Current thoughts on standing desks?

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gjm

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#317685 5-Nov-2024 19:58

New employer offers an allowance for wfh kit so looking at getting a standing desk. I see a few old threads on this but wondering if there are any current recommendations / avoid at all costs / general guidance that anyone can offer?

Prob dont want to spend more than $800 - $900 dollars unless there is serious value for money to be had.

Thanks for any input :)

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#3305722 5-Nov-2024 20:39

Had them at my last employer.

I liked to stand for phone calls / virtual meetings (and if colleagues came to disuses something with me, so we were all standing, not them leaning over me...), and sit for basically everything else.

Get one with presets so a single button press can send the desk to your preferred sitting to standing height

Might not be such an issue at home, but the buttons on mine were in a super common place for peoples torso's to brush against while they were talking to me, which would send my desk to a different preset...

I imagine these are old / common enough now that there is a decent range of ex corporate desks on the used market.

nzkc

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#3305724 5-Nov-2024 20:50

Recently bought one of these: https://www.officefurniturewarehouse.co.nz/products/rise-electric-height-adjustable-straight-desk (currently on sale)

Have bought a regular desk from them before (2 actually) and was happy with the quality of those. So went back to them when after a standing desk. Super happy with my purchase (and I bought not on sale). Fast quiet action. 3 memory settings too. Thoroughly recommend.

Dynamic

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#3305727 5-Nov-2024 20:59

I purchased seven of these for our office 2 years ago. They feel to me like good quality and I've heard zero complaints. Stand Desk Entry - Bamboo - Stand Desk NZ. The couriers damaged one desk top and the replacement process was quick and easy. The setup video online is easy to follow and 97% of it is a one person job. Rolling the assembled desk onto its feet can be done by one person but two people is better.

I have a cheaper set of legs with a DIY top for my desk at home and the controller has some small annoyances. I'd not buy that set again.

Edit - I chose bamboo tops so if there is any damage I expect they can be easily sanded and re-varnished. Also, there are fittings on the underside of the desk top so there is no drilling etc required. All done with the included Allen Key.

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gjm

808 posts

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#3305872 6-Nov-2024 11:50

ok thanks guys, I think Ill try one of those bamboo ones as they seem to have a lot of good feedback over the years and I like the colour.

Any thoughts on size? Do you wish you went bigger or smaller? I have 2 24" screens on a monitor arm and usually a laptop or two on the desk with normal mice, keyboard lamp etc

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mkissin

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#3305899 6-Nov-2024 13:21

gjm:

Any thoughts on size? Do you wish you went bigger or smaller? I have 2 24" screens on a monitor arm and usually a laptop or two on the desk with normal mice, keyboard lamp etc

I don't recall ever thinking "I wish my desk was smaller".

ANglEAUT

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#3306135 6-Nov-2024 20:19

mkissin:
gjm: ... I have 2 24" screens on a monitor arm and usually a laptop or two on the desk with normal mice, keyboard lamp etc

I don't recall ever thinking "I wish my desk was smaller".

I agree with mkissin. 2x 24" monitors fill the width of a 1.2m desk. An open laptop will have to be either above or below the 2 monitors. 1.5m long might be OK for everyday use, but what happens if you get the extra switch / laptop / ??? that you need to troubleshoot or configure?

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Geektastic

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#3306196 6-Nov-2024 20:58

Got one that goes up and down. It’s never been up.

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Dynamic

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#3306312 7-Nov-2024 04:04

Geektastic: Got one that goes up and down. It’s never been up.

I'd encourage you to give 'up' a go for a little while. My desk is up for 15-30 mins once or twice a day, and I find the posture change has a positive impact on my day.

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billgates

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#3306323 7-Nov-2024 07:30

I have had the Standdesk birchwood plywood in black colour for 1.5 years with castors add on and desk power supply accessory and it has been great. I see they have now launched a pro version and a cheaper entry level version as well. Difference between all 3 seems to be only the speed of legs going up or down which one would not be doing all that often so I would go for the entry level version. I am sure there will be a sale on Black friday which is not too far off.

https://standdesk.nz/product/stand-desk-essential-birch-plywood/

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Geektastic

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#3306472 7-Nov-2024 09:51

Dynamic:
Geektastic: Got one that goes up and down. It’s never been up.

I'd encourage you to give 'up' a go for a little while. My desk is up for 15-30 mins once or twice a day, and I find the posture change has a positive impact on my day.

Being semi retired means I probably only spend between 30 minutes and an hour using the desk anyway! It’s more a junk storage facility…, don’t tell my wife I said that.

mkissin

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#3306545 7-Nov-2024 10:44

billgates:

I have had the Standdesk birchwood plywood in black colour for 1.5 years with castors add on and desk power supply accessory and it has been great. I see they have now launched a pro version and a cheaper entry level version as well. Difference between all 3 seems to be only the speed of legs going up or down which one would not be doing all that often so I would go for the entry level version. I am sure there will be a sale on Black friday which is not too far off.

https://standdesk.nz/product/stand-desk-essential-birch-plywood/

I also have one of these desks (the Essential in Birch Ply). I've been very happy with it as a desk, but I also got a bunch of accessories which were much less good. In particular, the CPU holder was hot garbage and they had a wee under-desk drawer (which they may not even sell anymore) which was pretty gammy.

kohohuta

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#3306605 7-Nov-2024 13:57

I got the Gorilla gaming standing desk similar to this: https://www.mightyape.co.nz/mn/buy/mighty-ape-gorilla-office-2-stage-motorised-height-adjustable-desk-whiterustic-brown-1400-x-600mm-38429746/ (cannot find the actual desk anymore) for home office.

While I find it's okay, it's on the smaller side vs the desk I got in the office. Depending on what you do with it, you may want to get the largest desk you can fit within your space.

I find it's usable to set it to "up" when trying to show other people something on your monitor (vs you sitting down and they stand beside you)

ushare99

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#3306617 7-Nov-2024 14:35

Chiming in to vouch for Deskbird. I purchased mine a few months ago and I love it! They look great and are extremely sturdy too. Awesome customer service as well, would recommend!

Jaxson

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#3306626 7-Nov-2024 15:01

I have the unofurniture evolve-electric-standing-desk

would easily recommend. Get the extended height range one though as it's a bit faster.
Dual motors, long warranty etc. Basically commercial in nature.

Solid/reliable.

Cost a bit but has been bullet proof so far.

Cable management will become your next issue. I've done well with simple cable wrap and a usb hub monitor cutting down the amount of cables.

Everything on your desk will need a cable though. As I look around left to right: Laptop, Speaker power and connection wire left to right, wired keyboard from PC underneath, streaming light, web came, monitor, alexa show, desk lamp, plus a bunch of usb dongles etc. It's everywhere and needs to be managed as the desk goes up and down.

gjm

808 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3306670 7-Nov-2024 16:32

thanks for the replies everyone, appreciate the feedback. Good call about waiting to black friday sales, will hold off for a week or two and see what comes along.

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