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Which Computer Peripherals Make the Best Investments
Michelle Wilson
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July 22, 2019
If you’ve recently made a desktop PC or laptop purchase, you might want to consider adding peripherals to enhance your home office setup, your gaming rig, or your business workspace. Peripherals, also known as auxiliary devices, boost your computer’s abilities with expanded functions.
For example, maybe your computer doesn’t have quite the sound system you were hoping for but by adding an external speaker, you can amplify your favorite playlist and get the sound quality you want. But it doesn’t end there.
There are so many peripherals you can choose from to connect to other devices, enhance your vision, create better sound, and make tons of other improvements to a standard PC setup. So how do you know which ones are the best way to spend your hard-earned dollars?
Below we’ll delve into the world of peripherals to learn how to take your existing PC from basic to amazing so you can prioritize your budget for the perfect setup for you.
What are computer peripherals?
The basic definition of a computer peripheral is a hardware input or output device that expands the functionality of your PC. They’re known as “peripherals” because they’re not integral to the main functions of the PC, they simply add on features.
What are some common computer peripherals?
There are three kinds of peripherals: input, input/output, and output devices. Some common computer peripherals include keyboards, mice, tablet pens, joysticks, scanners, monitors, speakers, printers, external hard drives, and media card readers. While these are the more common peripherals you’ll see on the market, this isn’t an exhaustive list.
The main takeaway here is that a device is considered a peripheral when it inputs information to the computer, receives output from the computer, or does both. There are also internal peripherals such as a CD-ROM drive or an internal modem.
What are the most useful computer peripherals for computing at home?
As you plan out your home office, you may end up realizing that your PC setup could be improved with a few strategic computer accessories. Whether you have a desktop computer or a laptop, these are some peripherals you may want to incorporate to upgrade your next Netflix binge session or work-from-home day.
1. Speakers
Speakers are one of the most useful peripherals to add to your home office to create a more immersive auditory experience as you work or watch movies on your computer.
Enhance your sound system by adding speakers like the Bose Companion 2 Series III multimedia speaker system to your home workspace. You can enjoy crystal-clear sound for video conferences with remote colleagues or stream your favorite show. It’s the perfect addition to elevate your computing experience whether you’re listening to music, enjoying the dramatic score of a cinematic classic, or editing a video.
Great sound isn’t always the first feature you look for when you’re shopping for PCs, but with an external device like a fine-tuned speaker, you can indulge your audiophile pursuits.
2. Webcam
If you regularly Skype with your loved ones or work team, you may want to consider adding a webcam like the Logitech C920 webcam to your home office. With features like auto-focus and a video resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, you’ll see your friends and family in perfect detail. Say goodbye to screen lag and stuttering with an impressive frame rate of 30 frames per second. Plus, you’ll enjoy total peace of mind with a 3-year warranty should anything go wrong.
Texting and calling aren’t the same as speaking with someone face-to-face, it helps create a personal connection even if you’re worlds away. So, if you want to add an extra element to your home PC, this webcam model is compatible with laptops, CRT (cathode ray tube) monitors, and LCD screens.
3. Wireless keyboard and mouse set
If you use a laptop as your main computing device at home, you are already familiar with the multitude of benefits they offer to the modern user. These machines are incredibly portable and ready to go anywhere you go. Their low-profile design means they slip easily into a backpack or purse for easy travel.
Laptops are also lightweight and make great tools for those who prefer to do their work at their local coffee shop, library, or other places outside of home. Laptops make any place with a WiFi connection a more entertaining or productive experience.
However, one major drawback to laptops is that they often lack a full-sized keyboard and you’re limited to a trackpad for cursor navigation. While that might work for some users, a mouse and regular keyboard might help you get your work done faster without feeling cramped and slowed down using the trackpad alone.
Enter the Logitech MK710 wireless desktop combo. These two devices boast a three-year battery life so you can expect uninterrupted performance whether you’re typing up a document or gearing up for the emotions of a final season of your favorite show.
The set-up is easy and convenient. The only installation required is putting in the small unifying, wireless receiver in your USB port.
If you’re worried about comfort, you can put those fears to bed. The Logitech keyboard features Incurve keys and a cushioned palm rest for ergonomic, natural computing that helps keep your wrist and arms in a neutral position, an essential part of avoiding repetitive strain injuries at work or home.
Have a need for speed? Lightning fast scrolling means you get to where you’re going fast. You can zoom through long documents or use the precise click-to-click scrolling feature to navigate lists, images, and slides.
2.4 GHz wireless connectivity delivers encrypted, secure cordless technology for a dependable connection with almost no lag time. An LCD dashboard tells you the status of your battery so you’ll never be caught unprepared. This keyboard allows you to be an efficient typist, ready for whatever gets thrown your way.
The comforts of home? They can always be improved by tech that keeps you and yours engaged, entertained, and productive.
What are the best pc peripherals for gaming?
