Ideal Workstation of a Content Writer

Ideal workstation of a content writer

The ideal workstation helps you become most productive without affecting your health. After years of research, trial and error, I’ve built the above unit, which, in my opinion, will deliver the best results in terms of performance and ergonomics.

In this chapter, I’ve explained how various elements of my custom PC contribute to productivity.

Large monitor = splitscreen

One of the key challenges content writers face when working is toggling between tabs and windows. If you are on a laptop, the small screen can only display a handful of information, increasing the total number of toggles.

Additionally, you have to memorize things before typing them. For instance, let’s say you are researching a topic when writing a blog post. On a laptop, you will need to first read the educational content, then switch to the tab where the text editor is open, and write it.

This process demands that you remember, at least momentarily, the subject matter.

Consequently, you will experience a higher cognitive load, which will tire your brain, limiting your overall daily output. 

However, if you are using a large monitor, it will enable you to view two or more tabs at the same time. On one side, you can dock the text editor, and on the other, you can place the research material.

Apart from reducing the number of tab switches, this approach will seldom require you to remember any detail. You can pick it up and put it down, keeping your mind cooler.

Mechanical keyboards encourage you

Even though we are quite engrossed in the digital universe, we are still quite physical beings. 

That’s why pressing a button is more satisfying than tapping a touchpad or making a gesture to perform a task. Our fingers are biologically constructed to receive inputs via tactile feedback, allowing the nervous system to process stimuli immediately.

A mechanical keyboard provides just that.

The typing experience on a mechanical keyboard is significantly better than scissor or membrane keys, which are found on commonly available keyboards. The primary reason is the tactile feedback on the finger, and the secondary reason is the sound.

Moreover, each key in a mechanical keyboard has its own unique spring system. It transfers some of the recoil back to your fingers, increasing the pace of your hands on a micro-level.

You can feel it on certain laptop keyboards where the keys feel mushy or soft. This occurs when the keys retract relatively slowly.

The aforementioned advantages make mechanical keyboards a huge productivity booster. I can easily type about 3000 words per day. That number only counts the words in article drafts. It doesn’t include prompts, search queries, and outlines.

Powerful CPU and RAM

Check the letter at the end of your processor’s name. If it’s ‘U,’ make sure it has at least eight cores. If it’s ‘HS’ or ‘HX,’ four cores may be enough for content writing purposes; however, you can’t edit videos on it.

Go for a minimum of 16 GB of RAM. You will always have more tabs and windows open than you think. Less RAM means some tabs will get offloaded, which can slow you down when working on an urgent task.

Wrapping up: Build one component at a time

My custom PC took me years to build. First, I had to save money, then make some mistakes by purchasing ineffective components, before I eventually stumbled into the system that currently exists.

The most important tip is to never settle for a subpar or cheap component. If you lack the funds at the moment, hold on, tough it out. It’s always better to buy the right thing later than the wrong thing now. 

Apart from the system, you need an ergonomic chair with lumbar support to protect your back and neck. Also, consider using an external webcam, speakers, and a microphone for comfort during meetings and whatnot.

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Next Chapter: Engineering Approach Toward Content Writing

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Index (Prologue): What is Content Writing