Computer desk becomes the necessary part of your house or office interior. And it is not just a place for computer but a desk for work with all necessary shelves and cases. That’s why you should select desk with full responsibility. You should not make examples of people who buy the first desk they see which matches the desired color. Not only the color of the desk is important but its convenience, design of the model that handles additional office equipment (e.g. printer), quality of desk materials etc.
computer desk models
Before selecting the specific computer desk model you should decide where you are going to place it. It can be placed near the wall and then the rectangular shape of the desk will do. Or you may need a corner computer desk for compact installation at the corner of your room. In any case good computer desk models should provide the comfortable working place. The area of the working surface must be wide enough so not only a could be placed on it on the required distance from your eyes, but you could also work with papers and documents if necessary. The semicircular cut in the working surface is very convenient because it increases the area you can reach, i.e. you will not have to stretch to reach out for many things on your desk. The shelf for keyboard is the necessary part of any computer desk and it must place the area right under the working surface, such placement economizes a lot of working area. The shelf is not always designed as a sliding one; it is convenient only in those cases when the room is enough for it. In some computer desk models there are sliding shelves for computer mouses (such models are interesting for those who does not use mouse very often). You must pay attention to the presence of the additional shelf for the computer case. There also should be a separate place for printer and scanner especially if you are going to purchase them.
Free space for legs under the table is also a very important part of the computer desk model’s design. The ability to sit comfortable and to move closer depends on the desk construction and the placement of its stems. Another necessary detail is the presence of the rollers on the desk stem. It gives the ability to move the desk easily around the room.
For masking out the connecting cables some models have slits in the working surface which allow putting all cables behind the back side. The number of models where cables are hidden in the metal stems has increased lately. Naturally, such models will cost you more.
Metallic or wooden computer desk
While selecting a computer desk the materials of the desk will not be the last factor to be considered. At present wooden desks are the most popular because of their cheap prices. But the metallic models are also widely presented on the market.
The bigger part of the wooden desks is made of particle board. It is the cheapest variant. Desks made of sole wood can’t be met so often and such desks are suitable mostly for directors’ offices. While selecting a desk made of particle board (minimal thickness 1.7 cm), pay attention to the quality of the covering. Basically even in the cheapest models the thickness of the protection layer is enough to protect from the harmful rosins. But sometimes the particle board of the back edges of the table which are meant to be standing next to the wall remains uncovered in order to economize the covering material. Besides, unlike the working surface its edges are used up very quickly and because of that they should be covered with the edging specially designed for them.
The edging (metallic or plastic) can be either pasted or cut in the working surface. To prevent the office accessories from rolling of the desk, the edge of the working surface is made a little higher then the rest of the surface. Basically such computer desks are quite reliable and practical.
Metallic computer desks are usually presented by the construction of wooden or glass working surface and frame of metal. Such desks are more long-lived, but no always fit in the apartment’s interior, that’s why they better suit for offices. Usually for production of such tables steel or aluminum materials are used. To complete the «Hi-Tech» design of your room you can select a computer desk with the working surface made of glass. The best thickness for such working surface is 10mm. The disadvantages of glass are that it is cold and fingerprints can be clearly seen on it. But it can be cleaned easily and almost can not be scratched.
There are also lots of important details for the accessories. First, the plastic rollers for the sliding shelf will be used up quickly so they must be made of metal. Second, if you want a desk with rollers on its stems then pay attention to the presence of the break mechanisms that will keep the desk position fixed.
Computer Desk Dimensions
Selecting the dimensions of the desk, especially its length, depends on the free space assigned to it. But do not forget about the desk width, it can not be less than 60cm, so the distance of one meter between your eyes and the monitor could be amounted.
Length is important not only as the indicator of the compactness, especially if you are planning to use the desk not only for your computer, but also for paper work. The maximal height of the desk is 80cm, recommended height is 70-75cm. It is important that the center of the monitor must be a little lower then the level of your eyes. There are models with the rest for the monitor which height and angle can be adjusted, this can be very useful in some cases. The size of the slider shelf must be large enough to put both mouse and keyboard. Otherwise while chasing the compactness you will loose the comfort.
Read some more useful advice about selecting computer desks.
Dark desk colors will be very inconvenient because of the great contrast between the bright surface of the monitor and the dark working surface. Besides, the dust is clearly seen on such desks. And of course the matter of price: computer desk is not a luxurious furniture, that’s why for every day use you will be quite satisfied with standard models. And for the additional features you will have to pay more. And if you can’t find the suitable model or you wish to purchase something original you can always order a table designed especially for you.
It’s your choice, good luck in your purchase!