Crack open your desktop PC for a second. No rush, I’ll wait. Are you looking in there? Good. Do you see a Gigabyte motherboard? Okay, now peek under the CPU cooler. I’ll wait again. Okay, see that CPU? If it’s an Intel processor from 8th to 11th generations (2017 to 2021), you might need a new BIOS update… which may or may not exist. Oh dear. Researchers at Binarly and Carnegie Mellon University disclosed four deep firmware issues to Gigabyte back in April, which could allow attackers to bypass Secure Boot on hundreds of Gigabyte motherboard models. These compromised versions of the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI, also sometimes called by the outdated term BIOS) can be used to run code in a pre-boot environment, essentially compromising the computer long before Windows or another operating system boots. According to BleepingComputer, about 240 Gigabyte motherboard models with Intel chipsets use the American Megatrends parts affected by this firmware, plus tons of devices from other manufacturers that aren’t currently disclosed. Gigabyte already patched the issue on some affected motherboards via the June BIOS update. But given the age of these PCs, many of them are out of service, meaning they’re not scheduled to ever get UEFI/BIOS updates to fix the problem. That is… a problem. Gigabyte Gigabyte issued a security bulletin showing which of the affected systems, by chipset, have been patched. About half are past the End Of Life service date, for which Gigabyte recommends that users “Contact the FAE for support.” FAE stands for Field Application Engineer, basically a more technical sort of corporate salesperson who offers highly specialized service after hardware has been bought and installed. If you bought a Gigabyte motherboard at a retail store, or a PC from a system integrator with a Gigabyte motherboard inside, you don’t have a Field Application Engineer. Reading between the lines, Gigabyte is basically saying “buy a new motherboard.” (Or, considering how old some of them are, “buy a new computer.”) Which, to be fair, is pretty much the same message it’s sending to corporate clients, too. Read...

Deako takes a unique approach to smart lighting with its modular system, and now it’s offering a next-generation switch and app that promises to make installation and configuration even easier than before. The appeal of Deako’s system lies in its use of backplates that, once hardwired to your home’s electrical system, allow you to hot-swap one type of Deako lighting control for another—you don’t even need to turn off the power. If you have an on/off switch controlling your ceiling cans, for example, but you’d prefer to be able to dim those lights, you can just yank the switch out of the backplate and pop in a dimmer. Boom! You’re done. Once you’ve installed a Deako backplate in your electrical box, you can plug in–and later hot-swap–any of its smart or simple lighting controls.Deako Deako is celebrating its 10th anniversary by taking the wraps off an all-new smart switch: the Deako Smart Switch Gen2 ($100, pictured at the top of this page) features an integrated, dual-function LED light bar at its base. In Locator mode, the Beacon Light bar emits a soft glow when the lights it controls are turned off, to help you find the switch in a dark environment. Status mode, meanwhile, provides a visual cue to let you know if the controlled lights are on or off. The feature can be programmed in the Deako app. Deako has added a new Magic Linking feature to its app that automatically configures multi-way circuits (lights that are controlled by more than one switch; i.e., 3-way or 4-way). Once the switches are installed and activated, the app automatically configures them to work together without the user needing to have any electrical knowledge—you don’t even need to do any programming. All of the company’s smart devices support both Bluetooth mesh and Wi-Fi, and they’re compatible with DIY smart home ecosystems such as Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Home Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings as well as professionally installed smart home including Alarm.com and Control 4. Deako also offers a collection of “simple” switches and dimmers that offer local manual control. This news story is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best smart dimmers and switches. Read...

