# From Cramped to Comfy: My College Hostel Room Budget Desk Setup that Changed the Game Desk setups are pretty important when you have to spend hours in front of a computer. This is especially true for a college student. So, I'll be sharing my **Budget**, **Minimal** Desk setup in my hostel room at the National Institute of Technology Srinagar (NITSRI). ## Things to keep in mind * As this is a hostel room setup can't have anything expensive as it can be damaged and budget of course. * It shouldn't occupy much space as hostel rooms are pretty small and you have to share them with others. In my case, 4 roommates. * Another reason for a minimal setup is you have to move through hostels each year of college and eventually you have to move out, so it must be easy to transport. ## Let's get started ![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1684078824565/caa198a9-8c89-48c0-9f09-9055c8a26628.jpeg align="center") ### Desk First & foremost, the desk of course. The desk that I'm using is the standard desk provided by the hostel for every room. ### Laptop ![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1684078849252/f0ae451b-5a0f-4872-8e57-4ddf2472e4ed.jpeg align="center") The most important part of any desk setup is the computer. I have an Apple Macbook Air M1 2020, base variant which has the following specs: * 8 GB RAM * 256 GB SSD * M1 Chip * 13.3 Inch Display ### Monitor ![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1684078867581/3c38d140-ebff-42df-8889-12064a323240.jpeg align="center") This is one of my life's best purchases, I spent about a year and a half using the small screen on the Macbook and just getting by. Once I started earning a bit, bought the monitor and it completely changed my workflow for the better. Some features I love about this monitor are * stand design: it lets me slide in my midi keyboard (we'll come to that later) when I'm not using it, and still accessible enough to record anything when inspiration strikes. * aux out: it lets me connect a speaker to my setup without having to connect it again & again to my laptop. * brightness intelligence: helps with eye care * bigger screen: this lets me open many code files and see a lot more code Details of the monitor: * Model: BenQ GW2480 * Size: 24 inch * Panel: IPS * Resolution: 1080 (FHD) ### Keyboard ![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1684078879668/e44c18dc-48d3-42f3-97f5-06c53fbe785c.jpeg align="center") I use a generic mac compatible Bluetooth keyboard so I don't have to connect a receiver to a dock and then to Macbook. Details: * Targus Keyboard ### Mouse ![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1684078900673/cb49648c-a425-42ad-93ab-b1f29131bd0e.jpeg align="center") I just wanted a mouse that got the task done nothing fancy, and it must have Bluetooth for the same reason as the keyboard. Details: * HP Bluetooth mouse ### Laptop Stand Immediately after I got the keyboard and mouse I felt the need for something to prop my laptop up so I don't have to slouch as much and keep a good posture. I used a pile of books for a while then decided to get a stand. It's very compact and folds for portability. Details: * Foldable Laptop Stand ### Table Clock ![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1684078910873/dece3035-e325-4d57-b234-120f6dffde70.jpeg align="center") I got it from a store back in 10th grade, it even has an alarm clock. ### Speaker ![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1684078936627/7c17a248-d134-4fa6-a3e1-b145b8f9440b.jpeg align="center") Like everything else in the list, the goal was to get the cheapest speaker which gets the job done and must have pretty good after-sales support. I went with **Boat Stone 352** Details: * Model: Boat Stone 352 * 10W ### Type-C Dock ![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1684078949613/567f089b-9be1-4c2a-a8fb-04321d7fe073.jpeg align="center") Bought the first dock I found on Amazon for the cheapest. It's helping me connect my Macbook to the monitor using HDMI. I also use it to connect my MIDI keyboard at the same time. Details: * Verilux ### Mobile phone ![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1684078972210/903e1324-2c09-48b2-8549-90525b0b7ab0.jpeg align="center") It is pretty self-explanatory, I have a *Samsung Galaxy M51*. ### Phone Stand ![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1684078989125/db7a786e-e336-4d1e-8cb0-cfb2f8479e06.jpeg align="center") I got it from Amazon at a pretty low price, it gets the job done. ### Diary ![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1684079001476/d96758a9-a263-445d-9cae-fc8376d8585d.jpeg align="center") I use it to write my daily goals and checklists of things I need to get done. ### MIDI Keyboard ![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1684079018282/201189d0-65e3-41a6-90f9-12195e148913.jpeg align="center") I have a **Novation Lauchkey Mini MK3** which helps me control my daw and also make music. I love making music. This is definitely not an essential but it's for my hobby. ## Conclusion I've made this setup brick by brick as I needed stuff, and most stuff I bought with the money I earned. I strongly believe that you should only upgrade when your skills get above the skills of your tools & gadgets. I learned this from a video by Matt D'Avella, a YouTuber who promotes minimalism. And most important of all we need to work with what we got and earn our way to our dreams. I hope you found this helpful and that it inspired you to tailor your desk setup.