OneLessDesk and Other Hot Computer Desks — Special Issue
By Neil J. Squillante
Hundreds of years ago some tall guy built the first desk. He decided on 30 inches as a good height. A good idea for him, but not so good for shorter people and just plain awful for tall and short people alike who use a computer.
Whatever the real story, most desks have remained fixed at 30 inches high even though experts recommend lower heights for computer use. Instead of reducing desk height, however, manufacturers offer a keyboard tray option. But keyboard trays are like a studio apartment — extremely cramped.
Big box retailers sell computer desks at lower heights, but they tend to consist of cheap particle boards and look about as sleek and stylish as a Honda Element. Perish the thought of placing one of these eyesores in your corner office or home.
Of course, consumers — including law firms — are partly to blame for continuing to purchase the same old, same old. Notwithstanding this vicious cycle, several furniture companies — Heckler Design, Offi, Topdeq, BioMorph, Anthro, and Holmris Hansen — have decided enough is enough. In this special edition of TechnoLawyer NewsWire we explore the offerings of these forward-thinking companies.
HECKLER DESIGN: ONELESSDESK
Heckler Design's new OneLessDesk seems like a misnomer upon first glance as it consists of two desks. However, this pair of minimalist brushed steel desks that work in tandem with each other consume about half as much space as a traditional desk.
Measuring 30.5 inches high, 33.5 inches wide, and 12.5 inches deep, the higher desk is designed for your monitor (or monitors — two 24 inch monitors will fit). The upper desk also contains a semi-hidden shelf and cable management system. Measuring 25.5 inches high, 30 inches wide, and 11.5 deep, the lower desk accommodates your keyboard, mouse, and papers (letter size will fit perfectly flush).
Both desks have glides on the feet to preserve your flooring and make it easy to slide the lower desk under the higher desk, transforming it into a credenza or sofa table. Because steel is stronger than wood, OneLessDesk is less than an inch thick, further reducing its footprint. OneLessDesk sells for $899. Learn more about OneLessDesk.
Update: May 12, 2008: Read our review of OneLessDesk.
OFFI: D2 POCKET DESK
Like OneLessDesk, but need more space? Offi's D2 Pocket Desk offers a similar concept, but keeps one foot firmly planted in the past.
Made of wood (cherry, maple, or wenge), this desk measures 30 inches high, 60 inches wide, and 30 inches deep. However, it also features a pull-out keyboard drawer 26.75 inches high that runs the entire width of the desk, providing ample room for your mouse and papers.
Two grommets and a hidden drawer on the back of the desk facilitate cable management. Wheels enable you to easily move it around or out of sight. D2 Pocket Desk sells for $1,499. Learn more about D2 Pocket Desk.
TOPDEQ: GO-2
If someone ever admonishes you to get off your butt and do something, what better comeback than to do exactly that. With Topdeq's GO-2 desk, you can work sitting down or standing up thanks to its adjustable height.
You can adjust the height from 27 to 46.5 inches electronically with the press of a button or manually with a hand crank. Of course, you cannot change the width or depth of the desk. These remain fixed at 63x31.5 inches (regular) or 71x35.5 inches (extra large).
You can equip your GO-2 desk with a matching freestanding storage unit — either three drawers (one file size) or four drawers (none file size). For the desk and the storage, you can choose from light beech or gray. Pricing starts at $1,504 for a regular GO-2 desk with a hand crank. Learn more about GO-2.
GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT: BIOMORPH DESKS
While most furniture makers may experiment with one unconventional desk design, Ground Support Equipment has built its entire business around such designs and offers eight different desks.
Every desk shares the same split-level design — the lower level for your keyboard and mouse and the upper level for your monitors and gear. You can adjust both the upper and lower portions of the desk. The models differ in size and shape and accompanying accessories.
For example, the Level model works best against a wall thanks to its linear design. It comes in four widths. The Pro model offers a massive amount of desk real estate for those who want to use two or more monitors while the Multi model offers a similar amount of space for those who want wraparound wings on their left and right. By contrast, the XO2 and Exo models are much more compact and suitable for home use.
All Biomorph desks come standard in welded steel, but you can add a wood finish at an additional cost. Prices range from $430 for the XO2 to $1,995 for the Pro. Learn more about Biomorph desks.
ANTHRO: ANTHROBENCH, ANTHROCART, FIT, ENOOK, ADJUSTABLE LAPTOP CART
Anthro, the grandaddy of computer desk makers, offers no fewer than five product families as well as some unique solutions.
The AnthroBench line features height-adjustable desks best suited for IT departments and other "heavy" applications. The flagship AnthroCart line features the most desk sizes and accessories. The Fit System best suits home use as it offers lots of color options, cable management, and better looks than the other lines.
Among Anthro's "unique solutions" is the eNook, a fold-out desk reminiscent of a murphy bed, and the Adjustable Laptop Cart for using your laptop just about anywhere.
Anthro's desks generally cost hundreds rather than thousands of dollars, but the build-to-order process in which you can add hundreds of accessories such as drawers can add to the cost. Learn more about Anthro desks.
HOLMRIS HANSEN: MILK
Scandinavia saved the world from the club chair with its sleek, modern furniture designs. Now Holmris Hansen wants to save us all from the executive desk with its MILK computer desk.
Set on an aluminum pedestal, MILK measures 55.125 inches wide and 25.25 inches deep. You can adjust the height electronically from 28.7 to 48.4 inches.
MILK subscribes to the theory that your desk should hold a lot but show almost nothing. Grommets and a cable management system hide all wires. The desk is quite thick for a reason. The front features a slot built into the desk for papers.
On the top of the desk, four pockets that open on the top and bottom enable you to do just about anything. For example, you can install a fish tank or a trash can suspended in air. Most people will probably use these pockets for more mundane items like supplies. Learn more about MILK.
ADDENDUM: ONE MORE DESK
Fellow ultimate desk seeker and TechnoLawyer member John Starkweather emailed us about another unique desk — Steelcase's airtouch height-adjustable desk. Also, I bought a OneLessDesk for my home. Stay tuned for my review and unboxing photos.
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