I have had my height adjustable GeekDesk v3 for about two months now, and I love it.
GeekDesk lets me work standing up for most of the day, but when I feel inclined to rest my legs or feet, I can easily adjust it to a sitting height by pressing a button that operates a small internal motor drive.
Why bother standing anyway?
Two reasons.
Firstly, and mainly, because I have a bit of a crook back. Other people have described this condition as Programmer’s Back, and I think that is apt. My theory is that moderating the amount of time I spend sitting will lead to a healthier back.
Secondly, because sitting is quite bad for you.
Why a GeekDesk?
As usual, I did a fair amount of research before making this purchase.
Initially, I started searching for desks available locally in Adelaide, but I was disappointed by the range, and in particular, I was disappointed by the lack of information and reviews available for the products.
So I expanded my search, and I found that there are some top products available in the US. After reading various reviews, I narrowed the list down to three products: the GeekDesk v3, a Mod-E, or the NextDesk Terra. If price was not a factor, I would get the NextDesk. But price is a factor, and $US1500 + delivery to Australia was just too much.
So that left the GeekDesk or the Mod-E. They both seemed like top notch products, so I didn’t think I could go wrong with either. I settled on the GeekDesk because I liked that it had a low cross bar for stability, and because it ended up being cheaper, once the delivery quote was factored in. I decided to get the large frame, rather than the small frame, as I think a desk top width of 1.5 metres is the minimum for my purposes.
GeekDesk also offers a more expensive “Max” model, which adds extra lift capacity and programmable height presets. However, the v3’s capacity of 125 Kg is plenty for my purposes, and programmable height presets are simply not very useful. One of the advantages of a height adjustable desk is fine tuning the height for your comfort, for different users, and even for when you are wearing shoes with a different sole depth; presets just get in the way.
Getting a desk top
I didn’t get a top with my GeekDesk purchase, because shipping that from the US to Australia is just too pricey. I had to source one myself.
Initially I considered making a desk top out of timber myself. But after realising that I didn’t have all the required tools, or the time, I thought better of it, and decided to look for a pre-made one.
The dimensions of the medium size top sold by GeekDesk is 160 x 80 cm, so that was the ball park size I was looking for.
We are lucky to have an IKEA in Adealide, so I investigated what they offer:
- LINMON table top. A 150 x 75 cm particle board table top for the miserly sum of $49. But it is $49 for a reason, and on inspection, I was not at all impressed. It was a bit too cheap any nasty for my taste. The table on display had lots of chips around the edge of the top, showing the fibre board colour underneath. I hate that. Also, the dimensions were a little smaller than I was looking for.
- NUMERAR kitchen bench top. A 186 x 62 cm solid Beech timber top for only $260. This would have been great, except that 62 cm is not deep enough; 75 cm was my minimum.
- GERTON table top. This looked perfect. A 155 x 75 cm solid Beech timber top for only $189. I really wanted this one! But when I enquired with IKEA about stock, this is what they said: “Unfortunately I’m unable provide you any information of when this arriving. Possibly looking at 7–8 weeks till we get shipment date.” Very noncommittal, and not very promising at all. A shame.
- GALANT table top. A 160 x 80 cm particle board top with Ash timber veneer for $149. Its a perfect size, as it exactly matches the size sold by GeekDesk. It is quite good quality. It is available in a black/brown stain, which happens to match our other furniture. I had found my desk top!
So I got the GALANT, and I am very happy it. The GERTON would have been perfect, but the GALANT was a very close second anyway.
Ordering, delivery and setup
The GeekDesk staff were very helpful in quoting for delivery to Australia, and I thought that the $US236 delivery cost was quiet fair.
Delivery of the desk took a little more than two weeks. Pretty impressive, given that it came from the US!
Setup was straight forward, and the instruction booklet is well written and easy to follow.
Cable management
As you can see in the photo, there is a bit of a mess of cables on the floor, and I even have my ADSL modem sitting there. However, I have plans to tidy all that up by adding a hidden shelf underneath the desk. I’ll be able to place the modem, router, USB hub and power adapters there.
Conclusion
I really dig my new GeekDesk. I love the solid quality, the simple understated look, the stability at standing height, and the fast, smooth and quiet motor operation.
What’s more, I really enjoy standing at it. I have the desk at home, and I find that I tend to stand around ninety percent of the time. It is actually very comfortable. It is easy to ergonomically sort your body out with a straight back and neck, and correctly angled elbows. Standing seems to even help me concentrate, I think. Importantly, standing at home compensates for the fact that I sit all day at work.
I have a few photos here.
If you’re a programmer, a height adjustable desk is very worthy investment, in my opinion. And you won’t go wrong with a GeekDesk! But if you’re rich enough, maybe get the NextDesk; it looks like the bee’s knees :-).