Computer desks

[Chriz]

Hey all. I am going to be getting a new system soon, and this time I am going for not only a larger monitor but two of them...either two 22 inch widescreens or two 24 inch widescreeens. I also am going to have a 26 inch LCD tv eventually and a small laser printer. I am thinking about getting an L shaped desk to accommodate the extra hardware, but I'm not really sure what's good. I don't want to spend a fortune on it, but I don't need the cheapest thing there is. Any suggestions?

 

[mugs]

I would get either two 20" screens or two 24" screens. 22" LCDs are the same resolution as 20" LCDs. All you get is slightly bigger pixels at the expense of desk space and money. You might consider getting a networkable laser printer and putting it somewhere out of the way.

 

[uberman]

Yep, you betha! If you want an eight foot computer desk with drawers, do this.

Get two 2 drawer metal filing cabinets, office depot, thrift store or somewhere. Get a 4x8 of 1 inch particle board and one of plywood. Rip them so they are 32 inches wide. Put down your cabinets with the plywood on top followed by the particle board.

You can C-Clamp lights on arms to them. Clamp on monitor mounts and slide out telephone holders. Build a bookshelf for the top too. Lot's of space for computers, scanners, books etc. You will also have four drawers for storage.

BTW, I made several of these and my computer room was 12 by 24 foot with 5 workstations. I set them up in an "L" shape.

 

[Baked]

If you're doing small batch B&W print jobs, the Brother HL-2170W wireless laser printer is an excellent choice.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: uberman
Yep, you betha! If you want an eight foot computer desk with drawers, do this.

Get two 2 drawer metal filing cabinets, office depot, thrift store or somewhere. Get a 4x8 of 1 inch particle board and one of plywood. Rip them so they are 32 inches wide. Put down your cabinets with the plywood on top followed by the particle board.

You can C-Clamp lights on arms to them. Clamp on monitor mounts and slide out telephone holders. Build a bookshelf for the top too. Lot's of space for computers, scanners, books etc. You will also have four drawers for storage.

BTW, I made several of these and my computer room was 12 by 24 foot with 5 workstations. I set them up in an "L" shape.

i did something like this but had some extra kitchen counter top

 

[uberman]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: uberman
Yep, you betha! If you want an eight foot computer desk with drawers, do this.

Get two 2 drawer metal filing cabinets, office depot, thrift store or somewhere. Get a 4x8 of 1 inch particle board and one of plywood. Rip them so they are 32 inches wide. Put down your cabinets with the plywood on top followed by the particle board.

You can C-Clamp lights on arms to them. Clamp on monitor mounts and slide out telephone holders. Build a bookshelf for the top too. Lot's of space for computers, scanners, books etc. You will also have four drawers for storage.

BTW, I made several of these and my computer room was 12 by 24 foot with 5 workstations. I set them up in an "L" shape.

i did something like this but had some extra kitchen counter top

I went to a Habitat For Humanity Surplus store and kithen sink tops were very cheep.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: uberman
Yep, you betha! If you want an eight foot computer desk with drawers, do this.

Get two 2 drawer metal filing cabinets, office depot, thrift store or somewhere. Get a 4x8 of 1 inch particle board and one of plywood. Rip them so they are 32 inches wide. Put down your cabinets with the plywood on top followed by the particle board.

You can C-Clamp lights on arms to them. Clamp on monitor mounts and slide out telephone holders. Build a bookshelf for the top too. Lot's of space for computers, scanners, books etc. You will also have four drawers for storage.

BTW, I made several of these and my computer room was 12 by 24 foot with 5 workstations. I set them up in an "L" shape.

i did something like this but had some extra kitchen counter top

If you want to go that route, you can get prefab laminate countertops at Home Depot or Lowe's for ~$10 per linear foot. They sell 6, 8, and 10 ft sections. They also sell angled sections too if you want to make an L. Add another ~$12 if you want to cover the ends with the same laminate that the top is made out of (otherwise you just have exposed particle board), and ~$5 for the build-up kit if you need to raise the counter to clear drawers or cabinets (or you could just cut blocks of wood - that's all the build-up kit is, except it's particle board instead of wood).

I bought 4 drawer bases off Craigslist (assortment of 2x file drawers and 1x file drawer + 2x small drawers), and the guy threw in four tops for free. I'm going to add a couple of Ikea legs (4 for $20) and make a 6 ft by 12 ft L shaped desk.