Remote work or online schooling may not be easy and familiar, but that does not mean that it can't be done or that you cannot be productive. With the right tools, you can get the job done just as fast or even faster than at work or at school. Performing the first step for remote work or online learning from home is easier than it seems, and ASUS offers some cutting–edge devices to help facilitate the transition:
Increased wireless coverage with ASUS ZenWiFi
Remote work and online schooling mean using the internet intensively. That's why it helps to have great Wi-Fi coverage in your home. To help with that, ASUS has a long list of mesh Wi-Fi products, the most recent of which are ASUS ZenWiFi AC (CT8) and ASUS ZenWiFi AX (XT8). They both feature up-to-date hardware, advanced firmware with antivirus included, parental controls, and Advanced QoS for making sure that you're never out of bandwidth. Not even if your children are streaming 4K movies on Netflix while you work and join video conferences in your home office.
ZenWiFi AX (XT8) also features support for the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard. With it, you can enjoy the maximum possible Wi-Fi speed on your laptop, smartphone, and other compatible devices.
Next-generation wireless routers
If mesh Wi-Fi isn't your thing, a powerful router is a great idea. This is true especially when all your family is at home, using the internet while you have to work remotely, without lag and unwanted interruptions. Buying a powerful Wi-Fi 6 router like the ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 helps you ensure that you don't have to worry about having too many people using the Wi-Fi at the same time. Gone are the days when your router could not cope with increased Wi-Fi bandwidth use or with many devices simultaneously connected to the network.
If you prefer a router that is more down-to-earth and not as expensive, ASUS RT-AX58U is an excellent choice that delivers support for Wi-Fi 6, up-to-date hardware, and advanced security features.
If you already have a router or mesh Wi-Fi system with Wi-Fi 6, and you want to upgrade your desktop PC to benefit from a faster network connection, consider a network card like the ASUS PCE-AX58BT. It is going to boost your Wi-Fi connection speed to a whole new level.
If you don't want to jump on the Wi-Fi 6 bandwagon, a great choice is the ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AC2900. This router is the gamer-friendly evolution of a tried and tested design.
Its RGB lighting system looks great, the firmware is packed with an extensive number of tools and features, including many that are interesting to gamers. Users who want the best possible Wi-Fi using mature wireless standards like Wi-Fi 5 should definitely check it out.
Portable monitors for a quick dual-screen setup
You may have to work from home on your business laptop, and you may miss the dual-screen setup from the office. If you don't have much space on your home desk, you can opt for a portable monitor like the ASUS ZenScreen MB16AC. It's great as a second monitor, and it can be connected to your laptop, desktop PC, smartphone, or tablet.
When you need to travel, it is easy to carry. It can be used anywhere, as long as you have a table to put it on. With the ZenScreen, you can handle spreadsheets like a champ, work on multiple documents at the same time, or tackle any other task that benefits from screen real estate.
Innovative and powerful laptops for both work and gaming
ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo and its smaller brother - ZenBook Duo - are two top-of-the-line laptops that have won the iF Design Award 2020 for their remarkable design.
We reviewed the ZenBook Pro Duo here at Digital Citizen, and we found it to be an innovative laptop, that looks impressive and feels well built. Its two screens allow you to do things that weren't possible on previous generations of laptops. The performance is also excellent no matter what you do, from running Office apps to video editing or software development.
If you are into gaming or you want the power of a gaming laptop, take a look at the ASUS ROG Zephyrus S (GX502), another winner of the iF Design Award 2020.
It has a thin design, with a clean, durable build, a great display (with a 144Hz or 240Hz refresh rate), and plenty of hardware power for high performance. It is the kind of laptop that does an excellent job at combining powerful specs with space efficiency.
If you want to backup your work data with File History or another similar solution, it is a good idea to invest in an external hard disk, like the ASUS FX HDD. This tiny accessory looks great, it has generous storage options, it works well, and it integrates nicely in the ASUS ROG ecosystem.
Headsets with noise cancellation for remote meetings or classes
Some people working or studying from home have pets and/or families with children. They may need to join remote meetings through Skype, Zoom, Webex, and other platforms or make more phone calls than usual to keep up with their jobs or studies. For such situations, it is a good idea to use a headset with noise cancellation, to prevent the people and the pets around you from being heard in your meetings. ASUS ROG Strix Go 2.4 is an innovative wireless headset that can be connected through USB Type-C to your laptop, your smartphone, your console, or your desktop PC. The headset has a lightweight design and a carry bag for on-the-go use and protection. Its noise-canceling microphone enables crystal-clear voice communication for both work and play, while its airtight chambers and 40 mm ASUS Essence drivers deliver a rich sound with optimized deep bass for an immersive audio experience.
If you prefer something even more lightweight, you can try the ASUS ROG Cetra. They have an ergonomic design, with three sizes of ear gels and fins, and a pair of foam ear tips to ensure a secure and comfortable fit. This headset has Active Noise Cancellation and an innovative Ambient mode that helps you immerse yourself without distraction, while giving you the ability to let the sounds of the outside world in, when needed. You can connect the ASUS ROG Cetra to any smartphone, laptop, PC, or console with a USB Type-C port.
A versatile mouse for productive laptop and desktop PC use
When you want to be productive at home, it is good to have a great mouse with your laptop, instead of using that annoying trackpad. You could try the ASUS ROG Strix Carry mouse. It is a small and precise wireless mouse with both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. It comes with a small travel bag, two AA batteries, and two spare Omron switches to click on it for years.
If you want an even more flexible mouse, take a look at the ASUS ROG Pugio II, which can be connected to any laptop or PC through USB, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi. You can connect it to three computers using three different connection methods and switch between them with ease.
It doesn't get more flexible than this!
Versatile PCs and displays for professional artists
If you are a professional artist, and you have to work from home, doing photo editing, video editing, architecture, engineering, animation, or other art forms, you might need a powerful workstation like ASUS Mini PC ProArt PA90. Its name includes the words "Mini PC," but that is misleading. This PC is tall and powerful. There is no task that it cannot perform well. If you are looking for powerful alternatives to the rather outdated Mac Pro, ASUS Mini PC ProArt PA90 is one of the best choices you can make.
To complement it, you can also take a look at the ASUS ProArt PA32UC monitor. It is a great choice for people who want excellent color reproduction, HDR, and hardware calibration. To make things even better, its adjustable stand allows you to tilt, height, pivot, and swivel the monitor any way you wish to fit your needs no matter what you do.
Which solutions do you prefer for remote work?
Remote working and online learning are becoming more commonplace. Innovative products and technologies, like those mentioned in this article, can help you enjoy a rewarding remote work experience. Before closing, tell us which solutions and products you prefer for remote work and why. Are you interested in upgrading the Wi-Fi in your home or purchasing a more powerful laptop? What about investing in a good headset with noise-cancellation? Comment below and let's share ideas and personal experiences with remote work and study.