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One of the most frustrating things about owning a Windows PC is when it crashes, refuses to boot, or simply doesn’t work. Microsoft is preparing to roll out a technology called “quick machine recovery” for consumers to help solve this, after testing it in an enterprise environment. Microsoft tests various features across different Windows Insider testing channels, before eventually pushing them to your PC. Quick machine recovery comes courtesy of Windows 11 Build 26100.4762, part of the Release Preview Channel. It’s the “closest” channel to the traditional Windows updates, so it’s likely to debut on your PC soon. In fact, this preview gathers several features, many of which you might find useful, including “semantic search” in Settings: the ability to describe a problem and let Settings understand what you’re talking about in terms of natural language. Quick machine recovery, however, sounds like a lifesaver in certain situations. It’s been around since March, but only in this recent build has it been specifically turned on for consumer PCs. If your PC glitches and throws a BSOD, it might boot up in what’s known as the Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE), which gathers up several Windows 8-looking options to get things running, from uninstalling updates to playing with the Windows startup settings. The Windows Recovery Environment, with Quick machine recovery taking over for Startup Repair in the upper left.Microsoft What quick machine recovery does is essentially troubleshoot what’s wrong, without you needing to intervene. If a device enters the Windows RE recovery mode, it tries to ping Microsoft via a network connection. If it can, it then sends recovery information directly to Microsoft itself. (Remember the obscure codes that would accompany a Blue Screen of Death? This removes the need for you to take action, and puts the heavy lifting on Microsoft itself.) Microsoft then analyzes the crash data, identifies any patterns of behavior, and then sends down a patch or fix via Windows Update, according to Microsoft’s support documentation. Microsoft does this in two ways: cloud remediation, where the device connects to Microsoft’s servers, and looks for an update; and auto remediation, where your PC will keep periodically checking for a solution. Auto remediation is off by default on home PCs, which makes sense: An example screenshot of auto remediation below shows that it could be an hour or more before your PC checks again. Until then, you’re essentially sitting on your hands. Auto remediation may take a while, so it’s off by default. Microsoft already has a tool called Startup Repair that quick machine recovery essentially replaces. Startup Repair will remain on your PC, in case your PC can’t connect to the internet. Quick machine recovery can also be turned off, and in that case Startup Repair will be the default option if something goes wrong. (This image may be difficult to read because of its formatting, but here’s how Microsoft describes the recovery process.) The new quick machine recovery process workflow.Microsoft Microsoft describes this feature as part of a “gradual rollout” of features attached to this build, so even if you have this build on your PC, you might not see it right away. Semantic search in Settings draws closer Other features in this new build are more familiar. In January, Microsoft made “semantic search” part of its Dev Channel builds, and locked them to PCs with Qualcomm Snapdragon chips inside. Now, this feature appears to be coming to all Copilot+ PCs, though it’s still restricted to Windows on Snapdragon for now. The new “Mu” language model that this feature is built upon is specifically offloaded to the NPU on a PC, Microsoft said in June. Click to Do is also taking advantage of a Microsoft app that you might not be aware of: Reading Coach, which appears in the Microsoft Store. Right-click a word or phrase, and you can then read the text aloud to Reading Coach and it will offer feedback. A similar Immersive Reader option will actually read the text to you, aloud. You can also “Draft with Copilot,” turning that phrase into a “full draft.” Finally, email addresses can be highlighted and turned into Teams meetings, again via right-click. For some reason, Recall snapshots can now be exported to trusted third-party apps, too, but only in Europe. “When saving snapshots is turned on for the first time, a unique Recall export code appears,” Microsoft says. “This code is required to decrypt exported snapshots and is shown only once during initial setup. Microsoft doesn’t store or recover this code. To export, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Recall & Snapshots > Advanced Settings and authenticate with Windows Hello. Choose to export past snapshots (from the last 7 days, 30 days, or all) or start a continuous export. Third-party apps can access exported snapshots only when both the export code and folder path are provided.” To me, Windows Recall seems increasingly risky with the aggressive policing actions now taking place, and I’ve advised (American) readers to turn off Recall. Quick machine recovery, however, sounds like one of those useful features that hide within Windows, such as Windows Sandbox. The difference here is that you don’t need to know about it, and it will simply offer to help when needed most. Read...

