Whether you’re headed back to school, corporate HQ, venturing solo, or doing the hybrid hokey pokey (you spend one day in, you spend one day out, you spend one day in, then you work from your friend’s house), the tech you chose will make or break your experience.
“When I have equipment that I love, it makes me feel empowered, motivated, fearless,” says YouTube star Techme0ut. “It gets me excited to work and helps me stay on task.” Below, she shares her expert recs for the top gear to power your workflow — without breaking the bank.
1. ARRIS SURFboard mAX Mesh WiFi 6 System
Nothing is more frustrating than finding a new nook only to discover the Wi-Fi stinks in that exact spot. This mesh Wi-Fi system, available in four different versions, can cover every inch of up to 6,000 square feet with speeds up to 11 Gbps. So you’ll never freeze up on another video call from that tranquil perch in your garden, attic, garage, or roof — or slow down when everyone in your house is logged on. “That extra speed and connectivity will make your workflow easier and more enjoyable,” Techme0ut says. No matter where in your home you want to work.
Compact and lightweight, this little laptop packs a big punch with a 14-inch LED display and a host of useful WF anywhere features, including background noise removal to hide whatever’s going on around you on video calls, and a built-in beauty filter to hide whatever’s going on…on you. Plus, it’ll hold a charge for up to 18 hours, so it’ll handle a full school or Zoom-heavy day with ease. But the real clincher is the price: Starting at $350, it’s a no-brainer investment for on-the-go work.
3. HP OfficeJet Pro 8025e with Instant Ink
If you print, copy, scan, or fax (yes, fax!), this compact, all-in one solution is an instant upgrade worth making for your office or household. The OfficeJet Pro supports cloud-based printing, so you can demand hardcopies from anywhere and your documents will be ready when you return. And with HP’s Instant Ink program, you’ll never print a dud page again; HP monitors when your ink’s running low and will ship a new cartridge to your doorstep automatically. Plus you’ll get six months of free ink with your purchase.
In a world of ever-growing phablets, the 12 Mini stands out — and not just for people with small hands. You’ll get the same A14 Bionic chip as the 12 Pro and the same ultra wide and wide lenses for 70 percent of the price. That means killer nighttime photography and crazy fast processing speeds all wrapped up in colorful aluminum and a ceramic shield that promises not to break if it slips off your desk or into the toilet. Or straight off your desk into the toilet. We’re not judging. “I handle a lot of my work on the go on my phone,” Techme0ut says. Whether you’re updating spreadsheets, doing homework, or editing social media videos on the fly, the Mini makes a great buy.
If you use social media for work or play, the S21 should be on your radar. It’s got a 6.2-inch screen, four excellent cameras, and all-day battery life — all for $400 less than its big brother, the Ultra. But for those who deal in photos and video, Techme0ut says, it has a lot of features built into the camera app that’ll get you on your way to pro-level editing without extra downloads, like removing an object or person from a photo with a fingertap. If you’re already in the Samsung ecosystem, this phone will streamline your processes, letting you effortlessly pick up where you left off on a tablet or laptop.
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Running sweet new devices on a sluggish cable internet connection (or — gasp! — a rented modem) is like buying a rocketship without the fuel. The S33 will help give your gear the bandwidth it needs to perform to its full potential. It works with most U.S. cable internet providers to deliver crazy fast download speeds of up to 3.5 Gbps, ideal for keeping all your cloud-based activities running optimally, from video editing tools to spreadsheets, gaming and VR. Pair it with the ARRIS SURFboard mAX mesh Wi-Fi system for a home internet network even the most discerning CTO would be proud of.
There is perhaps no better endorsement for Apple’s mighty little laptop than this: Techme0ut sold her 16” MBP for the 13” M1 MBP and never looked back. “With that chipset, you still get the power, but at a lower price and in a smaller body,” she says. Perfect for picking up and editing video for your 355K YouTube subscribers, wherever you may be. The beauty for nomadic students and workers lies in its power to battery life ratio. The M1’s CPU is 3.5x faster than the previous generation but boasts up to 50 percent longer battery life. Eighteen hours to be exact. If you run on Apple, put the Air on your wishlist.
8. INIU MegaPower 10000 Ultra Slim Portable Charger
No more dead batteries. No more worrying about dead batteries, frantic outlet searches, or waiting for a charge. The INIU MegaPower 10000 is sleek, fast, and can juice up an iPhone more than three times before needing a recharge itself. Want more power? Opt for the beefier 20,000 mAh version. “Portable chargers can really impact your day when you’re out on the go,” Techme0ut says. “I love taking them to concerts where batteries die more quickly when everybody’s trying to use the network at the same time.”
Designed for athletes, these wireless earphones feature hooks that keep them in place, whether you’re jumping rope or taking calls. Techme0ut gives them top marks in every category, from fit to battery life (9 hours of listening time) to sound quality. In fact, they’re so comfy, she’s even napped in them. Even more: They feature physical volume and track controls, so you never have to fumble with your phone to get the right sound. Seamless pairing with iOS seals the deal. (Not an Apple user? Beats Studio Buds are her top Android-compatible pick.)
10. Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360
Work in a creative industry? Love art and design? This 2-in-1 combo pairs the power of a laptop with the functionality of a tablet, S Pen included for drawing up your next great idea. Pick between 13.3-inch or 15.6-inch screens. Either way, you can expect 20 hours of battery life and a super slim body that’s easy to tote anywhere. “Artists, creative professionals, those that are into drawing,” says Techme0ut, this is your go-to tech. Especially if you’re already geared up in the Samsung ecosystem.
So treat yourself to an upgrade during this singular back-to-work season. “It makes a difference,” Techme0ut says. “When you know you have the equipment to make your day a little bit easier, it starts the day off a little bit better.”
This article was produced by WIRED Brand Lab for Arris.
