Desk Upgrade recommendations

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matepoon

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#270028 20-Apr-2020 12:53

Hi there,

as it looks like I may be WFH for a fair bit of time to come I want to upgrade my desk at home.

List of requirements:

- Able to hold double monitor arm.

- Room for laptop (possibly docking station), full size KB, Mouse.

- 1800 MM wide.

- Not too garish (ie; Neon Gamerz)

- I will be doing some gaming on this (in contradiction to the last requirement).

- Cable management.

- Solid construction.

- Under $500.

This ticks most of the boxes:

https://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/gorilla-gaming-desk-champion/31927843

Except for the looks.

Has anyone got any other suggestions?

(I'm not a standing desk person)

thanks

Matt

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#2466126 20-Apr-2020 13:02

I am in a similar situation to yourself, though for me its hopefully more permanent (job offer for a work from home IT role). I've been looking for desks!

This one may suit your needs and budget: https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/DSKLCK1401/Loctek-ET114E-1400x700mm-White-Ergonomic-Standing

Im after something a bit smaller (limited space for it). So have different requirements, therefore most I'm looking at dont meet your criteria. One above does.

Edit: This is the type of place I've been looking at (few here that might tick your boxes): https://www.officefurniturewarehouse.co.nz/collections/straight-desks

matepoon

21 posts

Geek

#2466131 20-Apr-2020 13:09

Thanks @nzkc.

I briefly scanned through the pbtech desks a few mins ago. Although I want to avoid paying the extra cost associated with a standing desk when I won't use that feature.

Also just came across the other site you mentioned.

Let me know if you come across any other good sites. :)

I might just pull the trigger on the MA desk, as it does fulfill most of my requirements

I do, in normal times, WFH maybe... one day a week.

nzkc

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#2466134 20-Apr-2020 13:13

Warehouse Stationery have a reasonable range.

Other places I have looked at (in no particular order and with no bias towards if I liked their offerings or not):

www.officefurniturewarehouse.co.nz
www.officemax.co.nz
www.mocka.co.nz (to be honest this is a bit more home than office...in the Ikea vein I guess)

Jase2985

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#2466158 20-Apr-2020 13:44

we have one of these:

https://www.warehousestationery.co.nz/product/W2252319.html

its been good, cable management is just some 3m hooks around the back and some valcro cable ties but it does the trick.

meesham

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#2466167 20-Apr-2020 13:56

nzkc:

This one may suit your needs and budget: https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/DSKLCK1401/Loctek-ET114E-1400x700mm-White-Ergonomic-Standing

I had that desk at my last job and wouldn't recommend it if there's any chance you'll use it while standing. When seated it was fine, but when the desk was up it was a unstable and my monitors (on arms) would shake when I was typing. I've had standing desks before and it was by far the cheapest feeling desk I've used, probably because it was the cheapest desk I've used...

dejadeadnz

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#2466318 20-Apr-2020 15:09

If you want some shelves plus a desk, the Ikea Kallax and Limon desk combo (They have a desk that is 1.75 metres in width) could be a good option. Google for some examples of how they are combined but not all Ikea parallel importers sell the clamps required. If memory serves, Swedish Furniture in Newmarket (Auckland) sell them for about $10. We have this combo for one of our studies.

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matepoon

21 posts

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#2466415 20-Apr-2020 16:42

dejadeadnz:

If you want some shelves plus a desk, the Ikea Kallax and Limon desk combo (They have a desk that is 1.75 metres in width) could be a good option. Google for some examples of how they are combined but not all Ikea parallel importers sell the clamps required. If memory serves, Swedish Furniture in Newmarket (Auckland) sell them for about $10. We have this combo for one of our studies.

I actually have a Kallax unit in this room right now, it's my audio/record storage.

The Kallax/Limon combo would actually be a great idea, however, I don't think it suits the room layout. I'd need to have the desk jutting out across the room, rather than against a wall.

Which would show the cable mess at the back of the desk, and be a bit weird with my monitor stand and monitors I think.

Really appreciate the suggestion though. The Ikea style is more what I'm after. I'm so Fight Club. 😁

mrdrifter

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#2466426 20-Apr-2020 16:55

Another option that may work for you - I purchased a 2200mm long wooden bench top from Bunnings. Cut to the length I needed for my available space. I sanded the edges a bit smoother than the original and gave a beeswax coating which I let soak in and then polished back so it's no longer tacky. Finally then screwed on 5 Ikea adjustable height legs from UrbanSales in Auckland 5th leg is in the centre at the back to ensure no chance of sag with the monitor arms.

