The working from home thread: tips and advice

In a similar way I've got a monitor that has a built in USB hub and ethernet port and uses a single USB-C cable to the laptop to provide power, video, sound, network and USB.

Be aware though that these things are a little finicky. With my setup for instance the laptop needs to be turned on before I connect it or else the sound doesn't work and if I connect a further USB hub to the monitor hub it works OK when logged on but not for typing my username and password to log on.

Other people have had similar issues with stuff not being recognised, not working on wake from sleep, etc

Cant recommend this monitor enough . Charges up a Macbook and acts as a USB hub for things I leave plugged in (iPhone and Powerlink LAN cable). Half decent spec for the money at 27" 4k etc etc

We bought 80-odd of them for the old office to try and avoid donglegate for the creative department to a fair amount of success.

Pretty much only leave my Macbook open to use the touchID for passwords, and for the webcam.

Pretty sure I had one of them for a bit and it had crazy backlight bleed at the edges of the panel. Would look fine for a few minutes and then get progressively worse to the point of being almost unusable after half an hour. You didn't have any complaints like that I take it?

Ooh nothing to report - we were hot-desking for most of the time so had use of a good handful of them at one time or another. Maybe you had a duff unit.
Took a bit of work to sort out the colour settings through the OS would be my only complaint.

Does anyone have any recommendations for DELL laptop docking stations, Am being forced to use a work laptop so my currently setup isn't going to work. Have been informed it would need to be USB-C.

Are you paying or work?

If work then just go with whatever is on the Dell website. If it's you then I'd just get a generic USB-C hub with the required ports. You can get Anker ones for about £50. I wouldn't go cheaper than that, the bargain ones are a bit iffy.

I have to pay as there is no justification to use a docking station because the laptop has the required ports. Looked at the D6000 which is about nearly £300 which is a but more then I want to pay. Wil check out the Anker website.

I have to pay as there is no justification to use a docking station because the laptop has the required ports.

Does it have a separate monitor? If not, your justification is that spending 8+ hours a day on a laptop is a flagrant breach of HSE's (completely inadequate and outdated) guidance on display screen equipment use.

Does it have a separate monitor? If not, your justification is that spending 8+ hours a day on a laptop is a flagrant breach of HSE's (completely inadequate and outdated) guidance on display screen equipment use.

Potential issue with that, is my old workplace just said if you have additional DSE needs come and work in the office, so wasn't very helpful when trying to avoid going in

additional DSE needs

I'd argue they aren't additional, but minimal. Then again, it's not my argument to have.

The Anker docks should work, no? £35 for a basic one.

I got a Dell WD15 from work which does everything I need it to. Plenty available second hand on ebay with or without power supplies.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255401144628?epid=5051717981&hash=item3b77183134:g:uzEAAOSwEKliFhyB

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234372790102?epid=14035419587&hash=item3691b4f756:g:a2IAAOSw6plh3Zxc

I have used my laptop power supply to power the dock in the past so imagine you could do the same.

Anyone else struggling with wfh since dipping toes back into office? I know enjoying the office is unpopular here but I do, find the commute, the real people etc very stimulating.
Idk if it's impending apocalypse or something else but ending every wfh day very miserable

I think their issue is that I'm a permeant homeworker so therefore its not work/office package.

I find going into the office enjoyable and, even though it's a 50 mile motorbike commute, I enjoy the journey in / out too.

The thing I'm massively struggling with is that the output expectation during the pandemic has exponentially grown to the point that I can't get through all the work with the additional travel time and time taken from people want to engage with me in the office.

I'm only in once a week at the moment and I think any more would cause a collapse in what I can deliver.

They are sill liable for your work environment, insofar is must be safe and compliant.

If your workstation assessment shows you need extra DSE equipment, your employer cannot charge you for this..

Any suggestions for a neater alternative to the paint pot warmly welcomed. The Surface is my second screen and webcam, hence elevating it.

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I like it 🙂

CBS flo/ollin can be set up with a tablet mount. Very nice monitor arm, spendy though.

Maybe Farrow & Ball will improve the ambience?

Back in the office for a few days a week and spending the rest at home.

With @Soul though, finding the balance between work, WFH and having a life difficult at times. The time of year probably doesn't help mind you.

yeah I might go back 1/2 days a week when the clocks go forward and it's lighter with better weather. too hard to pull myself out of bed in the mornings, one hour earlier than I really need to. we're supposed to be in 2-3 days a week from now but I've just been ignoring that call

What about one of these? Surface on one and screen on the other.. I have one that I use with a USB-C dock, so all cables are tidied away..

https://www.amazon.co.uk/1home-Notebook-Monitor-Adjustable-Rotation/dp/B074T9Y6G2/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=2K60KYPCWGJ8J&keywords=laptop+monitor+stand&qid=1646092548&sprefix=laptop+monitor+stand+%2Caps%2C80&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&smid=A1PFW4PC5IFLDF&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEySTFKVTMxTEk0UFdKJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODY1NDIxMzhMUUhGNFUzMTAzMSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMTcwNzc4ODlXTUtUMUcxR0g0JndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

An extremely rare day back in the office tomorrow; a scheduled chance to meet people I’ve been working with remotely for a year or so for the first time. Have been booked in to a remote training session with other people 0900-1300. I hope I left some non-perishable food in my locker—did rescue the jar of pickled herrings before it went further than minor leakage

Thanks all for your input :)
I'm not sure that my £12 Ikea desktop will take the strain of that monitor arm - quite a lot of wait/leverage on quite a small area. If it was solid material, I'd feel a bit more confident. The paint pot fights another day.

If it was solid material, I'd feel a bit more confident

Y'all be wanting one of these then

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08GP11NVS