I'm coming to my 5 year work anniversary and work is giving me $500 to spend on something for me. I can't take cash or gift cards, it needs to be something(s) physical. I'm leaning towards a nice mouse/keyboard solely for gaming (I have ergonomic stuff for work that I'm happy with).
Does anyone have any recommendations for this budget?
Alternatively, is there anything else you'd suggest? I work from home but have a nice office chair and ultrawide monitor already.
Thanks in advance.
Work is paying, id be getting a $100 mouse and a $400 custom keyboard.
Headphones or powered speakers?
I would get a 2nd monitor.
Even with a ultra wide?
Already have one! Nice idea though
Hookers and blow?
Although for $500 you’re probably getting a roadside hooker and a bag of epsom salts
The best mouse atm is the Logitech Superlight 2, which can be had at around $180.
The keyboard is subjective, However i am a fan of the Mountain Everest brand, which is modular. You can buy them from PCCG.
GPX2 is not a good mouse. Really outdated and overpriced for what it offers. Better option at this sort of price would be to wait for a Viper V3 Pro to come down in price or one of the many far more niche brands.
I do not agree, the reviews says more than enough, razer is a terrible brand especially for after sale support, i had a couple of bad experiences with them, never buying another one of their products again.
Logitech is insanely behind at the moment. Hero 2 is essentially a Pixart 3366 which is an ancient sensor at this point and absolutely not worth the money. They also refuse to use switches from anyone but OMRON who make ridiculously bad switches. Stock skates or GPX2 are also rubbish for such an expensive mouse. Absolutely not worth anywhere near $200 when you can buy something far better like the VV3Pro, Zowie U2 or one of the many smaller brands like Pulsar or Ninjutso.
@CHUNITHM Luminous: TIL that people obsess about mouses.
I thought that improvements in sensor technology surpassed anything noticeable by humans a decade ago.
@CHUNITHM Luminous: True.
Keyboards I can understand- there's a real noticeable difference between switches, cases, keycap profiles. I've done the whole keyboard thing. But mouses, I've personally never noticed a difference once it's 'good enough'.
Can it be some new WFH clothes??
$500 would buy a lot of Kmart trackies
Smartwatch.
Thanks, it's a good idea but I just got a Samsung Watch6 earlier this year
Headphones with active noise cancelling and a passthrough mode.
Thanks for the idea, but already have an Arctis Nova Pro that I'm pretty happy with
Yeah but headphones for on-the-go though (not gaming)? Ie. Sony XM5s or QC Ultras
Can you keep it simple and ask for a $500 fuel card?
Wfh office chair
Already have a nice Steelcase Leap, no need for something new at this point
wooting keyboard. I don't have one yet but want one.
Could buy things from Jbhifi, show the receipt. Then just return it unopened for cash refund.
Won't JB just say they need the refund to go back to same the method of payment used for the purchase?
Yeah normally. Are work letting you use their credit card for it?
My manager has asked for links, so I think they will purchase them and send them to me
@emblurr: It's a great suggestion though. I always did my best to game anything being offered by my employer. We would all prefer to get paid more than receive length of service trinkets. OP could return any purchase as an unwanted gift, get a store credit, use the credit to purchase gifts for friends and family in the months/years ahead, effectively converting the $500 to cash.
I know you said you already have an ergonomic keyboard, but you could always order a Kinesis and watch their heads explode :)
Big Lego set.
Build it and admire it for a while and resell for close to amount second hand (used to be the case, but second hand prices have fallen with cost of living crisis).
Do you have any hobbies? A guitar to hang on your wall for your zoom background? Neverending conversation starter.
Updated router and/or WiFi ?
$500 of RED jelly beans
Thanks all for the suggestions. I'm still leaning keyboard/mouse, and I see the following would be available for just under $500 (would qualify for free shipping):
https://www.bpctech.com.au/product/rog-azoth-nxbn-asus-rog-a…
https://www.bpctech.com.au/product/rz01-04390200-r3a1-razer-…
Are either a bad option?
Razer has a very variable rep for product reliability. They're also a really scummy company for other reasons as well.
I personally would avoid anything from them.
The keyboard looks decent, if you're more interested in it for the keyboard customisability you can do better with your money but as you said you're only interested in a keyboard for gaming, so yeah, it's a decent option.
Does it has to be under $500? Can it be over and you pay for the difference?
Can you ask to buy from a specific store (because of bargain/sale)?
How about ebike/escooter, robot vacuum, ps/xbox/switch, shoes, 3d printer?
A fully tricked out custom hot swap mechanical keyboard? A popular choice is the 8bitdo famicom theme kb and that will set you back around $120 /$150.
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/841966
The Meta Quest 2 is also pretty cheap and is a good gateway into pc vr gaming.
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/844767