I'm setting up a home workstation for coding and general work, usually 8–10 hours a day. My original budget was $150–$250 total for the displays, wireless keyboard, and wireless mouse, though I can stretch the monitor budget to around $400 if that makes a meaningful difference.
I'd prefer two monitors around 22–24 inches, or possibly one 32–34-inch display. Important features are clear text, comfortable viewing, and flicker-free operation. Automatic or ambient-light brightness would be nice, while USB-C and KVM support would be bonuses rather than requirements.
I'm mainly interested in significant discounts, including sales, clearance, open-box, refurbished, coupons, or local used deals—not merely inexpensive models at their normal retail prices. I currently have two Dell P2213F monitors, but I'm unsure whether they have any trade-in or buyback value. What setups or deals would you recommend, and would it be worth waiting for a major holiday sale?
2 Answers
For the peripherals, a wireless VXE R1 or R1 Pro is a strong value mouse, typically around $20–$40, with a good sensor and lightweight design. The MChose A7 V2 is another inexpensive option. For keyboards, used Keychron Q4 or Su75 Pro boards can be excellent, although they are mechanical and may not suit everyone. If you do consider one, a Yunzii AL66 is another solid option and leaves room for later customization.
The two Dell displays are quite old, so a retailer trade-in probably won’t be worthwhile. You might have better luck selling them locally, since shipping used monitors can cost almost as much as the monitors themselves, or recycling them if nobody wants them.
For your budget, the most practical upgrade is a pair of used or discounted 24-inch 1080p monitors. They should be a noticeable improvement for everyday work, but features like automatic brightness, USB-C, and KVM are uncommon at that price. A single 4K monitor gives roughly the horizontal workspace of two older 1680×1050 screens, but even basic 27-inch 4K models often start around $180. A 34-inch model will usually use up most of a $400 budget, especially if you want IPS rather than a cheaper VA panel. Look for local pickup, open-box inventory, and refurbished business monitors.
I can stretch the budget to about $400 for the monitors. I may wait for a major holiday sale and compare refurbished or open-box options.
Thanks, but I’m not especially interested in mechanical keyboards. I’ll focus on finding a comfortable wireless office-style keyboard instead.