Computer Accessories Shop Dundee

Computer Peripherals to Boost Your Productivity

Your laptop might be the brain of your setup, but it’s the peripherals that make the difference between a cramped, uncomfortable workspace and one that actually helps you get things done. We’ve had customers transform their home offices just by swapping out a few key bits of kit.

Ergonomic Mice and Keyboards

That trackpad on your laptop is fine for checking emails, but if you’re spending hours at your desk, a proper mouse and keyboard can save your wrists and boost your speed. The number of people who come in complaining about wrist pain, only to realise they’ve been hunched over a laptop for months, is surprising.

Wireless mice give you freedom to move about without cable tangles. Check for ones with decent battery life- nothing’s more irritating than your mouse dying halfway through a project. We stock mice with different grip sises because what works for someone with large hands might be torture for someone with smaller ones.

Ergonomic keyboards can be a game-changer if you’re doing a lot of typing. Split keyboards, curved layouts, or just ones with better key spacing can reduce strain. Some people swear by mechanical keyboards for the tactile feedback, though they’re not ideal if you’re working in a shared space- they can be a bit clicky, particularly if the keyboard you’re using has Cherry MX blue switches or a similar rival design.

Gaming keyboards and mice aren’t just for gamers anymore. The precision and responsiveness that gamers demand often translates well to professional work, especially for designers, developers, or anyone who needs exact cursor control. Gaming mice often have adjustable sensitivity settings and extra programmable buttons that can speed up repetitive tasks.

Wireless keyboard and mouse combos are popular because they use one USB receiver for both devices, saving you ports and desk space. Plus, you don’t end up with mismatched kit cluttering your workspace.

The main thing is trying before you buy when possible. What feels comfortable for ten minutes might drive you bonkers after a full day’s work. Pop in and we can show you the options- it’s worth getting it right.

Professional Webcams for Video Calls

The built-in camera on your laptop was probably fine when video calls were occasional, but now that half your meetings happen over Zoom or Teams, you want to look professional, not like you’re broadcasting from a potato. (Nor any other root-vegetable-based webcam.)

HD webcams are the minimum standard now. 1080p resolution makes you look sharp and professional, while 720p cameras can make you look grainy, especially in poor lighting. If you’re doing client calls or presentations, the difference is noticeable.

Webcams with built-in microphones can solve two problems at once. The microphones are usually better than your laptop’s built-in one because they’re closer to your mouth and designed to pick up speech clearly while filtering out background noise.

Auto-focus and light correction features help if your lighting changes throughout the day or you move around during calls. Some webcams adjust automatically to changing conditions, so you don’t look washed out when the sun comes out or shadowy when clouds roll in. (We remember the clipped highlights, crushed shadows, a complete inability to handle contrast and that turquoise colour balance (that made you look ill) with those old VGA webcams and we don’t want to go back).

Privacy shutters are becoming standard because nobody wants to accidentally broadcast themselves to a meeting. Physical shutters give you peace of mind that you’re definitely not on camera when you don’t want to be.

Position matters as much as the camera quality. Getting the webcam at eye level makes a huge difference to how professional you look compared to the up-the-nose angle most laptop cameras give you.

Quality Speakers and Headsets

Laptop speakers are generally abysmal. They’re okay-ish for system sounds and the odd YouTube video, but if you’re listening to music while working or need clear audio for calls, external speakers or headphones make a world of difference.

Desktop speakers don’t have to be massive to sound good. Compact speakers that fit on your desk can provide much clearer sound than laptop speakers. USB-powered ones are convenient because they don’t need separate power adapters cluttering up your sockets.

Bluetooth speakers give you flexibility to move them around or take them to different rooms. Good for background music while working, and you can use them for hands-free phone calls too.

Headsets for calls are different from regular headphones. They’re designed for speech clarity rather than music quality. Noise-cancelling features help if you’re working in a busy household or shared office space. Over-ear headsets are more comfortable for long calls than earbuds.

Gaming headsets and microphones offer professional-grade audio quality that works brilliantly for business calls and content creation. Gaming headsets often have superior microphone quality compared to standard office headsets, and dedicated microphones can make you sound crystal clear on calls or recordings.

Wireless vs wired comes down to convenience versus reliability. Wireless gives you freedom to move around, but wired headsets never run out of battery at inconvenient moments. For important calls, wired can be more reliable.

The key is matching the audio gear to how you actually work. If you’re on calls all day, invest in a good headset. If you prefer background music while working, decent speakers might be better than headphones that make your ears hot after a few hours.

Wireless USB Adapters and Dongles

Modern laptops are getting thinner, which often means fewer ports. USB adapters and dongles bridge the gap between what your laptop has and what you actually need to connect.

USB hubs expand one USB port into multiple ports. Useful if you want to connect a mouse, keyboard, external drive, and webcam all at once! Look for powered hubs if you’re connecting devices that draw power, like external hard drives.

USB-C to USB-A adapters are almost essential if you’ve got a newer laptop with only USB-C ports but older peripherals with USB-A connectors. Small enough to keep in your laptop bag for when you need them.

WiFi adapters can boost your wireless signal or add WiFi capability to older computers. Useful if your laptop’s WiFi is weak or if you need to connect to networks that require different wireless standards.

Bluetooth adapters add Bluetooth to computers that don’t have it built-in, or upgrade older Bluetooth versions to newer, more reliable ones. Handy for connecting wireless mice, keyboards, or headphones to older machines.

The trick with dongles and adapters is getting quality ones that won’t let you down when you need them most. Cheap adapters often have connection issues or stop working after a few months. We stock reliable ones that actually do what they’re supposed to do.