Computer Desks and UPS's?

As the search for the perfect computer desk continues, singularity adds in another chapter: "I just bought a desk for my home computer. The problem that I have is that I have a dual monitor set-up, and I would like to be able to add on another computer to the set-up (laptop with full docking station with additional monitor). Most desks I have found tend to be set up exclusively for single monitor set-ups. The other two limitations were size and budget. As the desk was going to have to go into my (already crowded) bedroom, I did not want it to take over. In addition, I did not want to put down a grand on a computer desk. That is currently worth more than my main computer!" What solutions for multi-monitor desks have you found?

"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?"

Comments

same problem

[Snafoo]

I have a dual-monitor setup; I feel your pain. Although being able to put, say, Maple on one screen and Emacs on the other has done wonders for my workflow (at least, I *feel* more productive ;) I now have less room for those all-important back-of-the-envelope calculations.

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 :P). Get an n-port KVM to handle your n-1 'other' computers, or run them headless if possible. (Neat point: When you switch computers w/ the KVM, only one monitor will change, so hook it up to your 'secondary' screen (google-search for it, man) because they have ridiculously small footprints. Get a trackball, or better yet one of those little 'mousing pads' (a la laptop); the latter is just amazing for workflow if you put it where you can get your thumb on it w/o leaving home row. Using the pointer becomes almost as efficient as the keyboard. ;) If you go for the trackball option or don't like 'thumbing' the pointer, then see if (like myself) you can comfortably type with the keyboard on your lap (the trick is to lean back and keep the board as close to your knees as possible). Finally, take one or both of your dual heads, a stud-finder (the sonic kind for walls, not some sort of attractive-male GPS locator), some screws, a plank of plywood and some 0.40$ L-supports, and put one/both of the monitors (the smaller one, preferably! Really important that the shelf can bear the load! Do not do this with a 30" monstrosity!) on your wall, and then fiddle your XF86Config to give you a 'tall/narrow' Xinerama rather than 'short/wide' (assuming that you left one monitor on the desk, as I have). Now go and install a cool windowmanager, like Oroborus, and decorate your monitors with whatever stickers/ornaments appeal to you. This makes the workspace *feel* more comfortable and therefore more spacious. Or something.

Then, get some moist towelettes for your friends to clean themselves up with after they've stopped drooling. ;)

i use a door & two shelving units

[DrSkwid]

put the shelves "facing" each other
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

[grammar nazi]

The use-door-as-a-shelf idea is a nice one. I found that none of the 'computer desks' fit my needs and I only have one monitor. All I wanted was a big flat desk that is very deep so that my monitor can sit right in front of me and the keyboard is on the same surface as the monitor. Any old-fashioned desk would be fine.

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

[DrSkwid]

Also I use a piece of kitchen work surface across the top of the shelves, it's a bit shallower than the door and meakes a great big shelf. There's not much out of reach in here and the claustrophilia I feel is nice. Great for gaming and all round general concentration.

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..

[cmowire]

I have been picking up pieces of office furnature that can be connected together. So I have a 60" table for $180. Get two of those and a corner piece, and it should cost you less than $1000, even if you get drawers and shelves for it, and you can put your stuff wherever you want. Works much better than the desks that are suposedly designed for computers.

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.

Wall mount your monitors

[dattaway]

I picked up an attractive, modern looking wall mount bracket from the local furniture/appliance store. Its good enough for up to 27" televisions and holds my other large computer monitor well. The monitors can easily be swiveled in any angle with these mounts.

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

[dattaway]

Mine is just some cheapo APS unit with the guts ripped out and a wiring job. I was using a $60 Walmart special until I found a slightly beefier unit in someone's trash. Any UPS unit will do!

HomeDepot

[jmenezes]

While not what most people would think of as classy, I was in teh search for a desk that i could put in at least 2 computers, and maybe still have space for doing my paperwork in the middle...
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...

[wbraunoh]

Perhaps not the easiest-bought-at-Office-Depot solution, but I've found something that works wonders. An old friend of mine actually did the dirty work on it, and I inherited the thing when he graduated college.

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 a picture of mine, if you're interested. Good stuff.

Banquet tables.

[duffbeer703]

They cost about $39 at staples.

can't get easier than that.

Re:Banquet tables.

[__aaahtg7394]

Actually, you can: if you spend over 50$, staples will generally deliver it for free (if you're in the vicinity). So splurge and buy some paper, or a new mouse, or any of a myriad of things. I got my table delivered with some iron-on transfers and a ream of paper.

Cheap and easy

[lizrd]

File cabinets and kitchen countertop.

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

[phillymjs]

I finally settled on Ikea's Jerker workstation

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