Most of us spent the past year working from home. For many, this was the first time working remotely for an extended period. Others were even less fortunate, having been furloughed or laid off. Thankfully, the world is slowly returning to normal and many of us are finally returning to work. It doesn’t matter if you’re going back into the office full-time, splitting your time between home and the office, or returning to work after an extended break. We have the buying guide to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Laptops
Asus ProArt StudioBook Pro 17
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The Asus ProArt StudioBook Pro 17 is an absolute powerhouse in a portable package. Under the hood, you’ll find a blazing fast Intel Xeon E-2276M 6-Core CPU. It also comes with 32GB of DDR4 RAM (expandable up to 64GB) and a Nvidia Quadro RTX 3000 Max-Q workstation-class mobile GPU with 6GB of GDDR6 VRAM. All of this raw power is complemented by a HD matte IPS display covering 97% of the DCI-P3 color space and a whopping 2TB of storage. Photographers and videographers will be especially pleased to find a dedicated UHS-II SD card reader. Additional connectivity options include Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5, 1x Thunderbolt 3, 1x HDMI 2.0a, and 3x USB Type-A ports. Whether you’re processing catalogs of raw images, editing 4K-8K footage, or creating CAD/3D projects, this machine can handle anything modern creatives may need.
MSI Creator 17 B11UG-239 laptop
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Those wanting a 4K HDR display on the go will love the MSI Creator 17 B11UG-239 laptop’s mini LED anti-glare display. It’s VESA DisplayHDR 1000 certified and covers 100% of the DCI-P3 color space. You can expect pro-grade performance thanks to its combination of Intel Core i7-11800H 8-Core CPU, 16GB of DDR4 RAM (expandable up to 64GB), and a discrete NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 mobile GPU with 8GB GDDR6 VRAM. The included 1TB NVMe SSD provides secure storage while the built-in UHS-III SD card reader will help you populate it quickly. It’s got a wealth of connectivity options including a RJ-45 ethernet jack, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, 1x HDMI, 2x USB Type-A, and 2x USB Type-C ports.
Acer ENDURO N3 EN314-51W-53RR laptop
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If your workload is much less intensive, the Acer ENDURO N3 EN314-51W-53RR laptop will do nicely. It’s powered by an Intel Core i5-10210U 4-Core CPU, paired with 8GB of DDR4 RAM (expandable up to 32GB) and a 256GB SSD. Its smaller 14″ Full HD matte IPS display means the Acer has a much smaller footprint. In addition to having up to 13 hours of battery life, the Acer ENDURO N3 is also the most rugged laptop of the bunch. It’s both impact and spill-resistant with its IP-53 certification and compliance with MIL-STD 810G standard. Like the MSI, the Acer’s wired and wireless networking are supported via its built-in RJ-45 ethernet port and Wi-Fi 6 wireless adapter. Additional connectivity options include HDMI and VGA outputs along with a trio of USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports.
Monitors
LG 49WL95C-WE
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The LG 49WL95C-WE is an ultra-wide curved IPS LED display with a 5120×1440 resolution. It essentially combines two 27″ monitors into a giant display. It doesn’t matter if you’re processing a library of images, editing complex video timelines, or working on multiple applications simultaneously. The LG 49WL95C-WE has more than enough screen real estate to keep everything in view at once. You’ll also appreciate the built-in 10W stereo speakers when you need to unwind from work by listening to music or watching your favorite cat videos.
BenQ SW271C
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If you’re a photographer with a color-accurate workflow, then look no further than the BenQ SW271C. The 27” 4K display utilizes an anti-glare IPS panel that covers 100% of the sRGB and 99% of the AdobeRGB color gamuts. It comes factory-calibrated and is both Calman Verified and Pantone Validated to ensure color accuracy. Also, a detachable hood and a Hotkey Puck G2 peripheral are included. The former helps reduce ambient light pollution while the latter allows you to quickly switch between different color gamuts and access various shortcuts. It’s a competitively priced alternative to comparably specced monitors from manufacturers like EIZO and NEC with higher price tags.
