Your Home Office - Part Two In Part 1 of this article we discussed how to select office furnishings

 Equipping Your Home Office - Part Two In Part 1 of this article we discussed how to select office furnishings and why making the ideal choices were crucial to your comfort and ability to stay organized.  In Part 2 we'll take a look at your basic home office equipment needs.Inch.  ComputersThe form of computer that is ideal for you depends on the sort of work that you do, and if you spend all of your time at your office at home, or move out on the path to meet clients.  While there are a seemingly endless choice of makes and models, there are essentially only three basic choices.For most home office situations, the desktop computer reigns supreme.

 However, in the event that you are traveling a lot then you can find notebook computers with nearly the same horsepower as the best desktop.  Should you choose a notebook, the consider one that has an available docking station.  This way when you're in your home office, then you may simply use a conventional computer keyboard, mouse, mouse and monitor.Even for those who have a desktop or notebook, you might have room on your life for a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA).  PDAs, such as those from Palm Computing, can be a very valuable personal productivity tool especially in the event that you require real-time access to your appointments, to-do lists, and even telephone numbers.  With the increasing prevalence of wireless online access you can even use your PDA to connect to your home office computer no matter where you're.2.  PrintersYour first decision is what kind of technology to go with --laser or ink jet.  Laser printers use a laser toner cartridge/drum assembly while ink jets accept ink tank cartridges.

  Lasers are generally better to high-volume printing and have higher duty cycles--the manufacturer's rating for the unit's recommended monthly workload.  Lasers also create better-quality black text than most ink jets, although some inkjet models rival low-end lasers.Lasers are also faster than ink jets, but ink jets offer a lower cost model if you will need to publish in color.  Color laser printers are still extremely expensive Jack Herer Cartridge.  Since the prices for laser and ink jets are so low, you could consider buying one of them.One other important item to consider is resolution.  A printer's resolution determines the overall print quality of your documents.  Resolution means the number of dots per inch that appear on the page as a horizontal and vertical measurement such as 600 x 600 dots per inch or dpi.  A 600 x 600 dpi resolution produces adequate quality for most projects. While printers rarely perform to producer's claims, you should still make use of the printer's posted performance specifications as a guideline.  An acceptable speed for personal laser printers is around 6 to 10 pages each week.  There are printers that do double, triple, or even quadruple duty as a fax, copier, and scanner too.  

You ought to consider purchasing one of those models when you might have a need for most this equipment.3.  Internet accessibility Today you have a vast selection of Internet access protocols.  If you get the web just to check your email, and surf the web a little, then you may be able to manage with an inexpensive dialup account.  This type of access generally runs around $9.95 a month and up.When constant, highspeed Internet access is a requirement of the office at home business, then you definitely have to step up to either Digital subscriber lines (DSL), or a cable modem.  Both provide sufficient speed for just about any business that you are likely to go out of a home office.DSL utilizes unused bandwidth on your existing telephone lines to deliver a constant connection, while cable modems use your current cable tv network.  DSL may not be available in your region.  It is dependent upon your telephone company's technology and how far you are from a DSL access point.Cable, alternatively, is available in all but the most remote markets.  Still, if you can not get either, then there is always the prospect of a satellite up link.  

While this was considered extravagant only a few years ago, it's affordable and no more trouble than installing a small dish antenna on your home and registering for the ceremony.4.  TelephonesNo matter how hightech your office at home is, the telephone continues to be the most basic and essential of your business tools.  Available features are in an alltime high and prices are at an all time low.  Almost any home office phone on the market comes equipped with programmable Speed Dial amounts, multiple-line capability, speakerphone operation, conference call capability, and headset jacks. 

 Additionally, your neighborhood phone company offers a wide range of addon services such as called id, voice mail, flat rate longdistance and much more.If your work keeps you up and around your office at home, or when you enjoy to take business calls while out on your patio or while walking on your home, then a cordless phone is a joy to get.  There are a lot of makes and models to choose from that it almost seems as if you want a consultant to assist you in making the right choice.  It isn't necessarily that hard.  Just keep the following in mind:A) Choose the ideal technology 

 Digital phones have greater range than analog phones plus they offer better call privacy through the use of random codes that scramble communications between handset and base unit.Digital Spread Spectrum (DSS) is the best of breed for right now.  The Spread Spectrum technology uses multiple channels and frequency hopping to thoroughly scramble communicate between the handset and base component.  You also get increased range due to decreased electrical interference, plus DSS phones are permitted to use more powerful transmitters.b) FrequencyThe range of your cordless phone also depends upon its assigned radio frequency.  Most home office phones fall into three frequencies.900 MHz: 

This is undoubtedly the worst option.  This frequency is crowded with devices like baby monitors, pagers, and cell phonesand so is subject to maximum interference.  A 900-MHz phone has a range of around 1,500 feet and prices start at $20.2.4 GHz: While once the best choice available, the 2.4-GHz range is overrun with wireless networking, microwaves, and additional apparatus.  A 2.4-GHz phone has a variety of 2,200 feet and pricing starts around $50. Very few devices operate in this spectrum so there is a marked decrease in interference.  A 5.8-GHz phone also features a range of around 2,200 feet and start at approximately $150.C ) Other considerations

Make sure any phone you select has a headset jack, and then invest in a headset.  There is nothing worse than cradling your phone on your shoulder when you consult your files or try to type something on your own keyboard.  A headset frees both hands while you talk.Do not forget to look at your potential phone's battery life too.  Most cordless phones offer at least four hours of talk time and a week of standby.  Make certain the phone uses replaceable battery packs, and that the battery packs are widely available.One final thought.  To Sum up There is a lot more to equipping an efficient home office than first meets the eye.  Hopefully this two-part series gets you going in the ideal direction.  Chances are everything that you purchase for your home office is tax deductible.  Seek advice from your accountant to make sure.

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