I hate it. Its Form vs. Function, and Form is winning a little too much. A dining room table is just as suited to be used as a computer desk as that thing is...
I think mine functions quite well. Depends on where you have it...
I can reach behind myself easily and get a CD or whatever from a bookshelf that is only a couple of feet from the desk. I also have a window behind the desk, so any high shelves would ruin that view...
Exactly right about the shelves. Shelves are good. However, integrating specialized shelves into a desk hasn't always yielded the best ergo designs. The way certain modern desks have been arranged they turn out not being particularly good for anything, though they do a bit of everything: hold a CPU and monitor, hold a few CD's and books, provide a place to prop a printer... But they're often very chaotic, and ussually don't look very good, nor are they very ergonomically sound. No place to stretch your feet, oldly constraining angles for keyboard and monitor placement, etc.
Most computer desks don't really provide much space for working. You almost always need another surface to write at, read, organize notes, file, etc... Not the best places for study.
A large flat table (or desk) invariably provides a more functional work space than most CPU/hutch desk combinations.
Get a nice big table and an adjustable chair. Put shelves on the wall, or a suitable bookcase near the desk. Clamp a good lamp to one corner of the desk. Put the Monitor on a CPU arm (clamped to the other corner of the desk) Hang the CPU under the table, and maybe get a good quality keyboard tray (telescoping) Granted this set-up is a little expensive, but it works. For your printer, you can get a rolling file cart to put off to the side or perhaps a CPU cart/printer cart if you don't want to hang the CPU under the table. If you choose smartly on the bookcase you can get a unit that'll take your printer and paper, and a scanner and forgo the file cart altogether.
Isn't it cool how the new iMac eliminates the need for a monitor arm, and CPU hanger? If I had one I'd just put it on the corner opposite the lamp and swing the LCD over as needed. Lovely, like siblings, the luxo style lamp on one side and the iMac on the other!
Yeah, but you can't generalize like that. Not everyone needs the big flat area, not everyone needs "study" room, or a place to write, take notes, read, etc.
I bought my desk knowing how I work, what I had (no peripherals, except for a silly Zip drive), no need for file/paper storage, etc.
Just a place to put some CDs maybe. My old iMac was nice on this desk, but my new one is a blast. Very clean, no clutter.
That's how I work and live.
But we're all different and have different working styles and space/set-up requirements.
I honestly think that in a situation like this (desks, for crying out loud) there can be no right or wrong, or "yours sucks!".
Those who don't like it, you're not even USING it, so what do you care? It's not YOUR ergonomics, working habits and set-up being affected.
Those of you who DO like it, cool. $99, Office Depot.
This is the last thing I'm mentioning about this stupid desk.
<strong>I think mine functions quite well. Depends on where you have it...
I can reach behind myself easily and get a CD or whatever from a bookshelf that is only a couple of feet from the desk. I also have a window behind the desk, so any high shelves would ruin that view...
But seriously, shelves on the wall are a good idea. Dunno about having windows there...I hope those blinds block sunlight when they need to pretty well. Lots of sun and LCDs just don't mix.
I had the Mac on the desk on the left side, but I quickly lost hearing in that ear. Way too frickin loud to leave on the desk. (I don't know how people can stand it...)
Except that the keyboard shelf is often a poor substitute for a proper work surface.
The problem with computer desks is they're often constraining. Look at your keyboard, off to the side like that. A larger keyboard shelf could help you, but a big flat table with a height adjustable chair would effectively give you a 5-6' wide (and about 2.5-3' deep) keyboard/mouse/tablet space. Putting the monitor on a robust adjustable arm would let you tweak it's position, and clear the rest of the work surface for better positioning of the tablet.
See, if you change out your tablet for a smaller one, the desk isn't really doing it's job, is it?It's supposed to make your tools more efficient/comfortable to use, not dictate what you can and cannot use. Poor design.
Comments
<strong>A dining room table often makes a better computer desk than most computer desks.</strong><hr></blockquote>
If you are interested in disorganization and clutter...I prefer to have shelves, and a place to put some CDs that I use more often...
Enough already.
Jeez.
It's the thing that's ON the desk we should all be talking about!
<strong>Okay, when did this thread turn into a debate about my goddamn desk?
