Latest news with #homeoffice
Forbes
3 days ago
- General
- Forbes
Costway Portable Air Conditioner Review: Strong Cooling For Small Rooms
Compact portable air conditioners can be hit or miss. Sure, they're easy to move around, but too often they end up feeling more like glorified fans, leaving you wondering: Are portable air conditioners worth it? During our recent testing for this Costway Portable Air Conditioner review, it surprised us: It's small enough to easily wheel from room to room, but also strong enough to noticeably cool the area, especially up close. Unlike other compact models we've tested, it didn't fade into just circulating warm air around the room, and the cooling breeze stays consistently strong within several feet of the unit. After testing a range of the best portable air conditioners, the Costway Portable Air Conditioner was the clear winner for small spaces. It's especially good if you want direct air conditioning—think a home office, dorm room or small bedroom—rather than trying to cool your entire apartment. It's not whisper-quiet, but the noise isn't distracting either, and setup was mostly painless (though we did have to get creative with the window inserts). And while this model doesn't have smart features, we didn't really miss them; the basic functions and included remote were easy to operate on their own. Below, in our Costway Portable Air Conditioner review, we share exactly how it performed, including how well it cooled, what we thought of the controls and whether this unit is worth the trade-offs that come with its smaller size. BTU: 10,000 | Coverage: Up to 350 square feet | Noise: 57 to 62 dB | Weight: 45 pounds | Extras: Dehumidifier mode, fan mode, remote control Best for: Skip if: This Costway model doesn't cool down a huge space, but during our testing it noticeably cooled the area right around it. At about 10 feet from the unit, our thermometer recorded a measurable temperature drop compared to the rest of the room. And at just three feet away, we felt a steady flow of cool air that would be ideal for sitting at a desk or relaxing on a couch nearby. Unlike some compact units we've tested, the Costway actually lowered the temperature within its immediate range—just keep in mind that its cooling ability fades as you move farther away. If your goal is to quickly cool a large living room or an open-plan space, you're better off with a bigger and more powerful model like the Midea Duo. But for targeted cooling, especially if you're sitting close to the unit, this smaller model works well. Like most portable air conditioners in this price range, the Costway isn't silent. During testing, we found it produced about as much noise as a standard window AC unit—a steady hum that was noticeable but not distracting. On the plus side, the noise was consistent—there were no sudden spikes, rattling or changes in tone that could be jarring. This Costway model has only two fan speeds, high and low, but we noticed a clear difference in noise levels between the two. Switching to the lower fan speed reduced the sound significantly, so it would be easier to have conversations or watch TV without turning the volume up. Still, even on low, don't expect this model to run quietly enough for extremely sensitive sleepers. If you're particularly bothered by white noise, you might prefer a quieter (though likely pricier) alternative. But overall, we found its noise level reasonable, given its compact size and cooling ability. Getting the Costway up and running was quick. The unit itself is compact, lightweight and took us only a few minutes to unpack, roll into position and attach the exhaust hose. The window installation kit, however, was another story. The provided inserts were clearly designed for vertical sliding windows (ones that move side-to-side), so we had some trouble adapting it to our horizontally sliding window. One insert wasn't wide enough, and two inserts together were too wide. We ended up needing to saw down an insert manually, since the plastic was too sturdy for scissors. As for the controls, the Costway comes with a basic remote that lets you easily adjust the temperature, fan speed and modes from across the room. There's no companion app or smart-home integration, but we didn't particularly miss those features. It's also worth noting that the unit's buttons are touch-sensitive rather than push-to-press; initially, we kept pressing harder and thought the unit wasn't responding, but it worked fine once we realized it required only a gentle tap. There's a Sleep mode as well, which dims the LED display but doesn't fully turn it off, so keep in mind that you can still see some glow at night. After testing the Costway Portable Air Conditioner, we think it's a great pick if you mostly need cooling for a small space or want air blowing directly on you. It doesn't make a major difference in an entire apartment or even a large room, but if you're sitting near it, like at a desk, in bed or on a couch, it definitely makes a difference. The noise is noticeable but steady, and we didn't find it too distracting. It doesn't have any smart features, but the remote was enough to cover everything we wanted the AC to do. Our main issue was the window installation kit, which needed some modification. But once we handled that setup, moving the Costway around was easy, and the cooling was consistent each time we turned it on. If you're short on space or just looking for a basic, budget-friendly air conditioner, this unit does exactly what it needs to do.
