Seven of the best tech and gadgets for the modern office and co-working spaces
- From laptop stands to a split keyboard to a multi-port USB adapter, here are some ideas for the 21st century office worker
- Also included: a stand-up desk, a handy laptop bag and earbuds that allow you to hear conversations
As co-working spaces gain popularity and traditional offices move towards open-plan designs, cubicles and fixed desks are increasingly becoming a thing of the past. Here are some of the top gadgets and tools for the modern work environment.
Roost Stand
The Roost Stand is a portable, lightweight laptop stand that elevates your laptop’s display to eye level when used on a desk.
While it doesn’t sound like much, the Roost Stand offers significant added comfort and productivity by addressing the sore shoulders and other health problems inherent to slouching over a laptop for eight hours a day.
When expanded, the Roost Stand lifts your laptop screen between six and 11 inches off the table. Despite its weight of just 170 grams, the stand is stable and well-balanced, with rubber feet and laptop grips at the front.
A single motion closes the Roost Stand, which collapses into a volume measuring just 3.3cm by 3cm, and 33cm deep (1.3in by 1.2in by 13in). A protective sleeve is bundled so that you can throw the gadget into your backpack without having to worry about scratches.
Price: US$74.95
Anker 7-Port USB 3.0 Hub
Are you always running out of ports for your laptop? Plug in the palm-sized Anker 7-Port USB 3.0 Hub for six additional ports at blazingly fast USB 3.0 speeds of up to 5Gbps in a lightweight design.
No software driver is required and it works with both Windows and OS X operating systems. The compact chassis offers some measure of portability, while its convenient upward facing ports let you plug in USB devices one-handed.
The seventh port on the Hub is BC1.2 compliant for fast charging of up to 1.5 amps without sacrificing data transfer. This offers the ability to keep devices such as your iPad tablet or smartphone topped up while in the office.
A stand-alone 36-watt power adaptor is included and ensures a seamless experience even with power-hungry USB storage devices and adaptors.
Price: US$32.99
Levit8 Standing Desk
The Allocacoc Levit8 alleviates the health risks from sitting all day in the office, and is a surprisingly affordable standing desk solution.
Inspired by Japanese art of origami, the Levit8 folds flat for safekeeping in a cupboard (or haversack) and transforms easily into a robust stand with a couple of twists.
When deployed, triangular panels lean on each other for a structure that can hold more than 20 times its own weight for a highly stable platform for your laptop.
The Levit8 is made of rigid craft board panels and is sheathed with a stain resistant fabric for years of use.
It is available in four different deployed sizes – 23cm, 30cm, 36cm and 41cm (9.1in, 11.8in, 14.2in and 16.1in) – each of which is identified with a different colour. Before you buy, be sure to check out the guide on the product website for the ideal model for your height.
Price: US$23.95, US$27.95 and US$32.95 (small, medium and large)
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless
All work and no music make for a dull worker. The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless delivers audiophile quality music playback from an unbelievably small pair of earbuds.
Enjoy up to four hours of battery life at a go and use the touch controls built into the earbuds to tweak the volume or skip tracks.
Drop the earbuds into the compact fabric-wrapped charging case over lunch or just before heading home to recharge them. Up to two recharges is offered, and a built-in USB-C port on the charging case lets you easily top it up with any available charger.
The stand-out feature of the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless is probably its “Transparent Hearing” mode, which pipes in surrounding sounds captured from two built-in microphones.
You don’t have to sacrifice music playback, which means that you can catch both music and office gossip while wearing the earbuds.
Price: US$319
Ultimate Hacking Keyboard
The Ultimate Hacking Keyboard (UHK) is a split mechanical keyboard that offers a superior typing experience over the keyboard on your laptop – particularly useful if you are using a laptop stand like the Roost Stand.
When ordering, choose from six different types of key switches for your preferred levels of tactile feedback and “click” sound for the keyboard.
You can use the UHK like a normal keyboard or take advantage of its split design by moving the two halves apart for a more ergonomic typing posture that conforms to the angle of your wrist. Removable feet are included and allow you to tilt the two halves of the keyboard to your preferred angles.
The UHK is highly customisable with multiple keycap printing options and base colours for an astounding 240 unique variations.
The customisation extends beyond the surface, with the ability to perform advanced key remapping for new short cuts, assigning dual role keys and even the creation of macros for enhanced productivity – or games.
For now, make your colleagues jealous by pairing your UHK with the beautiful natural beech wood palm rest option.
Price: US$275 for keyboard (additional US$75 for Palm rest)
Apple iPad
Looking to enhance your productivity with more than one monitor, but can’t convince your boss to purchase stand alone monitors? It turns out that the Apple iPad tablet has another use aside from your weekend Netflix binges or on the subway ride home. Specifically, it can function as a high-resolution external display at work.
Just buy a program such as Duet, hook up your iPad to your laptop with a cable, and use your tablet as a portable display with Windows or Mac OS laptops. If you prefer a wireless experience, Duet Pro delivers the added convenience on top of support for the Apple Pencil.
You will need a way to prop up the tablet, which you can do with the versatile TwelveSouth Compass Pro, or get a case that doubles as a stand. With a wired cable to our PC laptop, our Apple iPad Pro 12.9 inch is good for a full day’s work with adequate charge for the trip home.
Price: From US$816 (11-inch iPad Pro with 64GB storage)
WaterField Sutter Tech Sling Bag
Tired of staid or boring bags or briefcases for your laptop? The Sutter Tech Sling Bag may just be what the doctor ordered.
Sling the bag across your body or over one shoulder – a clever ring mechanism lets the strap swivel around with almost 180 degrees of movement to keep the Sutter balanced and snug against your body. This lets you keep your bag close, and works surprisingly well in packed lifts and crowded public transport stations
The front pocket is accessible via the left or right side by swinging it to your front, while a padded laptop compartment and waterproof zips help protect your expensive tech hardware.
As with other bags from WaterField, the Sutter Tech Sling Bag is handcrafted in small batches by craftsman to exquisite workmanship standards.
The Sutter Tech Bag is available in two sizes: Standard to fit the iPad Pro 11-inch or Surface Pro Go, and Full for larger devices such as the Surface Pro and 13-inch MacBook Pro.
Price: US$169, US$179 (Standard, Full)
