Ask HN: How would you spend a $2000 technology stipend?

[ytwombly]

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.

[jez]

Depending on what peripherals you already have, something that has been working well for me is using a cheap MacBook Air to ssh into a custom-built desktop PC running Linux under my desk. For work you probably care more about memory and CPU power (vs the PC gamer who cares about a big graphics card). So for $1000 you can get an M1 MacBook Air and with the other $1000 you can buy components for a 12 or 16 core desktop.

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.

[jyu]

Is the Linux box setup similar to your work prod environment? Can you run a GUI code editor like VS Code on Linux and access it via MacBook Air?

[tssva]

Although possible the more common workflow is instead to run VS Code locally on the MacBook Air and use the VS Code Remote SSH extension to edit and run code located on the Linux system.

[jyu]

Thanks, this option seems great while traveling!

[renaissance_tea]

Yes. vscode can be self hosted and accessible over http and run in a Docker container. You can ssh tunnel or port forward it

[yurishimo]

I mean, you probably need a computer. You could use your personal machine for a little bit, but if something happens to it (stolen, damage, etc) good luck convincing your boss to replace it if they are stingy with money.

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.

[Bingaloopa]

If the $2000 is to cover all equipment (and you have non already) then it's fairy low IMO. So you'll need to focus on the essentials first e.g a laptop/desktop

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

[minimaul]

$2000 only buys the absolute base model 14”, so it doesn’t give you much to play with.

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.

[brundolf]

The M1 MacBook Pros are commonly on sale these days. I got a 16" recently for $2099 ($400 off) at Best Buy

[LunarAurora]

If you still need a new computer -> https://frame.work/

Also, upgrading your headphones to the 200-300$ range is worth it if you listen to music while working (Noise Cancelling/Bluetooth)

[spikefromspace]

Chair, proper mount/shelf for monitor height, keyboard, mouse, plants, fidgety things, lighting, speakers . Just a little list of things that helped for me. Microphone setup is nice too but i didnt get many complaints and ran out of my budget.

[nickstinemates]

Investing in all of the comforts in a place I spend >8hrs per day has

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.

[brailsafe]

idk if $2000 would get you a worthwhile MacBook, unless it's yours to keep. If it's yours to keep than definitely spend it to subsidize your own macbook pro, if you don't have a really good chair or really good monitor. If you like coffee, you could use it on an incredibly good grinder.

[pizza]

1) Huge + high refresh-rate monitor with low input latency and deep vibrant colors. Probably something 16:9 or even 16:10 aspect ratio. Maybe even two monitors, and you keep one of them in vertical orientation.

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

[denlekke]

i place a lot of value on computer interfaces, so monitors or stands, headphones and microphones, camera, keyboard and mouse

depending on the limits, chair and desk are also items i've been happy to spend more on

[denlekke]

i've also recently switched to external usb ssds w/ 2,000 MB/s speeds from external hdds and it's been a worthwhile improvement for me

[bell-cot]

Great chair, to be good to your back.

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.)

[unixbotnuke]

If you're just working from home this setup would be great:

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

[TenJack]

Where do you find a $300 M1 Mac Mini?