CNET
3 days ago
- Business
- CNET
Amazon Deals of the Day: Don't Miss a Record Low on the Latest M4 Mac Mini
Amazon sells tons of products, with new ones arriving daily. The retail giant carries everything from home essentials to tech gear and wellness items. As much as it loves adding new products, Amazon also loves cutting prices. Deciding which deals are worth grabbing (and which aren't) is a full-time job -- our job, specifically. That's why we scope out the top deals for you. Today, we spotted the Apple M4 Mac Mini down to a record-low price, saving you over $100. We also found the Baseus laptop power bank for more than half off, plus you'll get a cool freebie too. And finally for the Harry Potter fans, the Hagrid's Hut Lego set is down to a new low price, saving you $15. The M4 Mac Mini is a tiny yet powerful desktop. It's made with an ultracompact design but doesn't compromise on the strong performance. It is also equipped with an ample amount of ports and even supports up to three displays. It's great for everyone, from those looking for a simple home office computer to those who are using high-powered creative tools. It comes with Apple's coveted M4 chip along with 10‑core CPU and 10‑core GPU. You get 16GB of unified memory and 256GB of SSD. It also uses Apple's AI features, too. And for the environmentally conscious, this M4 Mac Mini is the first carbon neutral Mac. It normally retails for $599 but right now you can score one for $489, saving you $110 off the sticker price. This is also a new record low. Oftentimes when we're away from home, we use portable power banks to keep our devices powered up. This usually works for small devices like cell phones, headphones and some tablets. But to keep a laptop powered, you'll need something with a little more juice than your average power bank. The Baseus laptop power bank has a 20,000mAh capacity. This means it can charge even a MacBook Pro 16. It has an LED display that shows you the remaining battery level, charging power and charging/recharging time. It's compatible with MacBooks, Dells, iPads, AirPods and more. And with multiple ports, you can charge up to four devices at once. Right now, you can score $70 off the normal price of $130, bringing your cost down to $60. But that's not all. When you purchase this laptop power bank, you can score the Baseus Picogo ultra slim power bank for free. This is a $35 value which bumps your savings up to $105. Simply add both items to your cart and the discount will automatically apply. Calling all Harry Potter fans. The Hagrid's Hut Lego set comes with seven Lego Harry Potter characters. This includes Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Draco Malfoy, Rubeus Hagrid mini figures, and Lego figures of Norbert the dragon and Hagrid's dog, Fang. It also comes with two of the 14 random Hogwarts collectible portraits. It's made for ages eight and up, meaning the whole family can enjoy building the hut. It has 896 pieces. Plus, the hut can open up and the roof can lift up, creating space for open play. Normally, $75, this Lego set is down to $60 right now, a record-low price. With so many deals on Amazon, deciding which ones are worth your money can be difficult. But CNET combs through what the world's largest online retailer has to offer and gathers the best deals for you.
Health Line
4 days ago
- General
- Health Line
9 Essentials for a Home Office Space That Puts You in the Working Mood
Key takeaways If you work from home, creating a dedicated work space is a must. Don't just gut it out from your couch or kitchen table. Moderately priced buys like a foot rest, greenery, and natural light go a long way. We're team standing desk and share our favorite pick below. Working from home is a whole vibe. I confess, for better or worse, I'm a proud millennial, 'I just wanna work in leggings and set my own hours,' pre-pandemic remote work aficanado. Stereotypes aside, there is an art to working so close to so many distractions — laundry, dishes, 'Friends' reruns, pieces of mail that each represent one more thing on my personal to-do list. I first started working from home in 2016, and 9 years later, I rarely actually wear leggings all day. I have come to appreciate a series of other essentials that have helped me create space to work where I also live and play. Here's what I've learned.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Inside the lavish world of multi-million-dollar superyachts... and why the ultra-rich's secret island sanctuary could soon be in peril
Decked out with more marble than an Italian palace, enough staff for a CEO to call it their home office, and price tags that would make anyone who isn't a multibillionaire choke on their caviar, the superyacht lifestyle of the elite seems to be a world away. But even in the luxurious fantasy land of the ultrarich, it's not all smooth sailing.
