Programmers are not cave-dwellers. They also need some stuff to ply their trade. However, programmers are methodical. They select every item after a lot of deliberation and analysis, thanks to their analytical nature. In this post, we look at 6 Gadgets a Programmer must have in 2019. Also, we will look at the best options for each of these products.
1. A Laptop
Laptop basically tops the list of top 6 gadgets a programmer must have in 2019. You would hardly see a programmer happy without their laptop.
A laptop is more important to programmers than most of their other belongings. Even a few days of estrangement from their laptops can lead to anxiety. I have seen programmers forget to pack their clothes but not their laptops.
In my opinion some of the best laptops for programmers are as follows:
Macbook Pro 2018
Yes, the Macbook Pro 13” Inch is one of the best options available in the market. It’s sleek design and amazing performance makes it a wonderful companion to a programmer. Mac OS-X is as good as ever and provides one of the best developer ecosystems. Basically, this is a must-have if you are into developing apps for the Apple eco-system.
It is also travel-friendly meaning that a programmer who needs to be on the go never finds it tough to carry this beast along.
Lenovo Thinkpad E470
If you are on a budget and can’t afford a Macbook, the Lenovo Thinkpad E470 is a great portable laptop for programming. It comes packaged with an i5 processor, 8GB RAM, and 256GB of SSD. You can also go for configuration options with this based on personal needs.
2. A Display
Even though laptop screens are great while one is on the go, a big screen is indispensable when working at your own home desk setup. In my view, this is the most important item out of the top 6 gadgets a programmer must have from a health point-of-view. A nice wide-screen display can reduce eye-strain and helps in the correct height adjustment for working. For multi-tasking needs, a dual monitor setup is a must. It can boost productivity as well as make it easy for developers to switch between tasks.
Some of the best displays one can go for are below:
Acer SB220Q 21.5-inch Full HD
With Full-HD resolution, wide view angle and a super thin build, you can’t go wrong with this one. At 21.5 inches, the Acer SB220Q display hits the perfect size for a normal desk setup. The striking thin build also helps save the space on a medium-sized desk. After all, you need to save as much space as possible to accommodate other gadgets.
HP 23.8-inch FHD IPS Monitor
If you wish to have an even bigger display, then the correct choice would be the HP 23.8-inch FHD IPS Monitor. It comes fully packed with the usual bells-and-whistles of a high-end display. However, one of its biggest draws is the convenient ergonomics including tilt, height and pivot adjustments. This allows you to adjust the display based on your current needs.
3. Wireless Keyboard and Mouse
If you are looking for convenience and a clean desk setup, a wireless keyboard and mouse is a must have for any programmer. A wireless keyboard and mouse combination can connect to your laptop without all those pesky cables that keep getting tangled. This also frees up at least 1 USB slot and also makes your setup super-portable.
Some of the great options for wireless keyboard and mouse are as follows:
Logitech MK345 Wireless Combo
You can’t go wrong with this one. If you are looking for something of good quality and also not at an eye-watering price level, the Logitech MK345 is a great option. The key-presses have a great feedback. It is an all-round joy to type on this keyboard. There is a generously sized palm-rest that also helps you comfortably work for long duration. The mouse has precision contours that allows it to fit comfortably into your palm.
Logitech MK550 Wireless Combo
If you are keen on ergonomic key-placement and are willing to go one level above in the price point, then Logitech MK550 would be the optimum choice for you. This can potentially remove hand and wrist pain even if you have a need to spend long hours in front of a computer in a typing-heavy workload. Plus, there’s no doubt that it looks great with its wave-design.
4. USB Hub
A USB Hub is an absolute necessity these days. I can’t even imagine working without it these days specially with the amount of devices that could be plugged into your system at any given point of time. Even with a wireless keyboard and mouse setup you are going to run out of USB ports pretty fast and the cables keep on coming. A USB Hub can solve most of your issues in this regard.
In my opinion, some of the best USB Hubs are as follows:
Sabrent 4-Port USB 3.0 Hub
Sabrent 4-Port USB 3.0 Hub is a great choice at a pretty cheap price point. It is going to sit snugly on your desk. Plus, it has separate switches for each port. Moreover the well-spaced ports ensure that the cables don’t bump into each other.
USB C Hub, TOTU 8-In-1 Type C Hub with Ethernet Port
This is an absolute beast when it comes to handling your various devices. The Totu 8-In-1 Type C Hub is costly but it comes packed with multiple options ranging from USB 2.0 to Card Reader slots as well as USB C to HDMI adapters. Plus, its sleek design ensures that you can pack it along wherever you go.
5. Headphones
This is an absolute must-have for any programmer in my opinion. In fact, in the list of 6 gadgets a programmer must have, this is the most important item to boost productivity. With the advent of open-office concept, offices have become more noisy. Imagine you are deep in thoughts contemplating the logical flow of your program and your neighbor just started ranting about their kids puking. Before you know it, your chain of thought has been dismantled and you’ve to probably start from the beginning. A good headphone can save you so much agony in lost time.
Below are some of the options that I consider best for these kind of situations:
Sennheiser HD 4.40 Around Ear Bluetooth Wireless Headphones
This is a really amazing choice if you want to get a high-quality wireless headphone without setting your wallet on fire. The Sennheiser HD 4.40 is an around-ear model and ensures that you can use it for several hours at a stretch without causing discomfort. They work well with mobiles as well. The proprietary Sennheiser drivers ensure a balanced sound with dynamic bass.
Sennheiser HD 4.20s Around Ear Headphones
The Sennheiser HD 4.20S also belongs to the famed HD series of headphones from Sennheiser. I would recommend them if you are okay to go for non-wireless option and also save some bucks in the process. These headphones are extremely well-built and packs all the features of a typical Sennheiser headphone at an extremely competitive price-point.
You can also read a detailed review of Sennheiser HD 4.20S if you want to know more.
6. Web-Camera
Programmers are not isolated nomads. Well, maybe some of them are. But the point is that programmers need to interact with each other. They work in teams that are sometimes geographically far apart. Face to face meetings are rare in such setups. But seeing and communicating is extremely important to build trust with your colleagues. That’s where a good web-camera is extremely necessary for a programmer. Moreover, even job interviews these days happen on skype and a good camera can show your professionalim in front of a prospective employer.
Below are some of the best choices:
Logitech C270 Webcam
The Logitech C270 Webcam basically does everything a webcam should do. It can record at HD 720p during video calling and recording. The sound quality is decent for this price point.
Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920
The name says it all. Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920 is really a pro option. It works at Full HD 1080p during video calling and recording. Plus, it’s microphone is also really robust with noise-cancellation and noise-reduction options. This allows you to use this camera even in a noisy room.
Conclusion
We looked at the top 6 gadgets a programmer must have in 2019.
Do you have all of them? Or do you think there are other more important gadgets that deserve to be on this list?
Sound off your views in the comments section below.
2 Comments
jj · July 27, 2020 at 9:11 pm
A good chair and a docking station would also be a great alternative in this list.
Saurabh Dashora · July 28, 2020 at 2:25 am
Good point!