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Andy Edser, a PC Gamer hardware writer, says the biggest upgrade he has made to his gaming setup in 2026 is a seat cushion for his gaming chair. It is a small, personal fix for a firm seat that became uncomfortable during long days—and a contrast to the expensive PC upgrades he is putting off.
What cushion did Andy Edser buy?
Edser links to a FORTEM memory foam cushion sold through Amazon. His October 1, 2026 article identifies the listing, but its current product details and price have not been verified here. The listing should not be assumed to have the same options or bundle as the one he bought.
Edser reports that the cushion cost $20–$25 in the US context. He says he paid £40 for an extra-large UK listing that came with a lumbar support cushion, which he swapped for one he already owned. Those are his reported prices and bundle details, not confirmed current offers.
Did it make his gaming chair more comfortable?
By Edser’s account, yes. He describes his chair as firm and uncomfortable after long days, and says the cushion improved his comfort. His exact description was: “So, I gave in and bought a cushion. It’s magnificent, and has improved my comfort levels at least ten-fold in comparison to the firm seat of my steely-buttocked gaming chair.”
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- Spacious Design: Measuring 21.1" wide and 14.1" deep, our lap desk comfortably fits most laptops up to 15.6". Extra room for accessories ensures convenience.
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That is one person’s subjective experience, not the result of a controlled comparison or a medical assessment. Edser’s joking reference to “legitimate medical reasons” is not a medical recommendation, and the article does not establish that the cushion will help every chair or user.
Why call a cushion the biggest upgrade of the year?
The cushion stands out because Edser is holding off on larger PC upgrades. He says his existing gaming PC runs the games he wants to play, and he is willing to use DLSS or frame generation for demanding titles rather than replace components immediately. In that context, a modest comfort improvement felt more worthwhile to him than spending heavily on hardware.
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Edser describes the market in his October 2026 article through his own prices and purchase history, not a market survey. He says he bought his 32 GB memory kit for about $100 and his 2 TB SSD for about $130 around three years earlier; he then found 64 GB of DDR5 priced well above $800 and good 4 TB SSDs above $400. He also says the RTX 5070 listing he found was $779. These figures reflect his account and the listings he saw, rather than verified market averages or guaranteed prices.
If he were shopping for a graphics card, Edser says he would consider the RTX 5060 Ti 8 GB or RX 9070 GRE. Those are his editorial preferences, not a current buying recommendation or a validated comparison. He speculates that demand from AI servers has affected consumer hardware availability and prices, but does not cite a market dataset or study to substantiate that explanation.
Rank #3
- Note: Not suitable for MacBooks released after 2023 or devices with a protruding front camera; Not applicable to full-screen or notch-style tempered glass screen protectors; Do not use on the rear camera of the phone.
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What to check before buying a chair cushion
Edser’s experience is a useful reminder that an inexpensive setup change can address a discomfort that a new graphics card cannot. It is not evidence that the particular cushion is right for every chair. If you are considering one, check:
- Fit: Compare the cushion’s current dimensions with your chair seat, including its width and depth.
- Firmness: Think about whether you want more support or a softer sitting surface; the source article does not establish a firmness specification.
- Cover care: Confirm how the cover can be cleaned using the live listing or product documentation.
- Bundle contents: Check whether lumbar support is included. Edser’s UK extra-large purchase included one, but that does not establish what other listings currently contain.
The linked item is the FORTEM cushion listing. Check the live listing for current availability, specifications, price and bundle contents before purchasing.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Spacious Design: Measuring 21.1" wide and 12" deep, our lap desk comfortably fits most laptops up to 15.6". Extra room for accessories ensures convenience.
- Enhanced Functionality: Packed with handy features, including a 5x9" precision tracking mouse pad and a built-in phone slot for seamless work or video calls. Plus, enjoy laptop support with the integrated device ledge.
- Cool Comfort: Enjoy a stable surface with our lap desk's dual bolster cushion, designed for comfort and airflow, keeping your lap cool during extended use.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