Forbes
5 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
How To Build A Small Home Office To Run Your Small Business
Is it time for you to create a small office home office, or SOHO? Cramming yourself into the end of your living room isn't cutting it anymore. Let's be honest—it probably stopped cutting it months ago, but you've been pretending otherwise. I get it. I did the same thing. In the early days of my business, I told myself the dining room table was "flexible" and "charming." Spoiler alert: It was neither. And it was certainly not a small office home office, or SOHO. Three months in, I was piling mounds of business papers into a laundry basket every time someone came over. My back hurt from that sad excuse for a chair (seriously, who designs dining chairs to feel like medieval torture devices?). And the background of my Zoom calls? Pure chaos: kiddie table, cartoons, cracker crumbs, and the inevitable cries. I feel you if you're a mom with young kids and a small business. However, most small business owners—even those without wildness swirling around them—eventually hit this wall. We outgrow the makeshift setup. That's when it's time to create a real SOHO setup. Here's the good news: Creating a SOHO doesn't mean you need a spare wing of your house or a startup-size budget. It just takes intention, a few smart decisions, and a little courage and conviction to admit your business deserves a real space. Danny Crouch pets his dog as he sits in his basement working from home in Arlington, Virginia, on ... More May 25, 2023. The pandemic forced Americans to work from home. And now, more than three years on, employers are struggling to bring them back to the office. A third of employees in the US currently have complete freedom about where they work, compared with just 18 percent in France, according to a recent ADP study of 17 countries. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images) As I mentioned, SOHO stands for small office home office. Sounds like a fancy tongue twister, but really? It's just a dedicated spot in your home where work gets done. Not your bed. Not your recliner. (Okay, guilty—I still work in my recliner sometimes.) But ideally, your small home office is a dedicated space set up for focus, client calls, and getting stuff done. Think of it as a comfy middle ground between the couch and a co-working lease. You can still wear pajama pants, but you also look and feel legit on Zoom calls—at least from the waist up. Whether you're an entrepreneur, freelancer, consultant, or remote worker, a small office home office gives your business room to grow. It's about signaling—to yourself and others—that your work matters. Even if your workspace used to be a junk closet. This small office home office is for a freelancer. Notice the woden desk with shelf and books. The ... More window with blank wall for hanging artwork and inspiration. Also notice the plants and lighting, all adding to a lovely SOHO. Here's something nobody tells you about starting a small business: Your brain needs boundaries. When I used to work in my kids' playroom (don't judge), I never knew if I was "on the clock" or "off." I'd be deep into writing a success story when suddenly Steve from Blue's Clues would break my revery to blare: "Here's the mail, it never fails, it makes me want to wag my tail…." NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 25: (L-R) Steve Burns, Joshua Dela Cruz and Donovan Patton ride the ... More Blues Clues float 95 And Marching On! Macy's Parade® Thanksgiving Day ushers in the Holiday Season on November 25, 2021 in New York City. (Photo byfor Macy's Inc.) Then I moved into the spare bedroom. Just walking through the door flipped a switch. My home small office didn't just give me privacy. It gave me clarity. That setup wasn't glamorous. I started with a folding table, a cheap bookshelf, a desktop computer, and a two-line phone from Staples. I even bought one of those chunky Rolodexes, because I was sure I'd need to track so many contacts. Laughable now. But at the time? It felt revolutionary. And I felt important. But having a home small office meant fewer distractions, clearer thinking, and more confidence. And let's be real: nothing says "serious business owner" like a Zoom background that doesn't feature Barbie and Blues Clues stuffed animals. This SOHO looks fresh, bright, and inviting. It might need a little space for storage though, unless ... More it's off to stage right or left. Let's talk about what actually matters in a small office space—not what the catalogs try to sell you. Want to go the extra mile? Add visual proof of your credibility: a certificate, a sleek bookshelf, a subtle room divider with some flair. I strung lights over mine for an instant 'creative' ambiance. Consultants, freelancers, service providers... all are perfect candidates for a small office home ... More office. Still calling your business a "side hustle" after two years and $50K in revenue? You might need a reality check. And a small office. Freelancers, consultants, remote employees, e-commerce sellers, service pros—basically anyone spending 20+ hours a week working at home? You need a small office home office. Client calls deserve quiet. Orders need packing. Projects need space to breathe. Your business isn't an afterthought, and your workspace shouldn't be either. True story: I once ran an eBay shop selling vintage ephemera—like postcards and maps—and vintage books. Postcards and maps were easy to store. But the books? And the boxes? They took over. Wish I'd planned for storage before the shipping boxes buried the loveseat. Your small office home office should be comfortable yet professional. It should say, "This is me!" ... More without you saying a word. Here's how to set up a small office home office without losing your mind or your money. A functional small office home office should be decidedly you. Your small office home office can be as creative as you are! When thinking about organization, keep in mind that your office isn't a showroom. It's a workspace. So your organizing systems need to work for you. I've tried them all: color-coded folders, elaborate trays, fancy software. Half of it made me feel like I was playing office instead of running one. What's stuck: Trello, Slack, and Google Drive. Simple. Scalable. Sanity-saving. Your small office home office done right will be a constant source of joy Your office says something about your business. Even if you never say a word. A tidy backdrop says "professional." A mountain of laundry? Not so much. Fair or not, people judge. And that background on Zoom? It speaks. You don't need a $5K redesign or a Pinterest-perfect nook. But you do need a dedicated space that tells the world—and yourself—this business matters. Because when your small office home office setup is built with intention, everything shifts. You work smarter. You feel more confident. And your business starts to show it. And honestly? You deserve that.
