hardware that programmers shouldn't be without

unwashed potato! · 8 Dec 2007 at 00:12

well as christmas is coming up and i have given the 5 people buying me loads this year just 2 presents which are cheap, i am thinking of maybe getting them to get me some stuff i could do with to help me doing what i enjoy the most, programming

i am thinking so far an external hard drive as i work at 3 different houses, and/or a usb for school, which if big enoughcould be instead of the hard drive, how big do usb sticks get to now?

i have just sold my second screen but will be reaplcgint that with the profit i made from it so not in need of one of those.

anything you guys can suggest? something you find helps you immensly when working on the pc?

thanks

Sherbs · 8 Dec 2007 at 01:06

4gb USB is pretty standard nowdays.

voodooflux · 8 Dec 2007 at 11:38

hardware that programmers shouldn't be without

A good set of headphones and a reliable coffee machine. And the biggest monitor you can get your hands on.

Sic · 8 Dec 2007 at 11:46

comfy headphones
decent keyboard
decent mouse
huge screen (as many of them as possible)

pendulum666 · 8 Dec 2007 at 11:54

Nice xmas present might be a NAS if you have a use for one? Otherwise there is a nice new keyboard coming out soon from Razor I think, but aimed at gamers. Looks mint tho

unwashed potato! · 8 Dec 2007 at 12:04

thanks guys, didn't think of headphones so thats one to add, will look into them tonight, any suggestions before i do? i know most peopole say to get one that is built for headphones and not the gaming ones.

i got a saitek eclispe keyboard which is great for late night working aswell as my lovely mouse so no real need for any of those.

anything else anyone can suggest? really struggling to find stuff to get this year which is a real bummer as xmas used to just happen so easily

pendulum666 · 8 Dec 2007 at 12:07

Your strugglign to find stuff you would like for xmas?!

Wish I was int hat position. As I say, waht about a nice NAS, Upgrade?

voodooflux · 8 Dec 2007 at 12:14

It's a well known fact that the best programmers also have the best dress sense (ahem) so maybe some geek attire would make a good present?

Teaf · 8 Dec 2007 at 13:30

Is it bad I understood and laughed at that t-shirt?

But as presents, not 100% sure on what you should ask for since everyones coding environment tends to differ, but if I was asking and didn't currently have them all I would be wanting:

1. Comfy / split keyboard (I use MS Ergonomic 4000 - it's brilliant)
2. Domain name + webspace (I code PHP)
3. iPod or Zen (I need to listen to music when I code)
4. 4GB+ USB pen for backups
5. Monitor with the biggest resolution possible
6. Mini fridge
7. Kettle

8. A comfy chair, like a Lazyboy just a 10th the price.
9. Chinese exercise balls

voodooflux · 8 Dec 2007 at 13:37

flibby said:
1. Comfy / split keyboard (I use MS Ergonomic 4000 - it's brilliant)

Ditto, great piece of kit. Thankfully they haven't messed with the arrangement of the PGUP/PGDN cluster on this model, and gone back to the standard layout.