5 Tech Upgrades Under $50 That Actually Make a Difference

Most "tech upgrade" lists are full of $500 monitors and $300 keyboards. Here are 5 things that cost less than a dinner out and genuinely improved my daily setup:

1. A USB-C hub with power delivery (~$25)

One cable to rule them all. Plug in your monitor, drives, and charge your laptop simultaneously.

2. A desk cable management tray (~$15)

Sounds boring. Looks incredible. You'll wonder why you waited.

3. A mechanical switch tester (~$10)

Before you drop $150 on a keyboard, spend $10 to figure out which switches you actually like.

4. Monitor light bar (~$30)

Way better than a desk lamp. No glare on screen, perfect for late night sessions.

5. A proper mouse pad (~$12)

If you're still using a bare desk or a 5-year-old pad, this is the cheapest performance upgrade you'll ever make.

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