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Mini-PCs have been experiencing a real boom in recent years. No wonder, because these small desktop computers are powerful, space-saving, and flexible. This guide shows what a mini-PC actually is, where its strengths lie, and who can benefit the most from buying one. Also, be sure to check out the PCWorld deals page where we highlight the best deals from around the web on mini-PCs, like the latest stellar deal on a GMKtec M3 Plus mini-PC, and more. In fact, mini-PCs are constantly going on sale for staggeringly low prices, so keep your eyes peeled while shopping and keep checking back with us to see the latest and greatest deals. (If you’re reading this article the day it goes live, we’re also tracking the best Amazon Prime Day mini PC deals.) What is a mini PC? A mini-PC is a fully-fledged computer in a small format. In contrast to laptops, mini-PCs do without a battery and screen, which saves weight on the one hand and makes the small housing possible on the other—many models have a volume of less than one liter. At the same time, flexibility remains high: a monitor, mouse, keyboard, or external drives can be freely selected and easily replaced if necessary. If you like it neat and tidy, mount the mini-PC behind the monitor to save space or integrate it discreetly on the desk. Despite their compact design, modern mini-PCs offer enough power for everyday tasks such as office work, surfing, streaming and even gaming. If you know your way around, you can even build your own mini PC with the right components. Mini-PCs come with some advantages over classic desktop PCs The most obvious advantage of mini-PCs compared to a classic tower PC is their compact dimensions. They take up hardly any space, can be tucked away unobtrusively on the desk or behind the monitor and are still powerful enough for many typical applications. Mini-PCs also have clear advantages when it comes to energy consumption: thanks to the use of energy-saving components, they often only require a fraction of the energy of a large desktop. This not only has a positive effect on the electricity bill, but also reduces heat waste and noise levels. Another plus point: mini-PCs often have a modular design. Although they do not offer the same scope for upgrades as large tower cases, many models allow the SSD, RAM, or WLAN module to be changed. This makes them more flexible in the long term than many laptops. Mini-PCs are also attractively priced with many solid models available for less than $400. However, the best overall package of performance, features, and efficiency is usually offered by mid-range builds which will set you back a bit more. Limitations and disadvantages of mini-PCs A mini-PC is not a laptop replacement because it always needs external peripherals such as a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and possibly speakers or a webcam. So if you’re looking for a device with which you can flexibly transition between the living room, office, and café, you’ll unfortunately need to look elsewhere. There are also limits to their performance. While many mini-PCs can easily cope with office tasks, media playback, or light multitasking, they reach their limits with graphics-intensive applications such as 3D games, video editing, or CAD. Although there are some models with a dedicated graphics card, these are usually significantly more expensive and often cannot keep up with classic gaming or workstation PCs in terms of performance. Last but not least, there are also thermal aspects to consider. Compact housings mean smaller fans and less air circulation—which can lead to heat problems and performance-reducing throttling under continuous load. Although many mini-PCs are surprisingly quiet, some models use an audible fan during intensive use to keep the heat in check. What are the best use-cases for mini-PCs? Mini PCs show their strengths wherever space, energy efficiency, and a tidy desk are required. In the home environment, they are usually used as office computers, streaming stations, or compact gaming alternatives for simple games. While they may lack the portable utility of a laptop and the power capabilities of a full-size desktop, they shine when you need something in-between—small enough to save precious desktop space, but powerful enough to do all but the most intensive tasks. Tip: If you want to set up a small workstation for your desk, you can operate a mini-PC with several monitors and use common office software such as Microsoft Office or Google Workspace without any problems. The performance of many mini-PCs is easily sufficient for casual gaming or less computing-intensive games.GMKtek What you should look out for when buying a mini-PC Not all Mini PCs are the same. Depending on the intended use, you should pay specific attention to certain technical features, otherwise you could end up with frustration instead of flexibility: 1. Processor (CPU):The heart of the system determines its performance. An Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 is usually sufficient for office, web, and streaming. If you frequently edit photos or tackle light video editing projects, you should opt for a Core i5/Ryzen 5 or higher. Pay attention to the specified TDP (Thermal Design Power): Models with a higher wattage deliver more power, but generate more heat waste and require more active cooling. Variants with less than 35 watts are particularly quiet and efficient, but generally offer slightly less computing power. 2. Working memory (RAM):8 GB RAM is sufficient for basic applications, more is recommended for multitasking or memory-intensive programs. Ideally, the RAM in the mini-PC is replaceable or expandable—taking the time to look at the technical data or check out tests will help here. 3. Memory:An SSD ensures fast loading times and smooth processes. 256 GB is considered an entry-level size, 512 GB or more is better—especially if you want to locally store a lot of programs or media files. Some mini-PCs also offer space for a second SSD or a 2.5-inch HDD. Read...

