Ask HN: How would you spend a $2000 technology stipend? I'm a front-end engineer who is curious about how best to capitalize on a job perk. Instead of providing me a computer, my employer just offers a $2000 stipend. I wonder if there are more interesting ideas than simply buying the latest Macbook Pro. |
SSH over LAN (while you’re at hone) is much snappier than you’d expect if your only experience with SSH is to an AWS data center. Slap Tailscale on both machines, and now you can access the home PC from anywhere on the road. Heck, you can even access it from a phone in a pinch with a mobile SSH client.
With this setup you get native macOS and Linux (no docker nor VM required), power, portability, and battery life. It’s not the best solution for everyone but it’s working pretty well for me.
I would probably spend 1500 on a computer the first year, and then maybe a used Herman Miller chair if you can find one. That would be an amazing bang for your buck. Next year, you'll have a lot more wiggle room to play with. Finally, check with your boss about purchasing gift cards with your excess stipend to use next year. If they will let you carry it over then that won't be necessary.
If you already have a decent computer though then think about the other things e.g a nice monitor, comfortable chair, good keyboard/mouse, headset etc
Personally I'd always say focus on comfort and making your work enciornemnt pleasant
If you are expecting to buy a laptop & accessories out of that, you’re going to struggle :/
That said, I always recommend a good external monitor, a comfortable keyboard and mouse/trackball/touchpad, and a good chair.
Also, upgrading your headphones to the 200-300$ range is worth it if you listen to music while working (Noise Cancelling/Bluetooth)
a) made working without them tough
b) all of the difference in the world.
Good chair, good keyboard, good mic/vid/audio, monitor, PC, etc. are vital. If it's a remote job I would seriously consider eschewing a laptop and building a good static spot/"office" with a PC.
I have a DWQHD (i.e. 32:9, the equivalent of 2 1440p monitors side-by-side) but I think it's better suited for gaming than programming, tbh.
2) Good adjustable chair, preferably with high backrest that supports your neck and shoulders.
3) Ergonomic desk setup. Just yesterday I was at a bad desk for an hour and for the first time in ages could feel neck pain! Wow, I thought to myself, I had forgotten all about that.. Sometimes you can find great deals on used standing desks on e.g. NextDoor
4) Good headphones (really partial to my Audio Technica MX50's)
5) iPad with GoodNotes installed + Apple Pencil
6) Small kvm switch, if you have multiple computers
7) usb-c hub
8) huge mousepad + good mouse at a comfortable sensitivity
9) a nice mechanical keyboard that feels good to type on. I personally am convinced that the tactile response helps me to type more fluidly and with less thought.
10) a license to an IDE with great refactoring tools. In other words JetBrains stuff, unless there's another great way to roll it w/ neovim
depending on the limits, chair and desk are also items i've been happy to spend more on
Great monitor(s), to be good to your eyes.
(Unless your computer and/or input devices are pretty marginal, the next priority is your desk.)
4k 28" monitor -- ~250-300 + tax Aeron chair -- say ~300 used or the Costco office chair which IMO is comparale comfort Sit stand desk from Costco -- $300 M1 Mac Mini 16/512