Computer Desks and UPS's? 34
"I looked into Anthro Desks and Biomorph Desks and decided that they were out of my price range. I finally settled on Ikea's Jerker workstation (no picture available online that I have seen). Some of the things I like about it is that the height is adjustable (granted you have to take the desk apart to change that) and that I can add shelves on the side capable of holding up a 17" monitor.
I have had it a couple of weeks and like it, but wondered what solutions other people found.
In addition, what solution have Slashdot readers come up with for the hundreds of cables that currently reside under and behind computer desks everywhere?
I was also reading the article about quiet PCs and saw the reference to APC UPS's. I have been looking at them, and found that Tripp Lite UPS's tend to be cheaper and work better with the Mac OS. What experiences do Slashdot people have with different UPS's?"
Re:good morning (Score:1)
If you're in the UK... (Score:1)
I got a glass topped table from habitat [habitat.co.uk] - I think its called "AcidEtch", I then bought some trestle legs for it - whole lot came to about £250.00 for an 5ft x 2ft glass topped table. It looks gorgeous, has room for 3 machines, as well as enough room for paper etc, and doesn't take up more than its fair share of my bedroom, its almost indestructable as well - the glass is 12mm thick, and weighs a ton!. Also, the trestle legs that go with it (can't remember the name) - are L shaped, and rather skinny - ideal for strapping 4 gang adapaters to
Best of all, as its not designed as a computer desk it can be reused around the rest of the house should I ever get one of those groovy ones from ThinkGeek.
Re:If you're in the UK... (Score:1)
- Joe Ignorant American
Re:If you're in the UK... (Score:1)
same problem (Score:2, Informative)
Space-saving tips and tricks: Get rid of your speakers. Get wall- or ceiling-mounted lighting (preferably halogen track lighting; I don't care what you prefer, halogen track lighting's the best
Then, get some moist towelettes for your friends to clean themselves up with after they've stopped drooling.
Re:'Anthrax Desks'? (Score:1)
Mmhm! Yeah, I can see it now:
'Terrorists send tacky overpriced office furniture to high-ranking politicians in an effort to break their spirit by way of their decor; Warning, this news segment contains graphic images of poor interior decoration'.
i use a door & two shelving units (Score:2)
put the door on the shelf at the height you want it and make sure the shelves are strong enough
viola
even brand new desk with shelves
all for under $100 even if you buy the stuff brand new
Re:i use a door & two shelving units (Score:2)
Instead, I'm stuck with all these lame 'computer-desks' that force me to put the keyboard in one spot and put the mousepad in another. BTW, there is never enough room for the large mousepads that I use for first-person shooter games.
I unsuccessfully searched for such a desk. Somebody told me about the door idea and somebody else mentioned folding tables. He has 3+ monitors set up in a nice position on folding buffet tables.
Re:i use a door & two shelving units (Score:2)
Mouse mat - get yourself a printers cutting board, nice firm rubber surface and available in big rolls, it's cheap enough to do the whole surface of your desk. heck even linoleum is cool and you can get a funky pattern instead of that drab wood veneer
Some thoughts.. (Score:2)
And remember, $1000 in computing hardware is going to be obselete in a year or two. But $1000 in good desk hardware will last you for years and years.
I have TrippLite UPS, and it's great. Never had an APS one, so I can't comment. The only thing that APS UPS boxes may have is slightly better monitoring capabilities, depending on the model.
Go To OfficeMax (Score:1)
Re:Go To OfficeMax (Score:1)
Wall mount your monitors (Score:3, Informative)
Mounting the monitors on the wall left my entire desk surface free for papers and books. With the remaining opening in the desk, I shoehorned in two a stout UPS unit with two marine batteries coupled by 6 guage wire. I also included recessed lighting under the desk. If the power ever goes out for a long time, I'll still have lights, room to work, and play on my computer for a day or two.
Re:Wall mount your monitors (Score:1)
Would you please share the brand and model of these UPS units? I'd be interested in something that can take a marine battery. Did you modify the units to do this? Either way, please share
Re:Wall mount your monitors (Score:2)
Kitchen/Bathroom furnishings (Score:1)
HomeDepot (Score:3, Informative)
I was even considering getting a somewhat cheap computer desk for around $200, which would definately crimp my wallet for a while.
But instead, i found the perfect solution, which gave me far more space then any desk that ive seen available...
a quick trip to home depot:
I picked up a 3/4" sheet of pine, 2x6 ft. for $25
Using 2 speakers i had lying around (from an old ent center i obtained, about 30" high) i put the table on top of them, gave it a nice coat of stain..
The result: a good, sturdy desk thats currently holding 2 comps, gives me space for 2 keyboards and associated mice on the table, and i still have a foot or 2 of paper/junk space in between.
all for $30, and less time then it would take to assemble one of the desks you get from most places.
Definately a good idea for the geek on a budget.
My next step, is to build some shelves onto it, to keep my books and assorted periperals..
estimated cost: another $20 or so.
wicked computer desk... (Score:3, Interesting)
You get a hold of a large piece of thick, bevelled glass (3/4" thick.) As big as you want, but keep in mind this stuff's heavy. Then you get some cinder blocks/bricks/felt on top [so you don't scratch the glass] and you're all set.
Looks dang sharp, it's solid, never shakes, and correctly supported holds a few thousand pounds. The paine of glass was about $150, and the bricks under $1/a piece.
Here's [braunohler.net] a picture of mine, if you're interested. Good stuff.
Studio Desks (Score:1)
most studios will use 2 monitors...one for the "mixer" one for the track waveform diagrams for editing...
An extensive discussion of this topic (Score:1)
Mess of cables (Score:1)
If you buy a box of trash bags you get about 30 of 'em. Works alot better than tie wraps because you don't have to cut them and risk nicking the wires. The velcro things are way too expensive.
Banquet tables. (Score:2)
can't get easier than that.
Re:Banquet tables. (Score:2)
Cheap and easy (Score:2)
You can buy cheap 2 drawer file cabinets from any discount store for about $20. Kitchen countertop is avaliable from home improvement stores and is quite inexpensive if purchased in standard colors and lengths. I think that I got a 6' section for about $25 last year. this arrangement supports my 19" monitor, printer and stereo just fine. If you need space for another monitor you would probably want to get an 8 or 10 foot section. Overall, it's really a cheap way to get a desk and you probably needed a few file cabinets anyway.
Gotta love those IKEA names (Score:2)
Just the thing for the average computer-pr0n viewer.. it includes a special shelf to hold the box of tissues and bottle of lube, and a salad bar-style, er, "sneeze guard" to go over the keyboard. Choose from four delightful colors, or buy one "naked" and stain it yourself!
Back on topic, I too have a computer desk from IKEA. I just waltzed in there and bought the desk with the largest surface area they offered, which was about 63.0" x 29.5". Screwed a couple of the cableways they sell to the underside, and I was in business. I carefully set up all my hardware to minimize the number of cords on the floor, and I've been computing away on it since 1994. I wish it were a little sturdier, though, it needs support in the middle or it bows. Of course, that's with a Power Mac, 17" & 14" monitors and a big old SCSI scanner on it.
~Philly
I have the Jerker desk, too... (Score:1)