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At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Attractive industrial design Rechargeable battery Excellent keypad/fingerprint reader add-on Reasonably priced Cons Extremely loud during operation App runs very slowly Subscription required for Wi-Fi connectivity Our Verdict This petite retrofit smart lock is a discreet choice for just about any environment, though it’s incredibly loud and its app drags. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Nuki Smart Lock Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices Nuki has been producing smart locks for Europeans since 2015 and is only now entering the U.S. market. With 10 years of development under its belt, Nuki has reached a level of sophistication that few competitors can boast of—and stateside homeowners get to skip the awkward growing pain years that mar so many early-generation smart home products. The U.S. release of the Nuki Smart Lock is the fifth generation of the product, and it has evolved considerably from its initial design, which had a large battery pack fused to its underside. It now looks like a shrunken version of the now-classic August Smart Lock. Like the August, the Nuki is a retrofit lock that replaces only the interior escutcheon on your door, leaving the exterior as is. As such, it carries no ANSI or BHMA ratings, which aren’t issued for retrofit locks. The Nuki Smart Lock replaces your existing deadbolt’s interior escutcheon; noting else about your lock changes–except that you’ll now be able to open it with an app or with the keypad accessory if you add that to your purchase. Nuki Also like the August, the lock is designed as a cylinder that turns in its entirety to lock and unlock the deadbolt, although measuring just 2.25 inches across, small hands will find it much easier to grip compared to the rather thick August. Anyone shopping for a retrofit smart lock is likely to also consider the Level Bolt, which is even less visually obtrusive than the Nuki Smart Lock. I’d say the biggest advantage the Nuki offers over both August’s and Level’s offerings is its rechargeable battery. More on that in a bit. The Nuki Smart Lock works exactly as you’d expect: Just rotate the lock one way or the other to engage or disengage the lock, as you would with a regular thumbturn. Installation and setup Installation proceeds much like any other smart lock, although Nuki does not include printed instructions with its packaging. Rather, you only get a QR code printed on a slip of cardboard—and because I reviewed this lock before the Nuki officially launched, scanning it took me only to the home page of Nuki’s website. I presume future users will have a more elegant experience, but in any case, I find smart locks to be much easier to set up when you have printed installation instructions, regardless of how sophisticated the app is. Nuki’s app is well designed and easy to use.Christopher Null/Foundry The Nuki app at least does a passable job at walking you through setup. That, combined with years of experience reviewing similar products, I was able to get the lock mounted on the door without much trouble. The process includes attaching an adjustable frame to the door, then using your existing lock’s bolts to connect through your current deadbolt and into the exterior escutcheon. (Unlike some other lock producers, Nuki doesn’t provide the extra bolts that I always appreciate having on hand.) Next, you choose one of three included adapters to slip into this frame and attach to the lock’s tailpiece, depending on its shape, and then you just clip the Nuki lock directly into the frame, with no extra hardware required. There are a few extra pieces in the box whose function I wasn’t entirely sure of (again, no manual), but they appear to be designed for use with locks that have longer than standard tailpieces. The good news is that, presuming you have a standard door and lock, the entire affair goes together with just two screws. A rechargeable battery The Nuki Smart Lock has a rechargeable battery, so you won’t want to misplace the proprietary USB-C cable you’ll need for that purpose.Christopher Null/Foundry The Nuki lock is a sealed device with a rechargeable battery inside. Nuki says the battery should offer up to 12 months of life before it needs a refill via a magnetic cable with a USB-C plug on the other end. Just clip the cable to the charging point on the underside of the lock, connect the other end to a power source, and it’s off and running. The lock can be charged while on the door if you have power nearby (which allows the lock to continue operating), or popped off via a concealed button and charged elsewhere. Note that the charging cable is only about 6.5 feet long, and no A/C adapter is included. While the convenience of the magnetic charger is nice, I’d have been happier with a standard USB-C port, which would allow me to use my own (longer) cable—I’d also worry less about misplacing Nuki’s. Using the Nuki Smart Lock Nuki Physically, the lock works exactly as you’d expect: Just rotate the lock one way