Living in a primarily ‘web world,’ I tend to be a bit jaded about computer upgrades.  The nice thing about living off of websites and technology businesses is that I can write a lot of computer upgrades and tech equipment off on my taxes…  But there are seven things that I couldn’t live without from a productivity standpoint… whether I could write them off or not!

1. Multiple monitors - I have been using dual monitors for a long time, 4 or 5 years now.  And to be honest, I hate it when I am forced to work on only one display.  So many things can be avoided when you have screen real estate - opening and closing windows, constantly checking your email, reducing you chat windows….
2. KVM Switch - Like most of you, I work from a laptop.  But oftentimes, that laptop is hooked up to a KVM switch (Keyboard, Video, Mouse).  It allows me to switch between my gaming rig and the laptop while still keeping the same mouse, keyboard and display.
3. Laser Printers - I don’t print much, but nothing makes me more angry than running out of ink.  Laser printers are incredibly affordable anymore - both color and black/white.  And they save on ink in the long run!
4. Gigabit Switch - I send a lot of stuff over the network here.  Having a gigabit switch for accessing the server (not to mention Xbox Live) is a great addition to a network because it saves precious time during file transfer and backups.
5. Hands-Free Voip Kit - My weapon of choice is the Logitech EasyCall Desktop.  Included in it is the voip speakerphone that syncs up with Skype.  If you’re office is relatively quiet, it is amazing how productive you can be with one of these things.  Not having a phone wedged in between the side of you head and your shoulder can free up a lot of time!
6. PDA - I have a Blackberry and I love it.  But I take a lot of notes and have lots of stuff in my calendar (and I listen to a lot of music).  For me, my PDA is a real lifesaver in terms of keeping on track.  The Blackberry is a great phone and email device, but I would still rather take notes with a pen!
7. Network Attached Storage - Ever lose a file?  That’s a real productivity killer, isn’t it.  Avoid that by picking up a network attached storage device and backing up your files religiously…  It’ll save you time in the long run!

In my world, more productivity means more money.  I can check out of work a little early or take the occasional Friday off without feeling bad.  The seven upgrades above have saved me days of time when added all up - and I highly encourage you to pick a few of them up!

What about you?  Do you have any upgrades that you swear by in terms of productivity?