Printers
Brother MFC-L2710DW
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The Brother MFC-L2710DW is an all-in-one monochrome laser printer that can also copy, scan, and fax. It has a 250-sheet capacity paper tray and supports automatic duplex (2-sided) printing at up to 32 PPM (pages per minute). Both local and wireless printing are supported, allowing you to print from your computers as well as your mobile devices. It has a sizable monthly duty cycle of up to 15,000 pages. High-yield toner cartridges for the Brother MFC-L2710DW have a yield of 3,000 pages while replaceable drum units are good for roughly 12,000 pages.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP M227fdn
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The HP LaserJet Pro MFP M227fdn is a heavier duty alternative. The HP’s high-yield toner cartridge yields up to 3,500 pages while its monthly duty cycle (up to 30,000 pages) and replacement drum lifespan (up to 23,000 pages) are doubled that of the Brother’s. It’s an ideal monochrome all-in-one laser printer for those needing to print often but don’t have a need for wireless connectivity (local and wired network connections are still supported). It also has a paper tray with a 250-sheet capacity and also supports duplex printing automatically, albeit at a marginally slower 30 PPM.
Canon PIXMA TR150
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For frequent travelers, having a portable wireless printer like the Canon PIXMA TR150 can save you a lot of headaches. It can print up to 9 PPM (black & white) or 5.5 PPM (color). It can be powered from regular wall outlets or cordlessly using the optional battery attachment. The latter allows you to print up to 300 pages on a single charge. Mobile printing is also supported via Apple AirPrint and Google Cloud Print, allowing you to print directly from your mobile devices without needing to fire up your computer.
Epson WorkForce WF-110
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The Epson WorkForce WF-110 is another portable wireless printer for road warriors that need to print on the go. It can print up to 6.7 PPM (black & white)/3.8 PPM (color) when plugged into a wall outlet, or up to 3.5 PPM (black & white)/2 PPM (color) using the built-in battery. The built-in battery has enough power to print up to 100 black & white pages or 50 color pages and can be fully charged in just 2.5 hours. Like the Canon, the Epson WorkForce WF-110 also has built-in Apple AirPrint and Google Cloud Print mobile printing support.
Accessories
Microsoft LifeCam Studio 5WH-00002
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The video quality from most laptop webcams leaves a lot for desire. Thankfully, you can dramatically improve your video quality without breaking the bank by upgrading to the Microsoft LifeCam Studio 5WH-00002 1080p HD webcam. It has reliable autofocus, wide-angle lens with precision glass element, and built-in TrueColor Technology. This is to ensure your Full HD video output will look as good as possible regardless of lighting conditions.
Logitech H570e Noise-Cancelling microphone
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Audio quality has a huge impact on the overall video conferencing experience. Even if you’ve got the best video feed, it can be hard for others to understand you if there are a lot of ambient noises in the background. Since we don’t always have the luxury of video conferencing from a soundproof location, the Logitech H570e Noise-Cancelling microphone is the next best solution. It combines a noise-canceling mic, echo cancellation, and digital signal processing to eliminate unwanted noise while delivering crystal clear sound quality. Its lightweight construction and soft leatherette ear pads ensure all-day comfort. Meanwhile the flat, tangle-free cable features inline controls allow you to easily adjust the volume as well as answer, mute, and end calls.
Virtual Assistant
Google Nest Audio Smart Speaker
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We could all use someone like Alfred to give us a hand with our busy lives, even if we don’t have Bruce Wayne’s bank account. Thankfully, the Google Nest Audio Smart Speaker is the next best thing. In addition to streaming music from services like Spotify and Pandora, the Google Nest Audio also has a built-in voice-activated virtual assistant. On top of helping you manage your busy schedule, it can even control everything within your smart home such as adjusting the thermostat or turning the lights on or off remotely.
