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10 Must-Have Hardware Items for Digital Product Designers

Step into hardware heaven with our curated list of must-have tools for digital product designers

Craig Barber

Senior Product Designer

10 Must-Have Pieces of Hardware for Digital Product Designers
10 Must-Have Pieces of Hardware for Digital Product Designers

Welcome to our guide on essential hardware for digital product designers!

In the fast-paced world of digital design, having the right tools at your disposal can make all the difference in your workflow and creativity.

In this post, we've curated a list of top-rated, tried-and-tested hardware essentials that every digital product designer should consider adding to their arsenal.

From laptops and headphones to coffee cups and water bottles, we've got you covered with the gear that will help you stay productive, focused, and inspired.

KeepCup coffee cup

But first coffee! Stay charged in the co-working space with this quality coffee cup. For digital product designers seeking a sustainable yet stylish companion for their busy workdays, KeepCup stands out as a thoughtful solution. With its unique design and a spectrum of colors to choose from, it seamlessly blends into your professional aesthetic while making a bold statement about your commitment to sustainability.

Crafted from a combination of durable glass and non-toxic plastic, KeepCup not only feels great in your hand but also aligns with the values of conscientious design. Unlike traditional thermo mugs, KeepCup prioritizes eco-friendliness over airtight insulation, providing a sustainable alternative to disposable paper cups without sacrificing style or functionality.

By incorporating KeepCup into your daily routine, you not only reduce your environmental footprint but also demonstrate your dedication to sustainable practices within the digital product design industry. Plus, with its dishwasher and microwave-safe construction, KeepCup adds a layer of convenience to your busy schedule, ensuring that your commitment to sustainability extends beyond just your designs.

Moleskine dot pad

Map your wireframes and user flows on this classic dot pad. Revitalize your creative process with the iconic Moleskine notebook, now available in a fresh array of colors while maintaining its legendary design. Equipped with a classic elastic closure and a handy bookmark, this notebook ensures you never lose your place in your thoughts. Plus, its expandable pocket offers a neat solution for storing essential notes and papers during brainstorming sessions.

Inside, you'll find 192 pages of dotted layout on smooth, acid-free paper, providing the perfect canvas for sketching out your next digital masterpiece. The inclusion of an "In case of loss" notice ensures your valuable ideas are always safeguarded.

But there's more to discover: flip over the reusable band to reveal additional instruments printed on the B-SIDE, perfect for aiding your design process. Every Moleskine product also carries the brand's inspiring story, fostering a connection to creativity and innovation.

Designed to open fully at 180°, this notebook offers unmatched convenience for capturing ideas in any setting. Each package includes an extra-large size soft cover notebook, measuring 19 x 25 cm, providing ample space for your design sketches and concepts, all presented in timeless black. Elevate your digital design journey with Moleskine's enduring quality and craftsmanship.

Nulaxy laptop stand

Keep your posture proper with this rock-steady laptop stand. For digital product designers seeking an elevated workspace experience, look no further than this tailored laptop stand.

This stand ensures designers achieve their optimal eye level effortlessly, with adjustable height ranging from 1.18" to 20". Its ergonomic design fosters comfortable posture, vital for those long design sessions.

Crafted from premium space-grade aluminum, this stand is a dependable companion, capable of supporting laptops up to 10kg (22lbs). With bottom rubber pads providing stability, designers can focus on their work without worrying about slips or wobbles.

Designed with convenience in mind, this stand folds easily for space-saving storage and includes a handle hole for seamless portability. Whether working from home or on the go, it's a versatile addition to any designer's toolkit.

Featuring an aluminum panel with ventilation holes, this stand optimizes heat dissipation, ensuring laptops stay cool during intense design tasks. Improved cooling not only enhances performance but also prolongs battery life.

Compatible with laptops ranging from 10 to 17 inches, including MacBook, Microsoft Surface, Dell XPS, and more, this stand caters to the diverse needs of digital product designers. Elevate your workspace setup and enhance productivity with this premium laptop stand, designed specifically with digital creatives in mind.

