$500 stipend to use for WFH equipment as an SA. What should I get?

I currently have a crappy dual monitor set up + keyboard/mouse. Should I go all out and buy a $400-500 4k monitor or an ultrawide, or is there anything that I am missing that could be beneficial for me for WFH. Not sure if I can use the stipend on furniture (decent chair/desk).

Currently have a normal desk + office chair.

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is the 144hz needed for stuff like excel and ppt? Bought the Samsung T55 1000R curved monitor an hour ago but it's only 75hz. I like that it's 100R

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Dude, HDMI can only drive my main 4K monitor at 30hz. I have no complaints, and have had a displayport wire that I've been meaning to switch in for the last six months to get me 60hz.

Screen real estate is what you want for monitors. I wouldn't even consider 4K unless you're going 32" or bigger, otherwise the text can be too small. (looking at you, and your poor scaling, FactSet) Multiple 1080p monitors is probably ideal, since many programs, particularly Bloomberg and Morningstar Direct play better on multiple small monitors than one big one.

The only difference between Asset Management and Investment Research is assets. I generally see somebody I know on TV on Bloomberg/CNBC etc. once or twice a week. This sounds cool, until I remind myself that I see somebody I know on ESPN five days a week.
 

Not him but in my experience with various refresh rates 144hz makes everyday things look a lot smoother, especially scrolling. Also I found my eyes felt a lot less fatigued after a day on 144hz than a few hours on 60hz (don't even get me started on 48hz). For the same money as a 75hz 1440p you can usually get a 144hz 1080p and I'd definitely take the lower resolution for the higher hz. Purely personal preference though.

 
"finbrah" all these monitor nerds. I’m sure they’re right but a nice desk chair is probably worth it if you can get it.

Honestly, I have one of those $1500 Herman Miller Aeron 'Ergonomic' chairs at work, and a $60 Amazon Basics chair at home. The biggest difference is that I have to take an allen wrench to the Amazon chair a couple times a year to tighten everything up. If I had to do it over again, I'd just spend an extra $4 on a tube of LocTite for the thing.

The only difference between Asset Management and Investment Research is assets. I generally see somebody I know on TV on Bloomberg/CNBC etc. once or twice a week. This sounds cool, until I remind myself that I see somebody I know on ESPN five days a week.
 

agree , 2 monitors keyboard mouse is the ceiling for what you need. maybe upgrade if you really care but as an intern this summer it won’t be a big deal. $500 is a lot and not worth buying something for a setup you probably won’t transport (when moving into NYC FT for example) so don’t bother. Buy some random shit if it’s burning a hole, better than buying somehing you don’t need or already have. incremental value of upgrade is lower than spending it on some shit you might want actually. it’s not like you’re buying a good suit vs shitty that is actually noticeable or will provide material value. difference is negligible.

 

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