Create A Simple Standing Desk For $20

@jason, this is not one of your better posts. But you do have a reputation for fantastically detailed posts.

qrius

@Movado: i don't know, i bring tons of stuff to the school labs with me, and i'm fine. we only have about a foot on either side of the computer and a foot in front of us on the desk. i could use more, but it doesn't feel like torture.

Personally, I thought this was brilliant. And since I already HAVE one of these racks in my office, I walked over and tried it. Fantastic! Adding a large cutting board to the top gave me a smooth working surface, and tossing one of those plastic desk organizers into the tray below the top made a simple and elegant place for pens and other office stuff. I now spend a couple hours each day working at the standing desk, which has reduced a lot of the back and butt pain I used to suffer even with out rather expensive office chairs... Great solution!

RutherfordCachondo

@Aaron Mathison: Why would you use a mouse? It's an Apple product, christened by Steve himself.

If you want to right click you just mash the trackpad with your palm and tap morse code "---...---" into the button.

INTUITIVE!

johnsmith1234

@virgilstar: I think the trick is that while we know all the damage you do yourself with excessive standing/heavy labor (because humans have usually hurt themselves throughout history doing these things), it wasn't until very very recently that not only were large populations doing their work seated, and could compare/contrast it.

Also, considering lying down and standing are similar positions compared to the angle of sitting, there is something to the idea that "being bent at a 90 degree angle for hours at a time will cause issues," I think.

The only problem with this solution is that you'll be bending over to look at the monitor if the keyboard is at the right height. In order to have an ergonomic standing setup you'll need to find a stand that can accommodate a separate monitor as well...

@virgilstar:

I would suspect that the incidence of orthopedic problems is higher among people who stand all day at work vs. those who sit all day. One interesting recent discovery--after years of being urged to sit up straight--is that it's healthier to slouch if you've got a sit-down job. [www.rsna.org]

drlith

@virgilstar: I have a very sedentary lifestyle and spend 14-16 hours a day in front of my computer and I've never had any issues related to it (no carpel tunnel, no aches or pains).

@gregburkman: Now all you need is a decent sized monitor to connect to that MacBook..

Kind of impractical if you're using a desktop system.

Try that again: [twitpic.com]

gregburkman

Or for $45, you can have a real desk to put your $2000 laptop on: [twitpic.com]

gregburkman

That's not a "simple standing desk." It's a laptop on a cheap wire shelf.

ShachiFalcon

Am I the only person who doesn't get this whole stand-up desk fad?

I can see that, for some people with specific issues such as chronic back pain or carpal tunnel syndrome, it might help. For the rest of us who have no such problems, lead an otherwise healthy lifestyle, and get up from the desk every hour or so to walk around, what's all the fuss about? Sitting down works just fine - if it ain't broke why change it? Gimme a good ergonomic chair any day.

In fact, I find the opposite often works best - having a sofa in the office. My work involves a lot of reading so I grab your papers and lie down on the sofa to do some reading, only sitting up to the desk when the computer is required.

If you're going to do a proper stand up work environment you need more than just a laptop stand.

I tried just raising my monitor/keyboard at one point, but unless all you do is type and nothing else, you'll hurt your back more every time you need to lean over your actual desk to write down a note or something... which sort of defeats the purpose.

While I keep a bar-stool nearby for leaning against while on the phone or something, I've had a stand up desk for almost four months now and stand probably 99% of the time.

Yes, you need a good cushion to stand on. Home Depot sells anti-fatigue mats like are used in restaurant kitchens and such (3ft square) for about $20.

Also, you need a good pair of shoes, with inserts wouldn't hurt. All that pressure you were putting on your rear before is now all on your feet.

mcnee

@Jason Fitzpatrick: Look for grocery/liquor stores closing up, especially if it's a chain. The cleaners don't know the value of them sometimes.

You could save about $15 more if you went to you nearby Salavation Army and grabbed something like an old card catalog file or something. If you like this approach, might as well adapt it a little more and gain some added functionality.

I had to look twice. At first I though "That's a standing desk?" Then I noticed the router and coffee mug.

jupiterthunder

I still think this article was written today just so they could make a "hidden" 420.

"for $20"

jermscentral

$20?

Walgreens, adjustable height laptop stand... $20 normally, but right now they are 30% off.

Mike Altamore

@Emil: Egggggggzactly! lol

@PhilESkyline: Because nothing can be good unless it costs money, right?

