2024-08-19
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Jason England is Tom's Guide's Managing Editor for Computers—helping to cover everything from laptops and peripherals, to gaming hardware, virtual reality, and everything in between.
So we know he's a tech nerd, but also the site's resident sim racing fan and a bit of a coffee snob. How does all of that fit together in a place that works for him? Okay, I'm going to stop talking about myself in the third person (always a weird feeling to do as a writer, but it has to be for Google reasons) and walk you through my desk setup, my living room, and a few other essentials that make this tiny apartment a home.
I’ve already written a little about my own Super Desk (a lot of the deals I mentioned there are still available, by the way), but let’s talk about it in more detail here.
The workload is pretty varied: writing, photography, videography, graphic design, team management (including lots of meetings), strategic planning, etc. When I’m not working on my day job, I also have my own little pursuits, like composing music and doing digital marketing for a few local restaurants.
Of course, I was very inclined to ensure that I could carry out all elements of my primary occupation effectively - starting with the combination of the Xihao Doro S300 chair and the Flexispot EG8 Comhar standing desk.
On top of that, I recently switched to a dual-monitor setup, with one in portrait mode (thanks for the tip, Anthony). The portrait mode is great for writing long-form stories, but it’s also great for browsing documents, catching up on a growing number of unread emails, and even for things like song editing.
The desk space and wireless capabilities provided by the Kiiboom Phantom 81 V2 and Logitech MX Master 3S mean I can move things around depending on what I’m doing – whether that’s putting a MIDI keyboard on the desk or moving everything out of the way and replacing it with a controller for a PC game.
Oh, and given how much I do, I tend to work late into the night at my desk, which makes the Quintis Monitor Light Bar one of the most important parts of this desk. I used to not take eye care seriously, but after a few migraines, I've learned that it's not something to be taken lightly. From adjusting the brightness and color temperature to positioning it high to illuminate the entire desk, this is a must-have for any night owl.
As for these frames, they are part of my regular routine to celebrate big news moments in my career. I know it's a little corny, but it's definitely a little ritual I enjoy. Fun fact: I'm getting married to one of the people in the photos you see in these frames. Can you guess who it is?
Separated by an IKEA Karas 4x4 shelving unit, we come to the living area of this room.
I hope this is a space where I can do what I want, whether it's binge-watching TV shows or playing games, so that I can have the best experience possible. It is also a place where I can shut down everything and rest.
So I have an Ikea Perup L-shaped sofa facing an entertainment center, which is paired with a Hisense 55-inch Mini LED TV and Ruark Audio speakers to get the best possible sound and picture from my PS5 and Xbox Series S.
Sim racing is almost therapeutic for me - it's a discipline that teaches you to focus on self-improvement, while also happening to be a particularly fun video game experience.
My actual setup is more budget-conscious, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little jealous of the big setups I see on YouTube, but for my current needs as an intermediate racer, the Logitech G923 and Playseat Challenge X combo is just right.
Since I can quickly fold it flat, I can put it away and free up space in my living room, which is crucial given my limited living space.
Also, that background you see in many of my review photos? It’s a combination of Nanoleaf hexagon lights, Grid Studio photo frames, and two plant wall hangings. I love the aesthetic contrast between technology and the natural world here, and it brings the two sides of the living room together.
There was a time in the past when I thought food and drink were just fuel – which is probably why I was overweight in the past.
But slowly, I've learned the importance of enjoying the food you eat in helping you lose body fat and gain muscle.
Of course, there are more reasons, which Luiz Silva goes into detail in his Reasons You Might Not Gain Muscle in the Gym, but the main thing that helped me lose weight and get stronger was planning what I was going to eat during the week, and sticking to it.
At the heart of it all is my trusty air fryer, which has greatly expanded my kitchen creativity (seriously, my Korean grilled chicken thighs with egg fried rice are top-notch). Granted, it’s a different brand and model to the Ninja AF101, but it’s the same size and power – and it’s in the middle aisle of Aldi (ask your British friends).
Finally, a special mention to my Smeg EC-F01 espresso machine. I know the retro look doesn’t quite match the overall utilitarian vibe of my kitchen, but once I learned that there’s a whole world of coffee out there besides my usual instant coffee of choice, the daily habit of brewing a good cup of coffee has become invaluable to my mornings.
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