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At Work | Best Practices | Business Buying Guide | Ultimate Office
At Work | Best Practices | Business Buying Guide | Ultimate Office
Tech tips, picks, and tools for your business on your budget
Select an office
Select a budget
Build a basic network
Even the most budget-conscious start-up business needs a solid network backbone. You can assemble a basic yet functional network setup--a router, an access point, and adapters--for a pittance. A bare-bones desktop computer works nicely as a server, doling out and directing resources on your network. And don't forget to protect the integrity of your network with antivirus and firewall software.
CNET editors say:
These products are ESSENTIAL for your start-up office.
These basic networking components are the backbone of your office's network. They're not the fastest or farthest reaching, but they'll do for now and won't break the bank.
A full-blown server is overkill for your start-up business, but you still need something to help your network efficiently use its resources. A budget desktop computer fits the bill perfectly.
Network security is especially important for a business; it's essential to protect sensitive information. Secure your network against attacks by using antivirus and firewall software.
CNET community says
What is the most important technology for the utility closet?
Top tips from the CNET community
Keep your cables neat or you're nothing.
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CNET office tools
Free tools to help you
set up your office
Wi-Fi finder
Find a Wi-Fi hot spot near you.
Enter your zip codeAdditional resources
Weekend Project
Share files and printers across your network
Networked storage and printers make for an efficient office. We'll show you how to get hooked up.
CNET business buying guide
Networking and wireless
What should you look for when buying gear for your business? We'll walk you through it.
Show Us Yours
What networking gear do you have?
Have your wireless network under control? Show us your home office networking setup: the gear, the tricks, the tips.
Security Center
Protect the integrity of your network
CNET's Security Center has all the updates, news, and tools to keep your network safe from viruses and hackers.
Building the ultimate office: from start-up to skyscraper
Conference room
Products
Additional resources
- Best practices: Web conferencing the smart way
- CNET's how-to: Record a meeting
- Tech you can expense: Get Uncle Sam to work for you
Home office
Products
Additional resources
- Show Us Yours: Home office
- Insider Secrets: Three things to do with your old PC
- Digital Home DIY: Set up a wireless network
Hotel room
Products
Additional resources
- Best practices: Stay in a hotel with free Wi-Fi
- Insider Secrets: Wi-Fi the right way
- Show Us Yours: What's inside your home office?
Airplane
Products
Additional resources
- Best practices: Book your trip online
- Get the Picture: Packing your bags preflight: power and portability
- Best practices: Get work done at the airport
Boss's office
Products
- Start-up: Budget laptop, PDA, phone, VoIP service
- Growing: PDA/phone, RSS reader, desktop, LCD
- Mature: High-end laptop, PDA/phone, mouse/keyboard, HDTV
Additional resources
- Insider Secrets: Streamline your Web browsing with RSS
- Weekend Project: Double your display power: add a second monitor
- Internet phones: Cut costs with Internet calling
- Works for Me: Too much of a good thing
Utility closet
Products
Additional resources
- Weekend Project: Share files and printers across your network
- CNET business buying guide: Networking and wireless
- Show Us Yours: What networking gear do you have?
- Security Center: Protect the integrity of your network
Cubicle
Products
Additional resources
- Insider Secrets: The best software is free software
- Weekend Project: Add a second monitor to your PC
- Works for Me: A change from default settings will do you good
- Insider Secrets: Make the most of your keyboard
Car
Products
- Start-up: Company cars on a budget, Best basic phones, PDAs for newbie road warriors, Budget laptops for mobile businesses
- Growing: Cars with growth potential, Laptops for growing mobile businesses, Smart phones, GPS navigation
- Mature: Executive cars, Bluetooth cell phones, Stylish laptops for mobile executives
Additional resources
- Insider Secrets: Geek your car
- Show us yours: High-tech payload
- Best practices: Literate listening with Audible.com
Where do you work?
Start-up:
Tech for a tight budget
Conference room, Home office, Hotel room, Airplane, Boss's office, Utility closet, Cubicle, CarGrowing:
Best tech per dollar
Conference room, Home office, Hotel room, Airplane, Boss's office, Utility closet, Cubicle, CarMature:
Tech to impress
Conference room, Home office, Hotel room, Airplane, Boss's office, Utility closet, Cubicle, Car