or the other to engage or disengage the lock, as you would with a regular thumbturn. (A calibration mechanism during setup automatically orients the rotation direction.) There’s also an illuminated button on the face of the lock that can be pressed to initiate a lock or unlock sequence without needing to twist the lock itself. Tapping the button gently causes a ring around it to illuminate: A solid circle means the lock is engaged; a U-shaped design means the lock is open. (When the door is unlocked, an LED flashes periodically as a gentle reminder; when the door is locked, all lights remain off.) Nuki’s app is a little convoluted but reasonably easy to master, starting with a walkthrough that connects the lock to both Bluetooth and your 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network. A (lengthy) checklist system then steps you some basic settings before throwing you into the management system. By default, you can either swipe left or right on the app’s home screen to lock or unlock the door, or tap once to access the ability to lock or unlock with a second tap. This LED light ring illuminates to inform you of the lock’s status: A solid ring indicates a locked state, while a half-circle means it’s unlocked.Christopher Null/Foundry The settings menu gives you deep-dive access into advanced features such as fine-grained control over how the button on the lock face works, a night mode that automatically locks the door at night, an auto-unlocking or auto-locking scheduling system, and an automatic lock timer that re-locks the door after it’s unlocked (settable from 30 seconds to 30 minutes). I didn’t have trouble with any of these modes. A geofencing auto-unlocking system is also available, which was mostly effective at registering my arrivals during my testing. Note that through all of this you will be faced with a barrage of come-ons for Nuki Premium, a subscription service whose purpose might not immediately be apparent. Turns out Nuki Premium ($5.90 per month month) is required if you want to use any of the lock’s features over Wi-Fi and to receive real-time activity alerts. Plot twist: This plan is free for life if you buy the lock and enroll in the program prior no later than September 30, 2025. Add-on devices We tested the $159 Nuki Smart Lock with its fingerprint-reader keypad, a $149 option. You can purchase both items as a bundle for $229–a substantial discount over buying the two devices a la carte.Christopher Null/Foundry The Nuki lock offers several add-on peripherals: an external numeric keypad ($59), a keypad/fingerprint reader combo ($149), and a door sensor ($59). I received the keypad/fingerprint reader with my test lock; it’s available as a bundle with the lock for $229. I found the slim keypad to be elegant and effective, with buttons that emit a reassuring click when pressed along with a reliable fingerprint reader. The six LEDs across the top are especially handy, as they illuminate, one by one, when you enter a PIN, so you know for sure that your digits were successfully entered. Oddly, all PINs must be precisely six digits long. User management is a little haphazard, as permissions must be set per device—lock or keypad—separately. With the lock, you can share app-based access (which can be time restricted based on hours of the day and day of the week), which creates a QR code that you send along via other means. With the keypad, access can be configured with a PIN or both PIN and fingerprint (but not just fingerprint), and this access can also be similarly time-restricted. Up to 200 PINs are allowed, but only 20 fingerprints. There is no option to create one-time access codes. If you don’t like the Nuki app, note that the lock also supports Matter over Thread, and I was easily able to connect it to an Apple Home ecosystem. As with most smart locks controlled over Matter, all you can really do is lock and unlock the door (as well as receive iOS notifications about those changes), but this is nonetheless a convenient option if you don’t want to dig into the Nuki app just to open the door. Considering the Nuki app is often quite slow, having this available, at least as an option, is a good idea. This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best smart locks. Should you buy the Nuki Smart Lock? My only major issue with the Nuki lock is how loud it is. When I first heard it in action, I thought there was something wrong with it; but no, that’s just how the motor sounds: a lot like an old-school dot matrix printer. If you’re not expecting it, the abrupt, grinding noise can even make you jump a bit. At $159 (for the lock alone), Nuki is competitive in price with August’s flagship lock and most other retrofit locks, but it’s much less expensive than the Level Bolt with Bluetooth + Matter ($229, plus $59 for a numeric keypad). Like that lock, the Nuki’s petite, inobtrusive presentation makes it an appealing choice for homeowners with a strong sense of aesthetics. That said, there’s room for improvement with the scattered and ploddingly slow app—and something must be done about the noisy motor. Read...