Enough already.
Jeez.
It's the thing that's ON the desk we should all be talking about!
Yes....it's very awesome and the screen is quite movable...and it just screams for light hued wood and black steel pipes...
Okay.
<strong>Hey, not all flat desks are shitty looking...
Yet all of them are as functionless as a dining table...and suited to being little else.
I can reach behind myself easily and get a CD or whatever from a bookshelf that is only a couple of feet from the desk. I also have a window behind the desk, so any high shelves would ruin that view...
Different needs for different situations.
[ 03-28-2002: Message edited by: murbot ]</p>
Most computer desks don't really provide much space for working. You almost always need another surface to write at, read, organize notes, file, etc... Not the best places for study.
A large flat table (or desk) invariably provides a more functional work space than most CPU/hutch desk combinations.
Get a nice big table and an adjustable chair. Put shelves on the wall, or a suitable bookcase near the desk. Clamp a good lamp to one corner of the desk. Put the Monitor on a CPU arm (clamped to the other corner of the desk) Hang the CPU under the table, and maybe get a good quality keyboard tray (telescoping) Granted this set-up is a little expensive, but it works. For your printer, you can get a rolling file cart to put off to the side or perhaps a CPU cart/printer cart if you don't want to hang the CPU under the table. If you choose smartly on the bookcase you can get a unit that'll take your printer and paper, and a scanner and forgo the file cart altogether.
Isn't it cool how the new iMac eliminates the need for a monitor arm, and CPU hanger? If I had one I'd just put it on the corner opposite the lamp and swing the LCD over as needed. Lovely, like siblings, the luxo style lamp on one side and the iMac on the other!
I bought my desk knowing how I work, what I had (no peripherals, except for a silly Zip drive), no need for file/paper storage, etc.
Just a place to put some CDs maybe. My old iMac was nice on this desk, but my new one is a blast. Very clean, no clutter.
That's how I work and live.
But we're all different and have different working styles and space/set-up requirements.
I honestly think that in a situation like this (desks, for crying out loud) there can be no right or wrong, or "yours sucks!".
Those who don't like it, you're not even USING it, so what do you care? It's not YOUR ergonomics, working habits and set-up being affected.
Those of you who DO like it, cool. $99, Office Depot.
This is the last thing I'm mentioning about this stupid desk.
<strong>Hey, not all flat desks are shitty looking...
That's true... I love your desk murbot.
<strong>I think mine functions quite well. Depends on where you have it...
I can reach behind myself easily and get a CD or whatever from a bookshelf that is only a couple of feet from the desk. I also have a window behind the desk, so any high shelves would ruin that view...
Different needs for different situations.
[ 03-28-2002: Message edited by: murbot ]</strong><hr></blockquote>
Man, you own a Mac, don't set it on the floor!
But seriously, shelves on the wall are a good idea. Dunno about having windows there...I hope those blinds block sunlight when they need to pretty well. Lots of sun and LCDs just don't mix.
I had the Mac on the desk on the left side, but I quickly lost hearing in that ear.
Anyway... I don't want to hijack Paul's thread.
[ 03-28-2002: Message edited by: murbot ]</p>
Look at my desk and you will know why I always want keyboard shelf
I wish it could be even wider
A big flat table with the G4 strapped underneath would give you that extra room you crave.
OTOH, Paul is right about whatever works for you.
It's very hard to find a desk with a wide enough keyboard shelf to hold the keyboard, tablet, and mouse pad nicely
The solution maybe going out to get a smaller tablet. But I don't want to....
[ 03-28-2002: Message edited by: Leonis ]</p>
The problem with computer desks is they're often constraining. Look at your keyboard, off to the side like that. A larger keyboard shelf could help you, but a big flat table with a height adjustable chair would effectively give you a 5-6' wide (and about 2.5-3' deep) keyboard/mouse/tablet space. Putting the monitor on a robust adjustable arm would let you tweak it's position, and clear the rest of the work surface for better positioning of the tablet.
What is "Something never said by Milton Bearle's wife".
See, if you change out your tablet for a smaller one, the desk isn't really doing it's job, is it?It's supposed to make your tools more efficient/comfortable to use, not dictate what you can and cannot use. Poor design.