Hey Guys
Hope you’ve had a good week!
Recently, a few friends have asked about the equipment I’ve been using for my work-from-home desk setup.
Getting this right for me has been like eating a donut:
All nice and sweet on the first few bites, until you realise that there’s a massive gaping hole to fill with more stuff.
I don’t know if that analogy quite works, but going with it I’m probably eating my seventh or eighth donut and still perfecting my “perfect” desk setup!!
More seriously, I’ve set out below key components of my current setup that I’ve discussed the most with friends and defined this in three categories:
Desk
Audio
Lighting
I’ve listed out the prices I paid for each item and also where I bought them from.
If you have any questions about any of these, or any desk setup tips or tools that have worked for you that you would recommend, please let me know!
I’ll also try to make a video about my setup in the coming weeks, which I think will give an interesting perspective into how these elements combine to work for me.
See you next weekend!
David
Desk
1) Viozon 6-in-1 Selfie Desktop Live Stand Set
Cost: S$240 (incl. S$70 international shipping)
I currently rent my apartment in Singapore and inherited my landlord’s dining table set. Almost immediately after moving in, I pushed the dining table into a corner (making it my study desk) and put the dining chairs in my bomb shelter.
N.B.
for those outside Singapore, up until a several years ago, all apartments in Singapore needed to come with this room. You can read more about it
here
.
However, I frequently found my monitor and various peripherals and chords sitting on the table to be quite messy, and even at the best of times occupying precious tabletop space.
Several months ago, I resolved to find a solution that would lift these elements off the table. This would free up usable surface area and give my desk a cleaner look. I ultimately settled on this value-for-money solution from Viozon. It came with a ring light, laptop stand, phone stand and microphone stand.
Where I bought it: Viozon Website
The YouTube video review below ultimately convinced me to part with my $ and give Viozon’s product a go. Have a watch! I have no regrets about buying it!
2) Unbranded 2-in-1 Monitor and Laptop Mount (Black colour)
Cost: S$97
I use the Viozon laptop stand above to hold my work laptop.
However, I needed another stand to hold my Dell 27” monitor and personal Apple MacBook Air M1 laptop. I ultimately settled on this mount from Lazada on the basis of the decent number of positive high reviews with photos.
Where I bought it: Lazada 2-In-1 Adjustable Dual Monitor Arm Mount
3) Rybozen KVM Switch HDMI 2 Port Box
Cost: S$53
For increased productivity, I wanted to have the ability to switch between both my work and personal laptops running, using the same Dell monitor as well as my Logitech USB wireless keyboard and mouse.
I used to do this manually by unplugging and replugging cords and USBs from one device to another. However, doing this multiple times a day became increasingly frustrating and a big drain on my time.
The solution to this is a KVM switch. In my case, HDMI cables run from both laptops to the KVM switch. The USB controlling my keyboard and mouse plugs straight into the KVM switch. At the press of a button on the KVM switch, I can switch between work and personal which has significantly increased my productivity and frankly, enjoyment of life!!
Where I bought it: Amazon Website - Rybozen KVM Switch 2 Port
Audio
1) Rode NT-USB Condenser Microphone
S$259
During a number of my videoconferences for work last year, I received feedback that the sound from my end had significant echo. This was due to the fact that I was using my Apple AirPods or the inbuilt microphones on either my iPad or work laptop, together with a lack of carpeting and sound deadening material on my walls.
I decided to act on this feedback earlier this year. I admittedly didn't do that much research on microphones (aside from casually browsing an Audio-Technica store in Funan Shopping Centre) and walked into a local music store (Swee Lee at Bras Basah) one day and walked out carrying this Rode microphone not long after!
The sales staff explained that Rode is a widely trusted brand in the music industry, that the microphone is an idiot-proof plug-and-play solution across the MacOS, iOS and Windows operating systems and is more than capable for professional level podcast recordings.
Upon using it for the first time on a call with my manager, she said that I sounded like I was sitting right next to her ear, and that my voice was very clear and deep. I’ve used it for almost all videoconference calls since, as well as for job interviews including for my current month-old job!
My opinion on good audio is that it’s like going to someone’s place and checking out their toilet. It’s not the first place that you seek out but it definitely leaves a lasting impression.
Where I bought it: Swee Lee (Bras Basah outlet) - Rode NT-USB Condenser Microphone
Lighting
Ring Light (25cm Diameter)
~S$40
I have a second ring light in addition to the one that comes bundled with the Viozon set above.
Because I use the inbuilt webcams on my work and personal laptops, I use this ring light concurrently just to give my face that extra level of pop and take the workload off those webcams.
Where I bought it: Ace Store - Level 3 of Funan Shopping Centre, right behind Dal.Komm Coffee and facing Best Denki
IVISII G2 Pocket RGB Camera Light
S$100
I’ve been watching many YouTube videos by YouTubers who film from their home studio.
Aside from good facial lighting, I’ve taken note of how many use a coloured backlight to make the background more interesting.
For me, I purchased this RGB light based on:
the numerous positive reviews it has online
the fact that it comes with its own tripod, which means that it can stand on the floor behind me without me having to find a random object to prop it up against (admittedly not a huge challenge but saves a tonne of hassle!)
my walls are off white and using a blue-ish light makes the background softer and enhances my face on video calls
I have used it on a number of videoconference calls both internally within my company and externally, as well as for interviews. The build quality is excellent - both a solid fit and finish and a weighty feel.
Where I bought it: Amazon - IVISII G2 Pocket RGB Camera Light