I’m a standing desk evangelist. Ask anyone in my life who’s a desk worker and they’ll tell you that I’ve badgered them about switching. Whether it’s expensive or affordable, it doesn’t matter—just get one! But I wasn’t always like this. When I first tried standing desks over a decade ago, I didn’t approve. My feet ached, my setup was suboptimal, I didn’t feel the benefits, and it was a hell of a lot more work than just putting my feet up while I tapped away at my PC. But now? I’d never go back. Here are the top reasons why I went from standing desk skeptic to standing desk convert. It helps my back pain and posture This is the original and still best reason I have for using a standing desk. In the past, I wrote about my favorite desk accessories for back pain and posture issues. After years of poor posture, too much smartphone use, and a sedentary combination of desk work and PC gaming, I found myself with recurring pinched nerves and distracting back pain. Switching to a standing desk was the first step to reversing that dangerous debilitating trend, and though it still isn’t perfect today, it’s much better than it was. I attribute that to my standing desk. Just searching for home office work posture images gives me PTSD. This woman’s back is going to be ruined inside six months.Standsome Worklifestyle / Unsplash Today, I spend most of my days standing, not sitting. I stand to work, I stand to game, and though I have a few seated sessions throughout the day to rest, it’s only for a short while—and then I’m back up again. Standing keeps me more upright. Plus, I can better control my desk environment so that my monitor is at the right height and my wrists are held at a neutral angle while typing. It keeps me moving, too. I don’t just sit still, slowly caving forward as I grow tired. I’m able to dance, to pace, to rock from foot to foot, or even do some flamingo legging. All of this helps prevent me from getting stuck in one bad position that slowly cements into my default. Back pain will always be something I have to contend with due to the nature of my work and choice of hobbies, but with a standing desk I have a much better chance of staving off the worst of it. It encourages me to move around more With a standing desk, I’m not just passively burning more calories than I would if I were sitting down—I’m free to move around as much as I want, whenever I want, not confined to a chair. I take full advantage of that. I’m a compulsive desk fidgeter, so when I’m standing I can more readily tap my feet, bounce from foot to foot, dance if the right tunes are playing, balance at funny angles on my foot rocker, and do full-blown exercises. When I’m proof reading, I’ll often do a small weighted exercise with some tiny dumbbells, or lower the standing desk so the monitor stays in my eyeline as I do some squats or lunges. TheStandingDesk / Unsplash Everything I’ve read suggests that regular movement is one of the best ways to thwart the circulation issues that can arise from sedentary office jobs, so I’m going to keep standing and keep moving as best as I can. Far more than I could do if seated all day. It keeps my PC at a distance When I built my first PC at 15, I wanted the biggest, baddest, fastest, and gaudiest system possible. I fitted a Thermaltake Armor with an early AMD Athlon 64+ CPU, a DFI LanParty motherboard, and the best GPU I could afford: an Nvidia GTX 6600. I also fitted it with a massive cooler with heaps of fans and some gaudy blue LEDs. I had that monster on my desk right by my face for years and somehow never noticed how loud it was. Today, that seems like the absolute worst idea possible. Thank goodness for aging gracefully. My ideas of what constitutes a great PC have, too. While I still have powerful hardware in my main office/gaming machine, I’m also more cognizant of its noise levels. I don’t want to hear from it unless there’s a problem. The PC is in a swanky Fractal Design North case, yet I don’t even really want to look