What The Tech: Devices that can assist you do away with your desk muddle

Posted: Apr 7, 2026 7:20 AM CDT

by
Justin Walker

BY JAMEY TUCKER, Consumer Tech Reporter

Albert Einstein is believed to have mentioned, “A cluttered desk is a sign of genius.” But for many of us, it’s simply muddle.

And with extra units than ever, that muddle can get uncontrolled quick.  Laptops, telephones, smartwatches, earbuds… and all of the cables that include them.

The excellent news is a couple of good devices can really cut back the mess with out eliminating the tech you depend on.

Even the Greats Had Messy Desks
Thomas Edison and Mark Twain have been identified for cluttered desks. So was Steve Jobs. But their muddle seemed somewhat totally different.

No charging cables. No energy strips. No tangle of USB cords.
Today’s muddle is powered.
One Charger Instead of Three
If your desk is roofed in charging cables, begin right here.
A 3-in-1 charging station from Anker can cost an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods all on the similar time. That means one cable as a substitute of three. It additionally costs quicker than a regular plug and features a built-in fan to assist maintain your telephone cool. And it’s compact sufficient to toss in a bag if you happen to’re working some place else.

Power Everything Without the Mess
When you’ve obtained a number of units, a regular energy strip doesn’t reduce it.
Anker’s Nano 7-1 Charging Station can deal with as much as seven units directly. It consists of three AC shops, USB-C and USB-A ports, and even retractable cables that keep tucked away once you don’t want them.

There’s additionally a small show exhibiting how briskly your units are charging and once they’ll be prepared.

Translation: fewer unfastened cables and fewer guessing.

Cut the Cord with Wireless Accessories
Two of the best cables to remove are your keyboard and mouse.
A wi-fi keyboard from Logitech can hook up with a number of units. With the press of a button, you’ll be able to swap out of your laptop to a pill or telephone. It even features a built-in slot to carry a tool.

Pair that with a wi-fi mouse, and also you’ve immediately cleared two extra cords off your desk. Some newer fashions are rechargeable, so that you gained’t must maintain swapping batteries. Just plug it in about as soon as a month.

Add More Ports Without the Headache
If you’re continuously plugging and unplugging units, you most likely want extra ports. Most computer systems don’t have sufficient connections for every thing we use at the moment. A USB hub or port expander solves that shortly. Plug it into your laptop, and you may join arduous drives, flash drives, and equipment all of sudden.

No extra reaching behind your laptop or juggling cables.

The Real Difference Between Then and Now
Edison, Twain, and even Jobs didn’t need to cope with charging cables.
We do. And whereas muddle could have labored for them, at the moment’s tech-heavy workspace advantages from somewhat group.
The proper devices gained’t simply make your desk look higher. They could make it simpler to focus and get work finished.