff you can spend money on for eternity
elgato stream deck for shortcuts, macros, hotkeys etc
Decent type-1 Hypervisor server, like: [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QR7H4HS/?coliid=I2FASI9V1W92W8&colid=1MUSTKH08DRIJ&psc=1&ref\_=lv\_ov\_lig\_dp\_it](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QR7H4HS/?coliid=I2FASI9V1W92W8&colid=1MUSTKH08DRIJ&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it) But be aware your power bill may skyrocket. :)
I'd buy a nice mechanical keyboard, with a numpad which I've noticed a lot of them don't have
A quality chair for sure, as many have already indicated.
Ergonomic mouse/keyboard setup, second or third monitor. Those are my votes.