15" Macbook Air

Get Figma fired up with Apple's latest and greatest. For digital product designers seeking power and portability, the 15-inch MacBook Air delivers a winning combination. Its spacious Liquid Retina display offers vibrant visuals and incredible detail, housed in a remarkably thin and lightweight recycled aluminum enclosure. Powered by the M2 chip, this MacBook Air boasts a powerful 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU, along with 8GB of unified memory, ensuring lightning-fast performance for all your creative endeavors.

Enjoy uninterrupted productivity with up to 18 hours of battery life, thanks to the power-efficient design of the Apple M2 chip. Plus, experience silent operation with the fanless design, allowing you to focus on your work without distractions. With compatibility with thousands of optimized apps for Apple silicon, including industry favorites like Microsoft Excel and Adobe Creative Cloud, along with the convenience of Touch ID for secure unlocking, the MacBook Air is designed to seamlessly integrate into your workflow, empowering you to bring your digital designs to life with ease.

Stay connected and productive with versatile connectivity options, including MagSafe charging, Thunderbolt ports, and a headphone jack. And with the added assurance of AppleCare warranty, including one-year limited coverage and complimentary technical support, you can have peace of mind knowing your MacBook Air is backed by Apple's renowned service and support. Elevate your digital design experience with the unmatched power, performance, and portability of the 15-inch MacBook Air.

Bellroy laptop bag

Keep your gear safe and sound with this quality Bellroy laptop bag. Meet your ultimate companion for design journeys – a versatile 20-liter bag that effortlessly switches between a backpack and a tote. Safeguard your 15’’ laptop in its padded sleeve while enjoying carrying comfort with padded shoulder straps that can be neatly tucked away. With soft Nylon grab handles, moving around is a breeze.

Stay organized on the go with multiple pockets, both inside and out. You'll find two hidden Pop Pockets handy for stashing essentials like water bottles, umbrellas, or even shoes. Plus, crafted from water-resistant woven fabric, this bag keeps your gear protected from unexpected weather.

Measuring at 470mm x 370mm x 100mm (or 18.5 inches x 14.5 inches x 4 inches), it offers ample space without overwhelming you. Whether you're heading to a client meeting or a brainstorming session, this bag ensures you're always prepared and stylishly equipped for any design adventure.

Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones

Stay focused on that responsive layout with these noise cancelling headphones from Sony. Designed with digital product designers in mind, the WH-1000XM3 headphones offer industry-leading noise cancellation, powered by the QN1 chip, ensuring you can focus on your work without distractions. With a battery life of up to 30 hours and quick charging capabilities, you'll never have to worry about being without your headphones when inspiration strikes.

Experience enhanced comfort and lightweight design with the improved WH-1000XM3 model, allowing you to wear them for extended periods without discomfort. Enjoy high-resolution audio with authentic sound quality, thanks to advanced technology and features packed into these headphones. Optimized for seamless integration with Google Assistant and Alexa, you can effortlessly control your music and access information hands-free.

With Alexa built-in, you can connect instantly to play music, control your smart home, and access a wealth of information with just your voice. To ensure optimal sound performance, always keep your headphones up to date with the latest software updates. With the WH-1000XM3 headphones, you'll enjoy unparalleled sound quality and convenience, making them the perfect companion for your digital design workflow.

Logitech M705 mouse

Achieve pixel perfection with this super smooth wireless mouse. For digital product designers seeking a reliable tool for their workflow, this Logitech wireless mouse offers convenience and comfort. With an impressive 3-year battery life powered by 2 AA batteries, you can stay focused on your work without worrying about frequent recharges. Designed with ergonomics in mind, this mouse fits comfortably in your hand, with all controls easily accessible.

