Today it’s easier than ever to work from anywhere in the world, but that doesn’t mean every workspace is created equal.
With a solid set-up at home (be it primary or vacation), it’s possible to equal the productive output achieved in a corner office.
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Below, we lay out how to build a home office that would make you a role model for a Fortune 500 CEO.
Standing Tall, Sitting Pretty
In a pinch, a dining room table can serve as a desk, but for a better work experience, both productively and physically, there’s the SmartDesk 2 with AI.
The customizable, easily accessorized sitting-standing desk will remember your preferred elevations and can be controlled by keypad, voice or gesture via an accompanying app.
Furthermore, the SmartDesk can be set to help you stay fit, converting from sitting to standing at regular intervals to combat the stationary, unhealthy lifestyle led by desk-dependent workers everywhere. And regular physical exercise can prove to be a boon for mental acuity.
SmartDesk is also happy to double as a personal assistant.
With the addition of the AI box and corresponding smart products, SmartDesk users can also control the lights and temperature, play music, order a cab or check their calendar and messages, among other options, all by voice-command.
Price: $299 to $824 based on customization
A Strong and Secure Connection
In today’s workplace, an office is only as good as its internet connection.
For your home office, you’ll want to consider springing for a dedicated connection from your ISP (internet service provider), separate from your home’s primary line. You’ll essentially double your internet bill, but if speed and security are a concern, it’s more than worth the cost.
More:How to Have High-Speed Wireless Throughout Your Luxury Home
And which router should you pair with your office-only online connection? The Asus RT-AC88U .
The well-reviewed router offers lighting-fast surfing speeds and a plethora of ports, making connecting to other office products (printers, scanners, drives, etc) a breeze.
Most importantly, especially if your work involves sensitive material, the RT-AC88U comes with Asus' AiProtection, which promises comprehensive, commercial-grade security for your router and every device connected to it.
In addition to blocking malicious websites and preventing infected devices from connecting to your router, AiProtection will run a 14-point inspection of your network’s settings and guide you, via an easy-to-use interface, on how to build optimal security for system.
Price: $299.99
The Monitor Makes the Businessman
Today’s video technology allows for businesses to negotiate face-to-face regardless of where they actually are.
But if you’re going to address the board from the comfy confines of your Aspen ski home, it better be on the best monitor available.
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For that, we recommend a top-rated smart TV, the LG B6.
Equipped with an ethernet connection, WebOs 3.0 and multiple USB and HDMI ports, this solid screen can easily serve multiple roles in your home office, from video conference monitor to presentation projector.
If your primary use for the B6 will be video meetings, it’s worth investing in additional peripherals like a web camera/microphone. Top-notch options like the Logitech C920 ($61.99) don’t cost much, can easily be attached to the B6 and will free you from relying on your laptop’s built-in options.
And at the end of the day, everyone needs a little distraction from the tasks of the day and what is better than an internet-connected television with unrivaled picture quality?
Price: $1,999.99 to $2,999.99
Timeless Technology
Despite our increasingly digital world, there are certain technologies, especially in the world of work, that just won’t die.
You’d be forgiven, for example, for thinking that the legal field exists solely for the preservation of the fax machine industry.
Nonetheless, sometimes a client needs to see (and hold) your signature and faxing remains a regular part of the rigors of white-collar work.
The HP Officejet Pro 8610 is a single machine solution to the less digital (some might say less glamorous) aspects of your employed life.
The compact color printer is perfect for the home office, serving quadruple duty as a printer, fax machine, copier and scanner, that can be controlled wireless and from mobile devices.
Price: $199.99