Yeah small desks are all cute and fine until you actually have to sit down and work at one, anything less than 5 feet is cruel and unusual punishment. No room for coffee, no room for iphone or a piece of paper or a pen. Forget about it!!! NEXT!

Movado

Or, you could just buy one at Walmart for $24.00

barry505

I set up a system so I won't have to keep moving the laptop between desks...

The laptop is on the standing desk and is VNC'd into the desktop. That way both have the same (desktop) screen and I can jump up or down as much as needed.

Another way is to have the desks near each other and have a monitor, keyboard and mouse at the sitting position connected to the laptop. For standing use the laptop itself.

Which to use depends on how much equipment you have sitting around and which pc is primary.

aeronaut

@Bryan: That rack/wire shelf could probably hold more weight than any desk could. Stability might be an issue though.

Great Idea and nice simple solution. Well done!

Stephanie Wagner

You spend $1,000 for a decent laptop because you need that level to do the work well. You spend $20 on a wirerack, or $5.00 for scrap wood, because that is the level you need to do the work. It doesn't matter what it looks like or what it costs--as long as it does the job.

A lady I work with never found anything that worked better than a specific cardboard-and-wood configuration. As a health and safety rep, I offered to look into purchasing an ergonomic desk or desk facility, but as she insisted that this contraption was the perfect thing for her, how can I argue. She knows her back and neck better than I, and good for her to determine what works best for her. I commend dawn's ingenuity as well.

Cornflower

@SpongeSteveSquareDave_GitEmSteveDave: I could only be so lucky to see Metro racks being tossed. *crosses his fingers for the day he find an entire dumpster full*

@FЯeeMan: I have carpet and cushioned shoes. I also alternate - 30 min standing and 30 min sitting to keep my body from getting to accustomed to either position.

geekygirldawn

@Wit: On a related note... years ago I had a rack similar to the one shown in the picture above. The only difference was mine was about 2ft on a side and counter height. I'm sure I have it somewhere... it would make great standing desk/printer stand.

Ah Metro racks, how awesome are ye? Every time I see a Metro rack behind a store that they are tossing, I grab it as fast as I can. I had to put them together before, so it's not that hard to break them down quickly. Usually it's b/c one bar is bent, but a little work usually straightens it up enough to be serviceable.

So, when you work at a standing desk, do you get one of those super thick, super cushioney pads to stand on, or do you just transfer the discomfort to your feet?

Where do you put a USB mouse on such a setup?

Aaron Mathison

I don't mind spending nothing or close to nothing on a nice stand, etc. as long as it looks nice. Aesthetics are my deal-breaker, not price or lack thereof.

@Nedly: Touché!

That's like me buying a Bentley and parking it in the hood overnight. Absolutely not. Put out the money for a nice desk and stop being cheap...ooops! I mean simple lol.

My first impression after reading the headline and looking at the picture was "that's a very short standing desk... "

Ah, it goes on top of the regular desk, you say? Nice solution. Carry on.

Wit

@Bryan: It could be a $750 Macbook:

I just bought a white Macbook at MicroCenter for $999 with the upgraded internals (current spec), then got $50 off in store and a $200 rebate.

it's my first Mac and I wouldn't have bought it had those prices not been in effect. So far, it's just a laptop...

Benjamin-OG_TechDork

I created one, for around $50 using a top and separate legs from Ikea.

Dan Perlman

@Bryan: Because I watch my pennies I can afford to put $3500 wherever I choose.

Nedly

And you can cool your cookies when not in use.

Jabo_the_Mediocre

You always make me laugh, you make something for pennies, and then put a $2000 laptop on top...pffff.

@Dan Perlman: even better.... convert and old couch and coffee table into a perfectly good desk...

urbanturban666

How long can someone possibly stand and work? I mean, I guess it will be more difficult to fall asleep at the wheel, but in the long run, that's just not sustainable.

SundariFimbria

It seems people are starting to realize that standing for part of your day while working can alleviate physical pain. But to prevent those problems in the first place, create a work environment that allows you to move throughout the day. Movement helps the body share the load between muscles and ligaments, helps with blood flow to the brain and body, and keeps you productive and alert. For example, consider an adjustable height table that lets you stand for part of the day and a dynamic chair that promotes movement and multiple postures (including reclining). There’s even a product that lets you walk for part of your day while doing email, and other simple computer tasks. While these products don’t come in the $20 range, consider it a lifelong investment for your body and mind. Ken Tameling Seating General Manager, Steelcase

LianaGalute