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When experimenting with standing (well, also walking) desks I found that the height of the table is less important than the height of the monitor, and that usin

When experimenting with standing (well, also walking) desks I found that the height of the table is less important than the height of the monitor, and that using a plain laptop, as shown in the pictures, isn't any good if you want to work for longer (>30 min) periods. Constantly looking down isn't a natural position, and it strains the neck. The cheap option is to raise your laptop and use an external keyboard/mouse, or use an external monitor. Or both :)

shanusmagnus 11y ago
I'm always baffled by people who go to the trouble of making a standing desk, often at great expense, and then set a laptop on it and call it good. Aside from the ergonomic issues you describe, there's the issue of screen real estate. It's like trying to shoot competitive pool using a tree branch you found in the road.
- chapium 11y ago
  Not only that, but many of these setups trade an ergonomic chair for a hard floor. I'm surprised that more consideration does not go into floor mats as seen in other jobs requiring long periods of standing.
  - mellavora 11y ago
    Well, they did include a footrest. It's a start
  - auxym 11y ago
    If anyone's looking for a recommendation, I've found industrial antifatigue mats (found in machine shops and the like, mcmaster-carr sells some as would most industrial suppliers) surprisingly comfortable for standing on all day.
    - scott_karana 11y ago
      Indeed. If they're made to be comfortable for a heavyset man holding powertools wearing steel-toed boots, it's definitely going to feel good in comfortable clothes and shoes! :-)
jmilloy 11y ago
This is a really important point. Setting up a standing workstation is similar to setting up a sitting workstation: you probably need monitor risers and a keyboard tray for maximum ergonomic fit. Alternatively, when you're not on a keyboard w/ screens, you probably want a slanted work surface. Then again, when I work on a laptop, it's not comfortable either way and I'd rather be standing than sitting.
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shanusmagnus 11y ago

I'm always baffled by people who go to the trouble of making a standing desk, often at great expense, and then set a laptop on it and call it good. Aside from the ergonomic issues you describe, there's the issue of screen real estate. It's like trying to shoot competitive pool using a tree branch you found in the road.

chapium 11y ago
Not only that, but many of these setups trade an ergonomic chair for a hard floor. I'm surprised that more consideration does not go into floor mats as seen in other jobs requiring long periods of standing.
- mellavora 11y ago
  Well, they did include a footrest. It's a start
- auxym 11y ago
  If anyone's looking for a recommendation, I've found industrial antifatigue mats (found in machine shops and the like, mcmaster-carr sells some as would most industrial suppliers) surprisingly comfortable for standing on all day.
  - scott_karana 11y ago
    Indeed. If they're made to be comfortable for a heavyset man holding powertools wearing steel-toed boots, it's definitely going to feel good in comfortable clothes and shoes! :-)

jmilloy 11y ago

This is a really important point. Setting up a standing workstation is similar to setting up a sitting workstation: you probably need monitor risers and a keyboard tray for maximum ergonomic fit. Alternatively, when you're not on a keyboard w/ screens, you probably want a slanted work surface. Then again, when I work on a laptop, it's not comfortable either way and I'd rather be standing than sitting.

deleted 11y ago

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