This holds all of the items you described including dual monitor arms, but it is lacking cable management. Total price ~$200 and high WAF.

I think this was the benchtop I used. - https://www.bunnings.co.nz/interbuild-2200-x-600-x-26mm-acacia-solid-oiled-hardwood-benchtop-panel_p8330032.

nzkc

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#2466521 20-Apr-2020 18:31

Can we get some images of that please!

Dial111

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#2466555 20-Apr-2020 19:24

mrdrifter:

Another option that may work for you - I purchased a 2200mm long wooden bench top from Bunnings. Cut to the length I needed for my available space. I sanded the edges a bit smoother than the original and gave a beeswax coating which I let soak in and then polished back so it's no longer tacky. Finally then screwed on 5 Ikea adjustable height legs from UrbanSales in Auckland 5th leg is in the centre at the back to ensure no chance of sag with the monitor arms.

This holds all of the items you described including dual monitor arms, but it is lacking cable management. Total price ~$200 and high WAF.

I think this was the benchtop I used. - https://www.bunnings.co.nz/interbuild-2200-x-600-x-26mm-acacia-solid-oiled-hardwood-benchtop-panel_p8330032.

I priced up that exact bench top with two sets of drawers and some furniture legs to sit in between just before lock down and total was $232, throw another $20 at it for a leg to prop the centre up and that's a pretty decent desk setup.

mrdrifter

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#2466558 20-Apr-2020 19:25

Not great pictures, due to lighting etc... sorry, but they give the idea hopefully. The monitors are offset to the right at the moment for personal preference to working across the monitors. Plus I'm considering retiring the 24, making the 27 a secondary and moving to a bigger primary. I had to work with the space I have - shared office space - the printer off to the left is where the sewing machine is normally located when school isn't home based (the printer is getting more use than normal).

The Ikea legs are twist lock which I was worried about for a bit, but they have held up really well, no sliding issues or anything. I should probably get around to removing the stickers off them. I now need to get the cables tidied up.

Close up of the timber as well.

I have considered getting a keyboard/mouse pad to sit under it, but haven't decided yet.

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dejadeadnz

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#2466619 20-Apr-2020 20:38

matepoon:

I actually have a Kallax unit in this room right now, it's my audio/record storage.

The Kallax/Limon combo would actually be a great idea, however, I don't think it suits the room layout. I'd need to have the desk jutting out across the room, rather than against a wall.

Which would show the cable mess at the back of the desk, and be a bit weird with my monitor stand and monitors I think.

Really appreciate the suggestion though. The Ikea style is more what I'm after. I'm so Fight Club. 😁

The lack of cable management is a serious oversight by Ikea IMO. In our case we just chose to tolerate the ugliness as the overall utility and value of the Kallax/Limon combo was just unbeatable. Good luck with your search :)

quickymart

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#2466621 20-Apr-2020 20:41

Would love to replace my desk one day soon too, but mine has a few storage shelves, a cupboard and spaces for the PC on both sides. I bought it from The Warehouse in 2007 and it's served me very well, but I'd like to get a bigger version that has all the above and enough space for two monitors...but I'm yet to find one :(

tomgeeknz

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#2466645 20-Apr-2020 21:40

https://www.workfromhomedesks.co.nz/

Haven't used their desk product, but these guys supplied us a bunch of other items in a different world pre-COVID. Quality is great, worth a look, manufactured in Cambridge. Not quite the size you are looking for, but the addon shelfs might suffice.

Scott3

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#2466701 20-Apr-2020 22:28

The first two desks are 1400mm wide, where the requirements list called for 1800mm.

Unless you are constrained for space, I would insist on the initially called for 1800mm width. More desk space is always better in my opinion (That said, I currently have two 27" monitors, a laptop in a dock and two speaker on a 1200mm wide desk).

Personally if I could find something to fit my decor, I would get a used desk, and save the difference with your budget.

$200: https://www.trademe.co.nz/business-farming-industry/office-furniture/office-desks/straight/listing-2589875358.htm

Measure the height of your current desk / work-surface, and compare to what you are going to purchase. There can be a bit of variation that can be quite important for ergonomic's. (especially if you are very tall/short)

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