Experience seamless scrolling with dual-mode scrolling, allowing you to switch between speed and precision effortlessly. With one tiny receiver connecting up to 6 devices, you can declutter your workspace and enjoy wireless freedom within a 10-meter range. Plus, with 5 customizable buttons, including forward and back thumb buttons, you can boost your productivity by creating shortcuts and accessing applications with ease.

Compatible with macOS, Windows, and Chromebook, this mouse is a versatile addition to any designer's toolkit. For even more productivity and compatibility, consider upgrading to the Multi-Device Logitech M720 Triathlon Wireless Mouse, which offers dual connectivity options and broad compatibility across various operating systems. With its low product carbon footprint, you can make a sustainable choice without compromising on performance.

Apple Magic keyboard

Enjoy the convenience of wireless connectivity with the Magic Keyboard featuring Touch ID, effortlessly connecting to your Mac via Bluetooth without the hassle of loose batteries. Designed to work seamlessly with any Mac powered by Apple silicon, this keyboard pairs automatically, allowing you to dive into your digital projects without delay. Experience enhanced typing comfort and precision with the Magic Keyboard's tactile design, ensuring a productive workflow for digital product designers.

Unlock your Mac and sign in to apps and sites quickly and securely with Touch ID, offering a fast and intuitive authentication method. With an impressively long-lasting internal battery, the Magic Keyboard keeps you typing for weeks on end before needing a recharge, providing uninterrupted productivity. Included with the keyboard is a woven USB-C to Lightning Cable for easy pairing and charging via a USB-C port on your Mac. Compatible with Macs featuring Apple silicon and running macOS 11.4 or later, the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID is the perfect companion for digital creatives seeking convenience and efficiency in their workflow.

SteelSeries mouse pad

Set up shop anywhere with this super slick mouse pad. Designed with durability in mind, our mouse pad features never-fray stitched edges, ensuring long-lasting performance even with daily use. The micro-woven surface offers maximum control, optimized for both optical and laser sensors, providing precise tracking for digital product designers working on intricate details.

Measuring at 450 mm x 400 mm x 2 mm, this mouse pad is spacious enough to accommodate your mouse movements comfortably while maintaining a slim profile on your desk. Additionally, its durable and washable design makes cleaning a breeze, allowing you to focus on your design work without worrying about maintenance. Upgrade your workspace with this reliable mouse pad, offering both functionality and convenience for digital product designers seeking optimal control and durability.

A5 Memobottle

Stay hydrated at your desk this A5 stainless steel water bottle. Simplify your hydration routine with the stainless steel memobottle, designed for digital product designers on the go. Its 28mm (1 inch) mouthpiece allows for easy filling and quick drinking, while the internal screw thread ensures a smooth sip every time, all packed into a sleek, minimalist design.

Engineered for reliability, this water bottle boasts a leak-proof lid with a robust silicone seal, keeping your gym sessions, travels, and daily activities spill-free. Plus, with a commitment to sustainability, each memobottle sold helps provide 5 months of clean water to communities in need through our partnership with Water.org, empowering you to make a positive impact with every sip.

Crafted from BPA and BPS free plastic (lid) and food-grade silicone (seal), and backed by a 2-year guarantee for manufacturing defects, the memobotte offers peace of mind and convenience in every aspect of your hydration journey. With dimensions of 243 x 148 x 39 mm (9.6 x 5.8 x 1.5 in) and a capacity of 36 oz (1080 ml), it's the perfect companion for staying hydrated while focusing on your digital creations.

That's a wrap!

In conclusion, investing in high-quality hardware is essential for digital product designers looking to elevate their craft. The tools we've covered in this post have been chosen for their reliability, functionality, and ability to enhance your overall design experience.

Whether you're sketching wireframes on a notepad, fine-tuning prototypes on a laptop stand, or staying hydrated with a trusty water bottle, each piece of hardware plays a vital role in shaping your creative process.

So why wait? Equip yourself with these essentials and watch as your digital designs reach new heights of innovation and excellence.