When buying a computer, it is better to immediately buy a special table for it. This is explained by the fact that ordinary pieces of furniture in the house, as a rule, already serve as a place for eating or working; you should not occupy this place with a computer. Moreover, this is impossible if there are two or more people in the house who need a place to work.
Choosing furniture for working at a computer is an important matter, because the productivity of work, the health of the back and joints, and the preservation of vision will depend on its comfort.
The best computer desk for a student
The description and characteristics of a computer desktop for a schoolchild without any doubt corresponds to the product where, in addition to the computer, notebooks will fit when he does his homework. It follows that the lid must have a large area. Also, the student will probably like:
- printer section;
- sustainability;
- compact size;
- additional drawers;
- does not take up much space;
- ergonomics.
For parents, it is necessary that the most comfortable computer desk be durable and moisture resistant. For some families, an affordable price is important.
Material
Most often, the table frame (including legs) is made of wood, chipboard or metal. The tabletop can be made of other materials, such as glass.
Wood is an environmentally friendly and durable material that does not require special care. The wooden table is spectacular to look at and pleasant to the touch. Disadvantages: high price and massiveness.
Chipboard is reminiscent of wood, but its price is much lower, which has made these tables the most popular. Thanks to a special protective coating (polymer, melamine) or veneer, which increases resistance to moisture and mechanical stress, the countertops are distinguished by a variety of design solutions.
The disadvantages of chipboard include swelling of the material when damaged and wet, deformation of holes during frequent assembly and disassembly, as well as toxicity (release of formaldehyde). The quality of the coating is also not always satisfactory: often the protective surface swells and becomes covered with cracks, through which hazardous substances enter the air.
Important: pay attention to the environmental class labeling (E1; E2; E3). The lower the number, the safer the table. The best choice would be E1 class furniture; E0. In addition, you should make sure that there is a protective coating on the back edges of the table, since inexpensive models often do not have it.
The thickness of the chipboard board must be at least 17 mm.
MDF is a more durable and environmentally friendly material. The price of a table made of MDF is higher than a similar product made of chipboard.
Glass is an exclusive solution that refreshes the interior and visually expands the room. This table is environmentally friendly, easy to clean and practically scratch-resistant. The disadvantage of glass is its lower strength compared to other materials. This material collects fingerprints well, which means it requires constant care and is “cold” to the touch. You should not buy a glass table if there are children in the house.
Important: the thickness of the glass tabletop must be at least 10 mm.
Metal is the most durable, but “cold” material. Often the table frame is made of metal, and the tabletops are made of another material, such as glass. Stainless steel and aluminum are most often used to create computer desks.
Some computer desk parts are made from other materials. For example, shelves and legs can be made of plastic, and the edges of tables can be covered with PVC tape.
Tables made of chipboard and MDF are equally good for both home and office; tables with a metal frame and glass top are more appropriate in the office.
Advantages and disadvantages of computer desks
Each user has his own idea of the right desk for a computer. People who have a large living space and rarely use a computer can place the computer in the bleaching room. Of course, in this case the presence of shelves and drawers is not relevant; a stylish design is required here.
A transforming table (as a computer table is called) is suitable for a small apartment; a family with a schoolchild will need drawers and shelves so that the child can put books and notebooks there.
Types of tables
The following varieties are considered the most popular and convenient:
- Straight tables are a classic option that will suit the interior of any room. This table is most often placed in the corner. It is quite convenient and compact. However, you should not buy a table that is too narrow, otherwise your elbows will hang down and you will be uncomfortable.
- U-shaped and semicircular tables are most often used if there is a lot of free space and not a single person will work at them.
- Modular tables are good for their spaciousness and comfort - depending on your wishes, their modules can be swapped.
- Tables with a large number of shelves and drawers simultaneously serve as both a workplace and a shelving unit. This option will fit well into the interior of a small room.
- Transforming tables are most often folding tables, or models with a lifting mechanism.
Related links: Caring for fragile porcelain items
Undoubtedly, in order for the purchased item to please the eye, it is worth taking into account your aesthetic requirements for it. If you are a fan of creativity and creative clutter, then you will need a lot of free space. If you often do drawings or any other graphic work, then the surface of the table should be perfectly flat.
For lovers of perfect order, a small, neat table that will accommodate only the essentials is quite suitable. There should be space on the table for convenient storage of whatever you might need while working: from a stand for the printer to a recess for a cup of coffee.
How to choose the right desktop computer
To make the right choice of a modern computer desktop, you need to study all the nuances of its operation:
- designers design furniture taking into account that users maintain their posture and remain at an eye-safe distance from the monitor;
- these items usually have a shelf for the keyboard, holes for the cable, and a compartment for the system unit;
- The models are compact and easily fit into small apartments.
