Looking for a good computer desk
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Looking for a good computer desk
I just finished modding my PC and I'm pretty proud of it. Unfortunately, my physical desk looks like crap. I'm wondering if any of you have any suggestions for nice desks to look at? I've been looking on amazon and they sell lots of junk for cheapo office people.
I'd like a desk on which the PC can sit to my right at eye level so that I can see inside the fancy new window I installed and also without those lame monitor stands because any new monitor can be adjusted to be taller, but few can become shorter, if you know what I mean.
I'm sure some of you must have cool looking desks that don't cost an arm and leg. Show it off and tell where you got it. Danke.
I'd like a desk on which the PC can sit to my right at eye level so that I can see inside the fancy new window I installed and also without those lame monitor stands because any new monitor can be adjusted to be taller, but few can become shorter, if you know what I mean.
I'm sure some of you must have cool looking desks that don't cost an arm and leg. Show it off and tell where you got it. Danke.
You'll probably get some much better suggestions, but my favorite computer desk of all time is a really cheap one from Ikea:
http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/s ... ctId=25905
All the stuff you need in a computer desk, and none of the crap you don't. The surface is big enough for 2 22" monitors side by side with room with room left over for speakers. I'm not sure if it's of interest, but you can get a little shelf-strap arrangement that lets you strap your tower to the side of the "leg" at any height you want.
http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/s ... ctId=25905
All the stuff you need in a computer desk, and none of the crap you don't. The surface is big enough for 2 22" monitors side by side with room with room left over for speakers. I'm not sure if it's of interest, but you can get a little shelf-strap arrangement that lets you strap your tower to the side of the "leg" at any height you want.
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the JERKER is a good computer table, however i have the MIKAEL from IKEA.
Its my favorite desk so far as it has a large surface area and its tall enough to fit a self made computer stand / my antec p180.
http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/s ... r=60105103
Its my favorite desk so far as it has a large surface area and its tall enough to fit a self made computer stand / my antec p180.
http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/s ... r=60105103
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Ah I was afraid you guys would say Ikea. I do agree that they have some nice stuff, but I live in St.Louis and the nearest Ikea store is 3 hours away in Chicago and their freaking website charges 300 dollars to deliver a 60 dollar desk. I just can't justify driving a 6 hour round trip or getting myself ripped off for a desk =/ Any other ideas?
That's quite the pickle you got there. I was just going to suggest IKEA Jerker. I got both type of Jerkers in my room and loving'em! lol so much desk space.breakspirit wrote:Ah I was afraid you guys would say Ikea. I do agree that they have some nice stuff, but I live in St.Louis and the nearest Ikea store is 3 hours away in Chicago and their freaking website charges 300 dollars to deliver a 60 dollar desk. I just can't justify driving a 6 hour round trip or getting myself ripped off for a desk =/ Any other ideas?
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I found a nice one from a furniture store. It cost $700 but is more sturdy and beautiful than the pulpwood veneer desks from Office Depot.
It's pretty simple: just a desk with a drawer for the keyboard, and a glass top to prevent rings from drinks. It's the right height for me.
The adjustable height Ikea table might be more practical and less expensive, but it doesn't look as nice.
It's pretty simple: just a desk with a drawer for the keyboard, and a glass top to prevent rings from drinks. It's the right height for me.
The adjustable height Ikea table might be more practical and less expensive, but it doesn't look as nice.
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It's an old pic but the desk is still the same:
Made it myself because all the desks were (a) not pretty or (b) too expensive.
It has a drawer like shelf for keyboard and mouse and the desk has no legs (I attached it to rails that are screwed into the wall).
Why stop at modding a PC when you can make a desk as well
Made it myself because all the desks were (a) not pretty or (b) too expensive.
It has a drawer like shelf for keyboard and mouse and the desk has no legs (I attached it to rails that are screwed into the wall).
Why stop at modding a PC when you can make a desk as well
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Sucks, but at least you have the option. Here in the UK they can only manage to deliver to a fraction of the country - even though we'd fit into virtually any state in your union. Wouldn't mind a Jerker myself.breakspirit wrote:Ah I was afraid you guys would say Ikea. I do agree that they have some nice stuff, but I live in St.Louis and the nearest Ikea store is 3 hours away in Chicago and their freaking website charges 300 dollars to deliver a 60 dollar desk.
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It's in stock in Frisco and Round Rock, but not Houston. You can check from the product page
Re: Looking for a good computer desk
I've always liked my AnthroCart:breakspirit wrote:I just finished modding my PC and I'm pretty proud of it. Unfortunately, my physical desk looks like crap. I'm wondering if any of you have any suggestions for nice desks to look at? I've been looking on amazon and they sell lots of junk for cheapo office people.
I'd like a desk on which the PC can sit to my right at eye level so that I can see inside the fancy new window I installed and also without those lame monitor stands because any new monitor can be adjusted to be taller, but few can become shorter, if you know what I mean.
I'm sure some of you must have cool looking desks that don't cost an arm and leg. Show it off and tell where you got it. Danke.
http://www.anthro.com/
Get at least the 48" wide one. Be prepared to spend, though.
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The MIKAEL looks good; it's on my shopping list. Only problem is, I don't know if this model will still be available come spring 2008 (when the West Chester, OH store is expected to open and I hope to move in to a new house ) I'm just happy to have an IKEA in Ohio - finally.canucks.bradley wrote:the JERKER is a good computer table, however i have the MIKAEL from IKEA.
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Ikea do now deliver to where I live.
