Remote Work Environment Sharing (Hardware Edition)

Taiwan has been affected by the epidemic and has entered Level 3 alert, with some companies starting to implement remote work. As someone working in Japan, I have been working remotely since last year and may be able to share some experiences.

Preparations

Once you decide to start preparing for remote work, it is recommended to immediately place an order for the equipment you want to purchase. When Japan entered the period of expanding epidemic, I was a bit slow and had to wait a while for devices like webcams.

Environment

If you are working from home, it is best to set aside a separate space as your office area. Working on a laptop on the sofa or coffee table in the living room for a long time can lead to bad posture and make it difficult to focus on work. I recommend referring to the remote work shopping list, which contains many recommended devices for remote work. Although it may cost a significant amount of money to prepare everything, you can start by choosing the devices that are most necessary for you.

My workspace

Currently, I hide my laptop behind an external monitor to save desktop space. You can also use a stand to use the laptop as a secondary display.

Standing Desk

A standing desk is quite necessary for heavy computer users. Unless you are used to maintaining a fixed height, it is recommended to buy one. I am currently using the FLEXISPOT E3W standing desk (¥45,000). If you don't care about the tabletop, you can buy it together. As for me, I bought the tabletop separately from a hardware store.

Chair

Similarly, it is recommended to choose a good chair, as you will spend a lot of time working with it, and the quality of the chair directly affects your physical health. I am using the ITOKI office chair (YL7-BK-AEL ¥34,900), and if your budget allows, you can consider the Herman Miller ergonomic chair.

4K Monitor

I personally prefer dual monitors, but you can also choose a curved monitor. Since I have already replaced one monitor before, I only have one 4K monitor now.

BenQ 27inch HDR EW2780 ¥24,877
Dell 27inch 4K U2720QM ¥59,800

Keyboard

The choice of keyboard depends on personal preference. I am currently using the legendary HHKB keyboard, specifically the HYBARID Type-S model (¥35,200). It can support up to 4 Bluetooth devices + 1 wired (USB), making it very convenient to switch between multiple devices. You may notice a wooden board below the keyboard, which ensures that your wrists do not bend excessively while typing.

HHKB Keyboard

The HHKB keyboard has several features:

Different Layout from Regular Keyboards

The CapsLock key is removed and replaced with Control. It may take some time to get used to it, but once you are familiar, you can easily press Control with just a slight movement of your little finger. The Delete key is placed above Enter, reducing the distance you need to move when you want to press Delete.

Minimalistic Key Count

HHKB eliminates unnecessary keys in its design, including even the arrow keys (you need to use the fn key to access them).

Capacitive Keyboard

The typing experience is quite different from mechanical keyboards, but the sound is relatively quieter. I switched to HHKB because I found that using a mechanical keyboard for a long time would cause finger fatigue. After switching to HHKB, I rarely experience finger fatigue.

Designed for Engineers

HHKB was originally designed for programmers, and it is easy to use if you are already familiar with Vim (no arrow keys, and the Ctrl key is conveniently located next to A).

The downside is that HHKB is more expensive than regular mechanical keyboards.

Webcam

The built-in camera on Macbooks has poor resolution. If you want to ensure video quality, it is recommended to purchase an external webcam. I recommend the Logitech Webcam C920 (¥7,480), which supports 1080p. I should note that when I bought it during the epidemic, it was out of stock because I ordered it late. I had to wait for more than two weeks to receive it. So I suggest you place your order quickly.

Microphone

Sound is very important, even more important than video. In remote meetings, it is frustrating when the other person's speech is unclear, and over time, it can lead to irritability. I am currently using the Blue Yeti microphone (¥17,100), and generally, entry-level microphones have good sound quality. It depends on your requirements for sound quality.

Noise-Canceling Headphones

If there are other people at home, noise-canceling headphones can help you avoid distractions. I am currently using the Sony WH-1000XM3, and there is now the WH-1000XM4. If you are not too concerned about audio quality, the Airpods Pro is also sufficient.

WiFi Router

The quality of the internet determines the efficiency of remote work. In addition to network transmission speed, choosing an appropriate WiFi router is also important. I recommend watching the videos by Hane's Room. He covers all the important points. I am currently using Google Nest Wifi (¥19,800), which is not available in Taiwan (one of the few benefits of living in Japan). It actually has sufficient specifications and even exceeds many requirements.

SwitchBot Hub Mini

SwitchBot Hub Mini is a WiFi-operated infrared transmitter. It allows you to control things like air conditioning, TV, or set timers for turning on lights in advance. When combined with Google Home, you can achieve remote control of lights without a remote control, which is very convenient for me.

Google Home Nest

The most common way I use it is to remind myself of the time, such as reminding me to prepare lunch when it's noon, to avoid the problem of mixing work and personal life in remote work. Moreover, if used well, Google Home can integrate many functions, such as setting alarms, timers, calendars, listening to news, and controlling smart devices.

Things I Want to Buy Next

Plants: I want to add some green plants to liven up the environment.
Air Purifier: Since I am working from home, it is important to ensure air quality.

Other

I still remember writing about my thoughts on remote work in Fukuoka about four months ago, around this time last year. At that time, I was wondering when I could safely return to Taiwan. It seems that I will have to wait a while longer for the journey back home. I hope the epidemic can stabilize soon, and I also hope to return home as soon as possible.