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A Desk That Allows You to Stand or Sit

nytimes.com

21–30 of 106 posts

Re: A Desk That Allows You to Stand or Sit

#21
I've been using the steelcase airtouch adjustable desk for about 3 months and I can tell you that it has made a huge impact on my workday. This desk has improved my productivity significantly because I'm no longer bothered my my back or by the low desk/high chair combo I was confined to.

It's not just the standing that helps-it's the ability to switch back and forth easily. Before this desk, I could feel my back start to tighten up after about 3/4 of my work day. Now when I feel a twinge of a backache, I switch to a standing position and things feel much better. Another underrated benefit of the desk is the ability to change its height while I'm sitting. In the cases when I either lean lower and sit straighter than usual, this desk allows me to move the monitor to eye level without much effort, thus preventing neck aches.

One problem with the steelcase, however, is that it doesn't go high enough. I have a colleague that is 6'2" and he finds that the standing height of the desk is too low for his tastes. I'm shorter than he is, so this isn't as big of a problem for me. Now if only I could afford to buy one of these for home.....

edited: clarity

Re: A Desk That Allows You to Stand or Sit

#22
post #4

I'd like to get one, but at $750, it is way too expensive!

My reaction too. What's the cheapest, non-sucky option anybody has used?

I work standing with my laptop on top of a chrome wire shelf:

http://www.theshelvingstore.com/Chrome_Wire_Shelving_s/34.ht...

They are available in a bunch of depths and heights and are easy to adjust. You probably won't be moving them up and down multiple times during the day, but can configure it to a comfortable height. They run about $100.

Re: A Desk That Allows You to Stand or Sit

#24
post #18
post #16

An inner-tube accident as a teenager left Mr. McNutt with a bad back. I wish they had elaborated a little more about this tantalizing nugget. Inner-tube rafting, blowout on a bike,... ?

These stories always make me think it's fabricated PR. Sit/stand tables existed before the geekdesk, but a story like this is of course good marketing.

I don't know, he seems like a stand-up guy to me...

Re: A Desk That Allows You to Stand or Sit

#27
post #8

Is this newsworthy? Where I work, all desks are motorized. Some even store up to three different heights, for easy access without fiddling to get the right height.

Where do you work (city and industry if you can't share employer)?

Despite reading more about motor-adjustable desks the last few years, I've not yet seen one in a workplace.

Re: A Desk That Allows You to Stand or Sit

#28
post #6
post #4

I'd like to get one, but at $750, it is way too expensive!

Preventing a bad back (and numerous other health benefits) seem to be worth at least that amount.

The desk only kind of addresses the main problem though: being too stationary. That problem can be solved entirely, and for free.

Re: A Desk That Allows You to Stand or Sit

#29
post #8

Is this newsworthy? Where I work, all desks are motorized. Some even store up to three different heights, for easy access without fiddling to get the right height.

Oh yeah? Where I work, we have cotton candy and ferris wheels instead of email. (Yes, it's news to some of us.)

That's surprising, to me at least. Here in Norway, desks like this are fairly ordinary. I've had one for a few years, and I've got no complaints. I'll be honest, though-- I probably only have it in the standing position once every month or two.

Re: A Desk That Allows You to Stand or Sit

#30
post #4

I'd like to get one, but at $750, it is way too expensive!

My reaction too. What's the cheapest, non-sucky option anybody has used?

How about two desks, monitors, and a wireless keyboard/mouse? Just today I was thinking of setting this up for my office.
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