You need to estimate the dimensions, find out the technical characteristics of the desk, in accordance with the available free space, decide on the color, material, sit at it to decide whether it is suitable for your height. If you sit comfortably, this means this is a suitable model.
Ideal workplace
For many people, a computer workstation is the main place where a person spends his day. Investing in a better work environment is a smart idea that will pay off over time in terms of productivity and health. Let's start with the most important thing - what a workplace should be like so that it causes as little harm to health as possible.
How to sit at your desk correctly?
The video will quickly and succinctly describe the correct position:
In short:
- -Elbows should be bent 90 degrees
- -The back should be straight. You cannot sit with your tailbone tucked under you, as often happens.
- -The gaze is directed straight. The top of the monitor should be at eye level
- -Feet should confidently touch the floor. Use a footrest if the table is too high for you.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome, an occupational disease of office workers, occurs during prolonged work at a computer and is manifested by pain in the wrist and numbness or tingling of the fingers. It is connected to the carpal tunnel at the base of the hand, through which the median nerve and 9 muscle tendons pass. During monotonous sedentary work, the pressure in the canal rises and the nerve is compressed.
Watch yourself while working, whether you are sitting correctly, whether you are holding your hands correctly. The correct position of your hand on the mouse is especially important, as in the picture below. The most common incorrect posture is in the upper left example, when you move the mouse with your little finger and thumb, and lift your hand above the mouse. In this case, most likely your computer mouse size is incorrectly selected for your palm.
Don’t forget to stretch your hands from time to time and, in general, get up and walk more often. Lack of movement can lead to problems with digestion, veins, kidneys and other organs. To remember to move more, you can buy yourself any inexpensive fitness bracelet that will remind you if you sit still for a long time.
Choose your perfect table
One of the most convenient solutions is a table with adjustable legs. In addition to the fact that it allows you to adjust the height to suit you, you can even work at this table while standing. It is very useful to combine work in a sitting position and in a standing position.
There are 2 types of tables with adjustable legs - mechanically adjustable and electrically adjustable. Mechanically adjustable desks are inexpensive, but not very convenient for changing work positions throughout the day. Such tables can be found at IKEA (Skarsta), Ergoline, Ergostol and many other manufacturers.
The same manufacturers have electric tables. But there are quite remarkable Russian manufacturers of such tables. For example, the Snapdesk project, originally from Kazan, allows you to assemble a table in the designer and choose the legs and color of the tabletop. The company delivers orders throughout Russia by transport company.
Another interesting project Tabula Sense produces smart tables for lovers of order and minimalism. The tables are equipped with built-in charging, induction heating of drinks, and built-in stands for gadgets. Also, these work tables can not only rise up and down, but also change the angle of the tabletop. These tables are not cheap, but their functionality makes up for it.
Before purchasing a variable-height desk, make sure this work format is suitable for you. Try making a makeshift high desk and work for a couple of days, combining sitting and standing work. It is also worth considering that you cannot work while standing all the time. Working time in a standing position should be no more than 30% of the total working time, since working while standing increases the load on the spinal column.
Tame your gadgets
Remember how many times a day while working you reach out to your phone to pick it up and read the next push notification?
We suggest optimizing this process and installing the phone on a vertical stand or miniature docking station. We ourselves use such stations and can no longer imagine our workplace without them.
Choose the right monitor
The biggest doesn't mean the best. When choosing a monitor, pay attention to resolution, pixel density, and color rendition. Even if you are going to buy a monitor online, try going to a physical store first and take a closer look at the size and format of the monitors, the quality of the display, to understand which monitor is right for you.
A small life hack. If you often work with two documents or programs at the same time, often edit video, program or do 3D rendering, then a widescreen monitor of 21:9 or wider will be a great help for you. You can work with 2 documents or programs at the same time. Of course, you will have to struggle a little with setting the resolution, scale and fonts when you first start, but you will only need to do this once.
Manufacturers often sell monitors with a fairly short stand, so if the monitor is below your line of sight, it's worth considering a stand for it.
If you're a minimalist and don't like unnecessary items on your desk, you might consider replacing the standard stand with a side stand or using a bracket that attaches to the wall.
Cable management
Magnetic cable holders. The magnetic holder can be discreetly attached to the side of the tabletop, and special magnetic clips can be attached to the cables. This way the wires will be invisible while you are not using them. You can buy these in hardware stores or order them from China.
Cable clamps. It is convenient to connect a large number of wires together and attach them to a hidden part of the table so that they are out of the way and less noticeable.
A place where you like to be
And, of course, what kind of work can there be if the workplace does not give you pleasure? Marker or cork boards, a convenient storage system, objects that inspire you - everything that will help you work with more pleasure and feel like your workplace is your personal space.
We've put together some inspirational videos that can give you ideas on how you can transform your workspace. If you need more examples, you can find them on Youtube by searching “desk setup”.
