Get Your WFA Setup Ready With Us (Engineers Edition)
COVID-19 has drastically changed the way people work, including me. I have been working from home for this past year, like many other workers in Indonesia.
For me, home has always been a place to relax and unwind, so at first, it was not properly equipped for work. I had to set up a working environment.
A good WFA setup, in my perspective, is a setup that suits your needs based on what you do and keeps you sane while working from home. It may vary from person to person according to your needs.
In this article, I will share the setup that suits my needs and can boost my productivity as well as enjoyment while working from home.
Here’s my journey.
The space problem
I started the process by determining my working spot.
Each room in our house has its own functions, and we have unconsciously adjusted to this distinction. We might experience different mental states in each room, like you might feel more relaxed in your bedroom than in the kitchen. Merging the room functions (like you start eating or doing work in your bedroom) could mess up your body rhythm.
For example, if you work and rest in the same room, your body wouldn’t be able to fully concentrate on the project you’re doing or sleep peacefully when it’s time to rest.
However, the space at my place is limited, and I can’t have a dedicated room for work. So I came up with a solution: dividing my room into Work Space and Entertainment Space. Here’s a peek:
I set up my equipment and spend my working hours at the Work Space, conditioning my mind that this particular spot is where I work. During a break or after work, I moved to the Entertainment Space to unwind, either binge-watching Netflix shows or playing games.
With this arrangement, I can still maintain different mental states (working and resting) despite doing both activities in the same room.
Getting your tools/items
After done with the spot, it was time to procure the necessary equipment. Two important things to consider before browsing the e-commerce apps: functionality and budget.
Don’t splurge on equipment that doesn’t contribute much to your productivity; make sure each piece can make you work more effectively.
Based on those considerations, here’s my WFA Setup:
(Disclaimer: This is not an endorsement for any brands mentioned)
The technical equipment
Monitor
Xiaomi Mi Monitor 34 Ultrawide 2K 144hz
I choose Xiaomi 34 inch monitor because it’s quite a steal, considering the price and specs compared to other ultrawide monitors. It has a 144hz refresh rate that enables buttery smooth operation. I connect my monitor to my laptop using Display Port to Type-C connection to fully use those features. This way, the refresh rate can be activated on my laptop’s Display settings.
I specifically choose an ultrawide monitor because it has a wide aspect ratio, which can show 2 applications on one screen, so there’s no need to switch between apps constantly.
Mouse
Logitech MX master 3
I choose MX master 3 because it has an excellent palm grip design and many custom buttons that can be assigned to other shortcuts. e.g accessing Launchpad or mission control with one click of a button.
Keyboard
Keychron K3 Low profile Mechanical Keyboard
I choose this keyboard because it has the same feeling as my Mac keyboard, which has a low profile design and tactile feedback while typing. Design-wise, it’s also not as flashy as gaming keyboards.
Audio
- Apple Airpods Pro
- Sony Headphone WH1000XM4
- Apple Homepod Mini
I have 3 different peripherals for audio use. Airpods Pro & Sony Headphone are my go-to for online meetings and listening to music while working. However, when I’m not in the mood to plug my ears, I switch to my Homepod Mini. Aside from playing music, the Homepod also serves as a hub for room automation.
Video
Logitech C615 Full HD Webcam
Having a good webcam, in this video conference and online meeting era, is a must. I choose this webcam because it has a Full HD resolution and easy angle adjustment. Very convenient.
Others
Xiaomi Miija Screenbar
The screenbar is designed to fit my monitor and works well in illuminating my workspace. It also has a wireless control feature for brightness and temperature level.
Mini fan
Jakarta is famous for its scorching weather. The mini fan, which I place on my desk, helps alleviate the afternoon heat during my working time.
Onex GE300 Mesh Gaming Chair
Us engineers spend a lot of time sitting, so it’s crucial to invest in a chair that supports our body well. There are many good options in the market, but this one caught my attention. This chair’s back is made from mesh material, allowing well circulation, so my back doesn’t feel hot when sitting for a long time. Design-wise, despite being marketed as a “gaming chair”, it’s pretty modest.
Xbox Series S
Why a gaming console in my Work Space? Of course, so I could immediately jump into the game world for a refreshment after a long day of work.
Aside from technical equipment, I also utilise several tools & apps to simplify my workflow:
Slack
The main work communication channel.
VSCode
My main IDE. It’s convenient because it has a lot of extensions that support the programming language that I use. Furthermore, it’s free and doesn’t burden my RAM when running.
ITerm2
A replacement for my original macOS terminal. The perks? It allows customizations based on my needs.
I hope this exploration into my perfect work from home setup was informative and gave you some help towards creating the perfect home environment.
Remember, stay safe and productive, folks!
Do you know that at DKatalis, we provide WFA Kit allowance for our Katalis to build their dream work setup? Fun, right? Let’s join our team!
