THE HOME-WORKING REVOLUTION
Whether you have to stay at home or simply prefer to, Maximum PC is here to optimize your working-from-home life
Discover the best tips and hacks to set up the perfect homeworking environment.
GREETING, LOYAL READERS. The Maximum PC team remains in lockdown at the time of writing, but with the aid of technology we’re adapting to our new working environment, and a host of apps, services, and specialized hardware is making it easier than ever.
This is leading toward a time where working from home is the preferred option for many, whether they’ve experienced it recently or have been fighting for it for years. Corporations and employees alike are finding that their jobs can, in fact, be done remotely.
We’re here to help you work from home, whether that’s during this accursed pandemic or beyond it. From the best ergonomic peripherals to the right way to use that video chat software your boss has been demanding you use, there are plenty of ways you can make your working-from-home lifestyle easier, more efficient, and more comfortable.
In this feature, we’ll be covering the key apps and programs you’ll need to stay connected to the outside world as you work from the comfort and safety of your own domicile. We’ll take you through the hardware you might want, and the tips and tricks you’ll need to keep your home functioning as a healthy work environment. We’re also going to take a look at desktop work PCs, and how you can easily and cheaply build a system that’s perfect for working from home.
Above all, we’d like to take this chance to thank all our readers for supporting us during this time. Producing the magazine from our respective homes has been an interesting experience, to say the least. MaximumPC benefits from a truly international team, both full-time and freelance, many of whom already work from home, and now we’re eager to return the favor. So strap in (to your desk chairs), and let’s go.
IF YOU’VE ONLY transitioned to working from home (which we’re going to refer to as WFH from here on in) in the past few months, it may feel like you’ve been dunked unceremoniously into a swirling vat of unfamiliar software that everyone is suddenly talking about. “What the heck is Zoom?” asked 17 million people around the world in late March. “Why have I never heard of Discord?” they cried.
In case you’re somehow not in the loop, Zoom (much like Skype or Google Hangouts) is a video-conferencing service, ideal for those important face-toface office meetings when not everyone can make it to the office in person. Discord is another service not unlike Hangouts, but more in-depth, allowing you to create private, customizable servers with different “rooms” for voice, video, and text communication. We’re going to be looking at the advantages and disadvantages of each platform, as well as giving you a crash course in how to use them.
First up, let’s talk about video calls. It’s perhaps the most important aspect of WFH—both for that much-needed human contact, and for better communication with your colleagues when you can’t meet in person. One-to-one video calls and video conferences are necessary in most professions to effectively work from home. You’ll need a webcam and potentially some other hardware for this, but we’ll get to that in a couple of pages. Softwarewise, you have three main options for video calls on PC: Zoom, Hangouts, and Skype. Discord does offer video chat and screen-sharing, but it’s less convenient to set up and use than the other software options here, so we wouldn’t recommend it for professional use.
Zoom and Hangouts both offer comprehensive and effective services; Skype simply isn’t as good, so unless your superiors are insisting upon using it, we’d steer clear. The MaximumPC team primarily uses Hangouts when we’re WFH, so let’s cover that first. As you may already know, Google Hangouts is available both as a mobile app or in a browser on a PC, and offers instant messaging and group video calls, with the former also being integrated into Gmail on browsers.
Hangouts’s video-call functionality is solid and simple to use, with scheduled calls being automatically added to Google Calendar so you can join them with just a few clicks. Free conference calls are capped at 10 simultaneous users (with no time limits, which is useful for lengthy meetings), but for presentations with numerous viewers it’s also possible to “stream on Hangouts,”
enabling numerous users to tune in to one video feed. Video and sound quality are generally beholden to the quality of your own home setup, of course.
ZOOM IN THE ROOM
Next up is Zoom, the popular new kid on the block. It was already an effective tool but skyrocketed to widespread use early on in the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to any lockdown orders, Zoom was primarily used on a corporate level, but has since expanded into areas like education, healthcare, and hobbyist meet-ups. Some therapists are now offering sessions over Zoom, teachers have met with their classes on the platform, and it remains ideal for large corporate meetings.
Zoom is available on both PC and Android/iOS, although the PC version has a free desktop app as well as being accessible via browsers. Zoom’s free tier caps video meetings at 40 minutes, although the video call participant cap is 1,000, making it the clear choice over Hangouts if you regularly host meetings with 10+ colleagues. 49 concurrent video streams can be active at once, and Zoom’s nifty behind-the-scenes technology can automatically prioritize the video of whoever is talking, ensuring that you can tell who is speaking over a bargain bin microphone. The screen-sharing function that is now available in most video call clients is present in both Hangouts and Zoom, but only Zoom lets multiple users share their screens at once.
Zoom is a tad more complex to use than Hangouts, with useful features like note-taking tools and automatic voiceto-text transcription that manages to register speech with surprising accuracy. Hangouts benefits from full Google integration; if you already use Gmail, Google Drive, and Google
Calendar, Hangouts will work seamlessly. If you (or your company) uses other systems, though, Zoom may be the better option. Zoom requires you to create a dedicated account and lets you create and schedule video meetings, either in the desktop client or on the Zoom website. Neither Hangouts nor Zoom lets you record video meetings without paying to upgrade your account.