Software
Microsoft Office Home and Student 2019
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Microsoft’s Word, Excel, and PowerPoint have long been the industry standard when it comes to productivity applications. Instead of paying for a recurring monthly subscription, Microsoft Office Home and Student 2019 makes all three programs available as a one-time purchase. Buy it once — use it forever.
Adobe Photoshop Elements & Premiere Elements 2021
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Unlike professional creatives that edit photos or videos for a living, most enthusiasts just want to be able to edit their photos and videos quickly without having to master every program. This is where Adobe Photoshop Elements 2021 & Premiere Elements 2021 come in. By leveraging Adobe’s Sensei AI technology, anyone can perform intelligent edits with the click of a button and organize their photos and videos effortlessly using Smart Tags, facial recognition, etc.
Storage
WD My Passport 5TB External Hard Drive
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The WD My Passport 5TB External Hard Drive is a compact and cost-effective solution for people that need to carry a large amount of data with them on the go. The bundled WD Backup software will automatically backup your important files, while the built-in 256-bit AES hardware encryption and password protection will keep your precious data safe from unauthorized access.
Crucial’s X6 1TB Portable SSD
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If you value faster performance and don’t need to carry as much data with you, then Crucial’s X6 1TB Portable SSD may be the ideal solution for you. It’s lighter and more compact than most traditional HDDs. It’s also faster with maximum sequential reads topping out at 540MB/s. Aside from being resistant to shock, vibration, and extreme temperatures, it can also withstand drops of up to 6.5 feet.
Seagate IronWolf 110 960GB SSD
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If your desktop or laptop needs a storage upgrade, look no further than the Seagate IronWolf 110 960GB SSD. Designed with creative professionals, small office/home office, and small-to-medium businesses in mind, the Seagate IronWolf 110 SSD is capable of delivering high-speed sustained data rates of up to 560MB/s. The built-in power-loss data protection and DuraWrite technology will ensure the 960GB of data is safe. For added peace of mind, Seagate also includes a 5-year limited warranty and 2-year Rescue Data Recovery Services.
Security
Swann DVR-4580 bundle
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For those of us returning to the office for the first time in over a year, securing our homes while we’re away can be a major concern. Luckily, this security system will deter potential intruders and give you peace of mind. Our entry-level choice is the Swann DVR-4580 bundle, which includes a Swann DVR-4580 16-Channel DVR with 1TB Hard Drive and a dozen Swann PRO-1080MSFB 1080p Sensor Warning Light Cameras. The built-in warning lights on the bundled cameras are heat & motion-activated. Their bright, motion-activated LED spotlights also make full-color video recording possible during the evenings. The cameras are also IP-66 rated and completely weatherproof, making them ideal for outdoor use. On top of being compatible with Swann’s own security app ecosystem, Google and Alexa virtual assistants are also supported. While the 1TB HDD can store months of security footage, the Swann DVR-4580 can also upload footage and still images onto your Dropbox account for added off-site backup.
Lorex 4K Ultra HD 16-Channel bundle
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The Lorex 4K Ultra HD 16-Channel 2TB Security System bundle is our choice for consumers that are more security-conscious. This bundle includes a Lorex 4K UHD DVR with 2TB HDD, 10x Lorex 4K UHD Weatherproof Bullet Cameras, and three additional Lorex 1080p security cameras. The Lorex 4K DVR features advanced motion detection to help reduce unnecessary alerts and false alarms. It also has a larger 2TB HDD compared to the Swann DVR to accommodate larger recordings. Like those in the Swann bundle, the Lorex 4K cameras are also weatherproof and feature a robust IP67 rating. They utilize 1/3″ sensors and features Color Night Vision and ClearNight technologies for improved low-light performance. In addition to Google and Alexa compatibility, you can also remotely monitor your Lorex security system using the Lorex Home app.
With more and more businesses returning to normal operations, we hope that the items in this buying guide will help you navigate the challenges that come with returning to work.