The Jerker had been replaced by the Fredrik:
http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/20115991
http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/60111123
Is this as good?
Thanks.
The Jerker had been replaced by the Fredrik:
http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/20115991
http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/60111123
Is this as good?
Thanks.
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May I suggest one important criteria for a desk? Adjustable height. Sounds funny, but makes sense.
I've been researching top of the line ergonomic chairs, like the Aeron by Herman Miller (am actually sitting in one their dealer lent me to try right now), and found a wealth of studies about desk/chair/worksurface relationship. Herman Miller has a 22 page document, with over 200 citations to real peer-reviewed journals, that says, first you should adjust the chair to your body, then adjust the work surface height to you in the properly adjusted chair. Most desks, however, have a fixed worksurface height of 29". Of course Miller's desks and worksurfaces are almost all quite adjustable, but they are all mind-bogglingly expensive too.
Nonetheless, their advice seems quite sound from my experience, so what I am going to do, after deciding on a new chair, is to build a desk to suit. That is the least expensive way to get a fully customized desk. You can make the height just right for you, and set the monitor area down, below the level of the work surface, for example. And, it really takes very little money for the base material (MDF is strong, easily reinforced, and cheap and you use very little hardwood for the legs, etc.), little talent (just being careful and precise), and if you want it to look really good, veneering it over with a nice hardwood veneer (cherry, walnut, etc.) is easier and less costly than you think.
And, by the way, Miller's research also shows that even when people are adjusting their chairs without reference to a worksurface, most adjust their chairs 2" too high
I've been researching top of the line ergonomic chairs, like the Aeron by Herman Miller (am actually sitting in one their dealer lent me to try right now), and found a wealth of studies about desk/chair/worksurface relationship. Herman Miller has a 22 page document, with over 200 citations to real peer-reviewed journals, that says, first you should adjust the chair to your body, then adjust the work surface height to you in the properly adjusted chair. Most desks, however, have a fixed worksurface height of 29". Of course Miller's desks and worksurfaces are almost all quite adjustable, but they are all mind-bogglingly expensive too.
Nonetheless, their advice seems quite sound from my experience, so what I am going to do, after deciding on a new chair, is to build a desk to suit. That is the least expensive way to get a fully customized desk. You can make the height just right for you, and set the monitor area down, below the level of the work surface, for example. And, it really takes very little money for the base material (MDF is strong, easily reinforced, and cheap and you use very little hardwood for the legs, etc.), little talent (just being careful and precise), and if you want it to look really good, veneering it over with a nice hardwood veneer (cherry, walnut, etc.) is easier and less costly than you think.
And, by the way, Miller's research also shows that even when people are adjusting their chairs without reference to a worksurface, most adjust their chairs 2" too high
So far favorite computer desk to look at is this one:
http://www.datamancer.net/projects/engine/engine.htm
But turning from the artistic to the utilitarian, what I use is an old steel office desk. It has a depressed area in the center - intended for a type-writer, but works very nicely as a keyboard shelf.
(Piece of countertop over the top provides monitor stand area.)
Turns out the drawers are just the right depth to hold CDs, and they are sturdy enough that you can fill them up with CDs and no problems (unlike some of the cheap drawers one sees today).
http://www.datamancer.net/projects/engine/engine.htm
But turning from the artistic to the utilitarian, what I use is an old steel office desk. It has a depressed area in the center - intended for a type-writer, but works very nicely as a keyboard shelf.
(Piece of countertop over the top provides monitor stand area.)
Turns out the drawers are just the right depth to hold CDs, and they are sturdy enough that you can fill them up with CDs and no problems (unlike some of the cheap drawers one sees today).
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Derek, I'd be a bit concerned about the low capacity of the Fredrik too, even though it is adjustable. The design looks like it might be prone to racking or tilting sideways too. The shelves and desk top can be strengthened by gluing/nailing edgeing to it. Will explain if you are at all interested. But if the weight limit is due to the vertical supports, then it will be harder to strengthen.
Jeff C. might be on the right track. With a little creativity that could lead to a really neat looking installation, one in which the computer blends in with a bookcase or something, and the monitor, if big enough, can be used as a movie screen for the whole room too. A non-desk desk kind of approach.
SCDR, have seen that guy's laptop case too. Would love to have the time, patience and money to do that good a job with the woodworking. And, just imagine the work involved in making the old Underwood typewriter function as a keyboard!
Jeff C. might be on the right track. With a little creativity that could lead to a really neat looking installation, one in which the computer blends in with a bookcase or something, and the monitor, if big enough, can be used as a movie screen for the whole room too. A non-desk desk kind of approach.
SCDR, have seen that guy's laptop case too. Would love to have the time, patience and money to do that good a job with the woodworking. And, just imagine the work involved in making the old Underwood typewriter function as a keyboard!
I built my own desk.
A big huge giant beech-coloured panel (1800x850x49), four detachable brushed aluminum legs (diameter 60). It might not be as fancy as that Vika thing, but it's sturdy and huge. Four people could climb on top of it, and it wouldn't break.
I might take a pic when I make a shelf and move the amp from my desk to the wall, something I've been planning to do for months...
A big huge giant beech-coloured panel (1800x850x49), four detachable brushed aluminum legs (diameter 60). It might not be as fancy as that Vika thing, but it's sturdy and huge. Four people could climb on top of it, and it wouldn't break.
I might take a pic when I make a shelf and move the amp from my desk to the wall, something I've been planning to do for months...
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