TYPE CAST
For text chat, we use Slack and Discord (you can join the MaximumPC Discord serverat bit.ly/MPCDiscord), the latter of which also offers audio “rooms” and video calls similar to those of Hangouts. Slack is a straightforward, professional IMS, keeping clutter to a minimum and letting you easily create channels within which different topics can be discussed. It also links to a number of other third-party tools (like Outlook and Google Calendar) for ease of use. The free model of Slack has a limit on how many messages can be stored, deleting old messages once you hit the limit, but we’ve never found this to be a problem.
Discord is a fantastic suite of communication tools, but we wouldn’t recommend using it for the stuffier corporate calls. There’s a reason it’s popular within the tech community: It was originally designed for gamers to keep in touch and communicate with each other during intense online games, be
that competitive esports matches, or epic, 40-player raids in MMORPGs.
The slightly frustrating crux of the matter is that despite featuring basically every element that we expect from the other software listed here (customizable channels within private servers, multiuser video calls with screen-sharing, audio rooms with unlimited user capacity, even moderator-controlled chat bots), Discord is and always has been insistent on adopting a particular aesthetic and UI that can only be described as “mid2000s gamer cool.” The startup screen lists popular games, funny (often cringeworthy) messages pop up while the app loads or updates, and any friend requests you send are “escorted by elite Discord samurai.”
The fact is that Discord simply isn’t that professional. A “business” mode for the software has been floated by users many times over the last few years, but the developers don’t seem to be interested. It’s a shame, as Discord is a featurerich alternative to Slack and Hangouts, and doesn’t lock the majority of its features behind a paywall. If you’re lucky enough to have a relatively casual work environment, or you’re more interested in keeping in touch with friends, it’s still worth a look.
GRAB SOME GEAR
Having the right hardware can make your WFH experience more efficient and productive, not to mention making you the envy of your colleagues. There’s a huge amount of options here, so we’re going to start with peripherals, but we’ll get to talking about system upgrades later on too. We’ll skip over keyboards and mice, since we’d like to hope that you already have one of each that suits you. If not, how on earth have you been using your PC?
All of the peripherals we’re going to talk about are useful, but webcams are an absolute necessity. If you’re taking part in regular video calls or streams, having a good-quality webcam is a must. Ironically, the best webcams around are mostly gaming models designed for Twitch streamers rather than office workers, but that doesn’t make them any less effective. The Razer Kiyo, for example, offers 1080p video with a bright
LED ring light—ideal for if you’re making video calls in a poorly-lit space. We’d advise against getting anything below 720p resolution: 1080p is perfect for Zoom and Hangouts.
However, the brand we’d truly recommend for webcams is Logitech. With a huge range of plug-and-play (plug-and-work?) webcams that suit every budget, everyone should be able to find a Logitech webcam that suits their needs. The C270 is an excellent option if money is tight, while the Logitech Brio is a dazzling 4K option for those with money to burn. If Logitech doesn’t tickle your fancy, you might want to check out Microsoft’s own webcams, like the eminently professional Lifecam Studio. Some webcams come equipped with Windows Hello compatibility, which is worth looking out for as it makes logging into your PC each morning faster and easier.
Many webcams have an internal microphone for picking up audio, but you SHOULD NOT USE IT. Much like integrated speakers on a monitor, these mics are rarely any good, and it’s a simple enough business to replace them with a dedicated freestanding mic, or a headset with a boom microphone. It’s important to ask yourself if you really need a freestanding mic, though;
Brands like Blue, RØDE, and Razer all offer outstanding audio clarity, but if you’re working in a quiet room you should find that a good-quality headset mic works just fine. Regardless of what mic you’re using, make sure that you don’t play call audio out loud through speakers; this can cause feedback that will annoy your fellow call participants. If you’re producing feedback despite wearing a headset, you may need to turn down the sensitivity of your microphone.
HEADY, SET, GO
When it comes to headsets, once again you may find that the best options are gaming brands. Thankfully many of these look professional enough to wear on a work video call, such as Steelseries’s excellent Arctis line or the Cloud headset series from HyperX. Look out for the “Discord Certified” badge when comparing headset mics; this means the mic has passed a series of audio clarity tests for voice chat over Discord. Pay attention to the pick-up patterns of mics too; omnidirectional mics will pick up sound from everywhere, which can make background noise worse, while a cardioid or unidirectional pattern should only register your voice. If you already have headphones but no mic, consider investing in the fantastic AntLion ModMic, it’s an effective miniature boom mic that attaches to the side of your headphones and is a cheap inexpensive solution.
When it comes to monitors, it’s all about personal preference. BenQ, AOC, Acer, and Asus all produce high-quality displays in a variety of sizes, so it’s important to consider what you’re going to be using your monitor for. There’s no need to buy a 4K display if you’re running an old PC with integrated graphics, but if you game as well as work on your desktop, you may want to invest in a better screen. If you work with digital art or photo/video editing, ensure that you’ve got a display with good color density.
