Work-From-Home Setup Guide for South Africa (Load Shedding Ready)

By Web Direct, refurbished computer specialist in Cape Town since 2002 · Updated October 2026

A good home office in South Africa needs two things: the right equipment, and power and internet that survive load shedding. Here is a practical checklist.

The essentials

• Laptop: Core i5/Ryzen 5, 16GB RAM, SSD. A business laptop or refurbished business laptop.
• Monitor: a 24" or 27" screen reduces eye strain (business monitors).
• Dock or USB-C monitor: one cable for charging, screen and network (docking stations).
• Webcam and headset for clear Teams and Zoom calls.
• Keyboard and mouse for comfort.

Staying online during load shedding

Most fibre routers and ONTs use under 25W, so a DC mini UPS can keep your Wi-Fi running for 4-8 hours. Your laptop has its own battery; a monitor or desktop needs a UPS or inverter. Size the UPS by adding up the watts of what you need to run. See backup power solutions and our UPS buying guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best laptop for working from home?
A business laptop with 16GB RAM, an SSD, a good webcam and long battery life, such as a Dell Latitude/Pro, ThinkPad or EliteBook.

How do I keep my internet on during load shedding?
Power your fibre ONT and router from a DC mini UPS or a UPS; most will run for several hours.

Do I need a docking station?
Not essential, but a dock or USB-C monitor turns your laptop into a full desktop setup with one cable.

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