at it. Just let me work and game and don’t cause any problems, thank you very much. PCs should neither be seen nor heard.Jon Martindale / Foundry And that’s something else the standing desk helps with. Short of putting my PC in another room, it’s about as far from me as I can manage in my humble home office. It’s under the desk, tucked in a corner, and I don’t see it (or even remember it exists) while I’m standing. This extra distance helps reduce PC noise levels. I’m a big fan of quiet and silent PCs, so I have all the fans and pump turned low… and when idling or writing, it’s basically inaudible. *Chef’s kiss* It let me game when I had a baby This win for standing desks is no longer relevant for me, but it’s a win I’ll always celebrate because it let me have some me time while navigating dadhood for the second time with a troubled sleeper. I won’t bore you with the details, but my daughter didn’t sleep well until she was 4 years old. Between the ages of 6 months to 18 months, I rocked her to sleep in the carrier every night so my poor wife could get a break from breastfeeding. Fortunately, it ended up letting me get some time for me, and even for us. Jon Martindale / Foundry Already a practiced standing gamer, it meant I could enjoy my new love at the time (Valheim, not my daughter) for hours while she happily slept against me. My wife even played on the laptop in the other room, so while we were passing ships in the wind otherwise, we were able to venture around a fantasy world and build the Viking homestead of our dreams, all while escaping the torment of a screaming toddler. I genuinely credit this niche benefit with saving my sanity and helping my marriage to no end, and it’s something for which I’ll always be grateful to my faithful standing desk. It makes celebrating wins more fun What do you do when you win an online match or defeat that epic boss? Punch the air? Shout “Let’s go!”? Do a little victory dance? I know I do! And that’s so much more fun when you’re standing up. It’s hard to celebrate when you’re plopped in a chair. But standing? Have at it! Ella Don / Unsplash I even enjoy more pre-emptive celebrations while standing. When playing board games via Tabletop Simulator, if I manage a particularly impressive turn of dice rolls and strategic decisions, or realize my friend is about to fall into a trap I’ve carefully planned, there’s nothing quite like some fist pumping to double down on my enjoyment of the win. It makes voice and video calls better I’m not a fan of video calls. (It’s an eye contact thing.) But if we’re going to do it, I’d rather be standing. It helps keep the air moving around me so my profuse social-sweating isn’t so obvious. And since I’m standing, I feel like my oracy skills are improved. I can speak that much more clearly, with less of my usual tendency to mumble or stutter. visuals / Unsplash I’d have to ask my editors whether they notice a difference, but I definitely feel more confident standing. It keeps my hands off-camera, too, so I can more readily fiddle with a fidget toy out of sight. I finally get the standing desk hype Standing is just a way of life for me at this point. Until I come up against some potentially severe negative health effects of standing desks—maybe circulatory issues, blood clots, varicose veins, etc.—I’m going to keep at it. It feels better, it mitigates my worst habits, and it helps me focus better. It even makes my small office feel a bit bigger, too. Sure, the upfront cost is a little high, so I don’t want to handwave the privilege on this one. But I started out with cardboard boxes under my keyboard, mouse, and monitor to ape the more expensive options. It’s doable on a budget, and I recommend it for anyone who spends more than a few hours sitting at a desk every day. Come dance like an idiot with me while we work. I think you’ll like it. Further reading: The best remote work accessories for your home office Read...

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