One key question surrounding monitors is the notion of dual-screen setups. Two
displays side by side can increase productivity for some users, but be careful: If you already have a 30-inch widescreen monitor, you don’t need a second screen. Two 24-inch or 27inch displays are a good call for a dual-screen setup.
Such setups are easier to, well, set up, than ever before, requiring just the monitor and an extra HDMI or DisplayPort cable. Windows
10 has made it easier than ever to control multiple monitors: Just go to “System Settings > Display > Multiple Displays” to set your primary display and adjust both screens. If you select “Extend these displays,” Windows will begin to treat both screens as one display, allowing you to seamlessly move between the two.
CONNECT AND CONTAIN
Internet connectivity is a hot issue during a pandemic lockdown. With more people WFH than ever, some ISPs are creaking under the weight of the extra online traffic. There isn’t much you can do about that, but upgrading your router may help—especially if you live in a busy household with multiple internet users. Netgear and TP-Link have plenty to offer here, whether it’s the home-assistant router Orbi from Netgear, or TP-Link’s powerful Archer line. Routers that offer multiple connection channels (dual-band or tri-band Wi-Fi) are ideal for this, as you can hop onto an unoccupied channel and enjoy lag-free video calls while the rest of your household uses a separate band.
At-home digital storage solutions are another key element of WFH, especially if you regularly deal with large files in your profession. If you just need to back up and store your own files, large external hard drives aren’t too expensive; check out Western Digital’s wares. However, if you want your own, more secure storage solution that can be accessed from anywhere, you may want to invest in buying (or building) a NAS system. For this, TerraMaster’s F-series NAS boxes offer good-quality personal cloud storage that is easy to use and won’t break the bank.
HOME IMPROVEMENTS
Beyond your PC, there are plenty of ways to improve your home to better suit your work lifestyle. It goes without saying that if you have a separate room you can use as an office space, you should, but we’re going to cover plenty of tips that can be implemented anywhere in your home, even if you prefer to (or have to) work from your bedroom or living room. Speaking of bedrooms: Never work from bed! It won’t help your productivity, but it will likely make your back hurt.
First up, you need a desk. Working at the same table you eat at, particularly in a busy household, isn’t a good plan. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy: A small flat-packed desk from Target is fine, or even just a wooden worktop atop two Ikea cabinets. There’s no need to spend a lot of money setting up your home for working. A bit of DIY will save you money—if you can make it yourself, you should.
Maximizing your storage space can also be useful when WFH, as the MaximumPC team has found, with hardware stacking up inside our homes. Wall-mounted shelves or cabinets add storage space without compromising floorspace, and can be easily assembled yourself using long planks of wood and pipe-shelving brackets, both of which should be available from local hardware stores or online. Ground-level storage that can fit under beds and couches is also a great option, with large plastic containers costing very little from online retailers.
TAKE A SEAT
Once you’ve got your desk area sorted out, you’ll need a good desk chair. There are plenty of good options here, and once again gaming rears its head. Gaming chairs are specifically designed for sitting in front of a computer for hours on end, and as such focus
on ergonomic support and cushioning to prevent cramps or joint pain. If you can afford it, Noblechairs offers incredibly high-end computing thrones, in particular the Hero and Icon chairs. Somewhat cheaper but still good are GT Omega’s “racing” chairs, originally designed for racing simulators but equally well-suited for long WFH hours.
A well-lit work environment is another must, both to keep your skin healthy and reduce eye strain from staring at screens. Avoid working when the only source of light is your monitor! Ideally, you’ll have a window to let natural sunlight in during the day; this is always the best option, although remember that during the summer ultraviolet light is still a threat to your skin. It’s also worth opening your window to let some air in, provided the weather outside isn’t frightful.
If you’re working outside of daylight hours, or your workspace doesn’t have great natural lighting, make sure that your artificial lighting is sufficient. Don’t cheap out on bulbs for your existing light fittings, and try to have different levels of illumination—whether that’s dimmer switches or a smaller desk lamp to go with the ceiling light. LED strips are a great, cheap alternative to lightbulbs, and look great when positioned out of sight underneath desks and behind monitors. RGB LED strips let you change up the mood of your work space, and setting it to white-blue helps to alleviate some of the potential sunlight deficiency.
THE LITTLE THINGS
There are plenty of small accessories that can make WFH easier, too. A wireless Qi phone charger on your desk lets you easily pick up and use your phone without having to worry about cables, and cable routing solutions are also worth examining if you’ve got a relatively crowded setup. If you’ve got a lot of plugs, buy surge protectors or risk angering the electrical gods. VESA wall mounts for monitors can be very useful if you use your desk area for written work too, letting you easily shift your display neatly out of the way against the wall.
Lastly, get yourself a house plant (even if you have a garden to tend). While the physical benefits are good, with a decentsized leafy pot plant helping to aerate a room, the mental benefits shouldn’t be underestimated. A house plant is something to look after and nurture, giving you an extra element of routine and something to add some natural color to your living and working space. However, we’re starting to sound a lot like interior designers now, so we’re going to call the home environment advice a day.