STACK #188 June 2020

FEATURE LIFE TECH

TAX TIPS If you have been working from home as a result of the COVID-19 situation, expenses you can claim include the following: Home office equipment – computers, printers, tablets, phones and other electronic devices – with the option to claim the full cost of items up to $300, or decline in value for items over $300. Remember to always keep receipts/invoices. Electricity expenses associated with heating, cooling and lighting the work area and running the devices required for work. Unfortunately, coffee, tea, milk and toilet paper are not tax-deductible, despite being essential to home work-life. Phone and internet bills.

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MICE The cool, contoured design of the (1) Logitech MXVertical Advanced Ergonomic Mouse might remind you of a Star Wars vehicle, or a high tech miniature iron. Yes, the humble mouse has evolved both aesthetically and functionally. Sculpted in a natural handshake position, the MX Vertical is designed with wrist posture in mind – the 57° vertical angle means four times less hand movement, eliminating any painful ‘mouse-wrist’ twinges. It’s also a swift charger, going from zero to three-hours of usage after just a one-minute quick charge, and lasting up to four months on a full charge. Sporting an equally futuristic design, the (2) Logitech MX Master 3 AdvancedWireless Mouse is the company’s most advanced Master series mouse, manufactured with designers and coders in mind. This one is the Speedy Gonzalez of computer mice – 90 per cent faster and five times more accurate than the average mouse, and able to scroll

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1000 lines in a mere second. The perfect partner if you’re working across multiple devices. However, if speed and ergonomics aren’t essential

and you simply need a traditional, old school model that’s built to last and at a budget price, look no further than the (3) HP X900Wired Mouse . Smooth performance and no recharging required.

For more information, visit ato.gov.au

KEYBOARDS Designed for support, stability and precision, the (1) Logitech MX Keys AdvancedWireless Illuminated Keyboard does exactly what it says in the title. Hand proximity sensors turn on the backlighting, while ambient light sensors adjust brightness accordingly. Powered for 10 days following a full charge – and five months if the backlighting is disabled – this solidly built keyboard allows typing across multiple devices when paired with an MX flow-enabled mouse, and the silent pillow-soft keystrokes won’t disrupt the household during a typing frenzy. Those looking for a more budget-priced keyboard designed for comfort and responsive typing, albeit without all the bells and whistles (and lights), should consider the (2) HP PavilionWireless Keyboard and Mouse 800 . Compact, solid, and with the tactile response of a laptop keyboard and good battery life, this keyboard and mouse combo is perfect for the work desktop. Available in black or white to match your décor.

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