If you’re looking to level up your gaming rig, there are tons of auxiliary devices you can add on to your main gaming PC so you can get the most out of your gameplay. Let’s explore a couple of the ways you can add layers of additional fun, quality, and speed to your PC battle station with the right computer peripherals.
4. Gaming keyboard
A gamer is as only as good as his or her skills, but your equipment matters, too. If you’re ready for your precision and accuracy to be matched and complemented by some helpful peripherals, stand by.
Gaming keyboards are essential to your success and if your current keyboard just isn’t up to snuff, it may result in inaccurate shooting and less precise targeting. Up the ante with the HP OMEN Sequencer keyboard, it’s the perfect addition for any serious gamer.
Optical-mechanical Blue switches deliver an insanely fast response time: 0.2 milliseconds. That’s ten times faster than traditional mechanical switches. But besides being fast, it also won’t fizzle out any time soon. This device has a seventy million click lifetime so you know it’ll be reliable and help you stand up to fighting any enemy you take on in your virtual world.
In addition, each individually backlit key can be customized with up to 16.8 million RGB colors in the HP OMEN Command Center. After all, your gaming rig should reflect your personal aesthetic, not a factory-preset.
When you’re gaming, every fraction of a second counts. This keyboard will help you take advantage of those small slices of time so you can rescue the princess, defeat the dragon, or accomplish that side mission with ease.
5. Headphones
As a gamer, superior sound counts for a lot. You need to hear enemies tiptoeing up behind you for a sneak attack or a slight change in the atmospheric music signaling a new challenge or task. HP OMEN headset 800 is a great choice if you want headphones that boast a multi-dimensional sound with a design that doesn’t skimp on comfort.
If you regularly engage in long gaming sessions, you know that comfort becomes a huge priority. With these headphones, you’ll enjoy a lightweight feel so you can power through your game without being distracted or constantly readjusting.
What are the most helpful computer peripherals for business?
As a busy professional, you need the best technology to get you through your workday. You’re only as good as the tools you have to accomplish your task. The best PC peripherals for you depend on the requirements of your job.
For example, if you work in the graphic design industry, you’ll want to focus on accessories that enhance your ability to fine-tune your creative projects. And if you’re an entrepreneur, you may want to add external devices that help keep you focused and productive during your 9 to 5.
Whether you’re an artist, engineer, or another kind of industry professional, there are peripherals available to take your PC beyond its basic constraints so you can enjoy a streamlined workflow.
6. External monitor
If you normally rely on just a business laptop to get through your day, you may want to consider adding an auxiliary device like a second monitor to your work setup. With the HP z22n G2 21.5-inch display, you’ll expand your potential for what you can accomplish whether you’re closing deals or pitching to prospects.
With helpful features like an anti-glare screen, you can work confidently, even in brightly-lit offices. Plus, you have all the management controls you could want to customize your screen to your exact preferences. On-screen controls include brightness, contrast, color control, input control, image control, power, menu, management, language, information, exit, and ok. Plus, you can tilt your display -5 degrees to +22 degrees, swivel ± 45 degrees, and enjoy a pivot rotation of 90 degrees. This means you always get the best view possible without straining your neck or arms to get your work done.
7. Graphics tablet
If you work in the graphic design industry, you can’t underestimate your need for great graphic design tools. The Intuos Pro PTH-451 graphics tablet is your new right-hand (or left-hand) man. It comes with a Wacom grip pen, a pen stand with 10 replacement nibs, and nib removal tool. Plus it includes a 6.6-foot cable, so you’ll have total freedom to work how you like to work without being constrained.
Designed from the bottom to top to help you breathe life into all of your creative projects, this tablet is the perfect solution to sketching ideas or fine-tuning a detailed project. This innovative device combines Wacom’s pen capabilities with multi-touch tablet gestures for an intuitive feel. You’ll enjoy total precision and accuracy so your workflow will never be impeded by inaccurate lines or movements.
8. Presenter mouse
If you need to impress clients or colleagues, it’s important to be prepared for anything. Need to work the room during a presentation? Invest in the HP Elite presenter mouse. This device allows you to run presentations and guide onscreen content with a virtual laser or you can navigate your PC’s apps right from your desk.
Whether you are in the front or the back of the room, you can control your presentation with ease. Never scramble back to your computer to change slides ever again. A range of 30 feet from your Bluetooth-paired PC frees you up to move and speak naturally to engage your audience.
Computer peripherals for home, work, and play
Computer peripherals can help elevate any computing experience. Find yourself distracted by ambient noises in your house during a work-from-home day? Purchase noise-canceling headphones. Need a way to naturally sketch your ideas for a project without the hassle of scanning? Grab a graphics tablet. Want to increase your productivity at work? Maybe it’s time to add a second widescreen monitor to your office so you can multi-task more efficiently.
The right computer accessories allow every kind of computer user from professional to casual to gamer to make the most of their PC setup.
