What’s in your desk, Tom Warren?

Tom Warren is a senior editor right here at The Verge who covers “principally something Microsoft, PC, and console gaming.” He lately redid his dwelling workspace and provided to inform us about his new setup; impressed with its practicality and neatness (which is nothing like mine, however let’s cross over that), I instantly took benefit of his provide.

Right here’s a few of what Tom has to say about his new work-at-home atmosphere.

First, inform us a bit about your self.

I’ve a background in IT, which I developed by working at a wide range of funding banks as a mission supervisor for bespoke software program, Home windows machines, and extra. My first correct job was working at a GAME retail retailer within the UK, promoting Xbox and PlayStation bundles throughout Christmas time.

I perceive that you simply lately did a complete redesign of your workspace. What prompted that?

I did, certainly — a complete overhaul! I moved home lately, so it was the right time to do some correct cable administration, get a brand new standing desk, and actually set up every thing. Now I’m happy with my desk, and I’m aiming to maintain it as clear and tidy as you see it within the images.

That’s a cozy-looking area. The place in your house is it?

It’s in a spare room we now have in our home, and there’s a bit little bit of room behind the place I can retailer my devices. I’ve additionally bought a bit bench space the place I can evaluation the most recent CPUs and GPUs.

Inform us about your desk and why you selected it.

It’s the Totally Jarvis hardwood standing desk. I checked out so many desks, however this was the one that actually hit the right mixture of measurement (to suit into the little nook within the room), standing flexibility, and construct high quality. Totally does a bunch of standing desks, and I assumed in regards to the bamboo choice, however contemplating the final time I purchased a desk was greater than 10 years in the past, I assumed I’d stretch to the dearer hardwood high that appears and feels nice.

Inform us about your chair and, once more, why you selected it.

I exploit the Herman Miller Aeron. It’s a dear chair, however I’ve had it for years, and it’s properly price it. It helps my again rather well, and while you’re at a desk all day, it’s essential to have an excellent chair. The Aeron is tremendous widespread in places of work, and I used to make use of one after I labored within the metropolis, so after I began working from dwelling full time, I knew it might be an excellent decide.

Right here’s the massive one. Inform us in regards to the tech you’re utilizing: computer systems, screens, and so on. Be as particular as you possibly can — together with why you selected it and for those who’re pleased with it (or not!).

My PC is a custom-built gaming rig. I’m presently utilizing the Nvidia RTX 4090 inside, however I normally swap out GPUs pretty frequently as I’m all the time testing new PC components for The Verge. I selected this PC case as a result of I actually needed a mixture of black and white in and out. I’m a Star Wars fan, so the stormtrooper look was tremendous interesting.

I’m utilizing three screens in complete. The principle one is a 32-inch Samsung Odyssey G7 curved monitor. It’s 1440p and 240Hz, so it’s ideally suited for PC gaming proper now. I prefer it loads, however the one factor I hate is that it takes some time to come back out of standby.

The 2 portrait screens are Asus ROG Swift PG279Qs — the identical that we named editor’s selection in 2018. These are 27-inch 1440p 165Hz panels. They’re most likely a bit overkill for secondary screens, however I had one initially and upgraded to the Samsung, after which I made a decision to purchase one other secondhand to match the other aspect. I exploit the right-hand one for Twitter (sure, I’m addicted) and the left-hand one for a mix of Slack and Discord.

I really like the monitor setup. How did you determine precisely what you wanted?

My authentic setup a few years in the past was only a single giant monitor, however I discovered including a second one in portrait mode was nice for studying lengthy articles or monitoring my varied Twitter feeds. After that concept and a few upgrades, I’ve settled on this mix. I’m not an enormous fan of ultrawide screens, and I believe my subsequent monitor improve can be a 240Hz OLED and perhaps even 4K decision. I’ll have to attend for GPUs to essentially have the ability to ship 240fps reliably at 4K first, although.

I’ve had a bunch of individuals ask me what the show is beneath my screens or the little button on my desk. The show is a Google Nest Hub. I primarily use it to observe cameras and change up my heating and lights. The little Philips Hue Good Button on my desk controls my mild setup in my room, so I can change the sunshine strip on the desk, the primary mild, and a few mild bars I’ve arrange behind me.

I additionally use a Shure SM7B XLR microphone with Elgato’s Wave XLR interface and a Stream Deck. I stream to Twitch very hardly ever, however this setup is nice for work calls, chatting to pals on Discord, and controlling good gadgets in my dwelling.

You may need seen I’ve two cameras on the high of my monitor. One is for Home windows Hiya to robotically detect my face and log me in, and the opposite is a Sony Alpha a7S II that I exploit for video calls, YouTube movies, and every thing else. A Key Mild retains my face well-lit throughout calls, too.

Nice colours on the keyboard!

Thanks! I’m utilizing the Ducky One 2 TKL with {custom} keycaps. I exploit rubber ones for WASD as a result of I’ve discovered it helps with gripping the all-important motion keys. I’ve to frequently swap them, as I all the time put on out the W key. It’s an opportunity to swap the colours on the WASD each every now and then, although.

I see that you simply put your standing PC in your desk slightly than the ground. Any specific cause?

Primarily for mud functions. I’ve had my PC on the ground earlier than and located that I needed to clear it much more than if it was on my desk. Now that I’m utilizing a standing desk, it additionally helps routing the cables to a tray beneath the desk slightly than having to have a bunch of lengthy cables simply to succeed in the ground.

These are great-looking acoustic tiles.

I primarily added them simply to have one thing handsome behind my setup. I’m unsure in the event that they actually assist the acoustics all that a lot, however my microphone does sound good on this little nook, so perhaps they’re doing one thing!

Are you completed with the redesign, or is there extra to come back?

I’m just about completed. I’ve some storage behind me and a workbench that I’m nonetheless organising and fidgeting with. I actually wish to construct a bit den and cushty space for my canine to sleep in below my desk, as he loves to come back and problem me to throw his ball all day lengthy.

Is there the rest about your workspace that we haven’t coated?

I’m nonetheless constructing the setup behind me that I’ll be utilizing for testing and photographing / filming merchandise. That’s a piece in progress for now, however I’m going with extra of a workshop vibe.

Images by Tom Warren.

Replace January 18th, 2023, 12:01PM ET: Up to date so as to add a sidebar with Tom Warren’s PC specs.