Downview computer desk? Patch Chloe O'Brien to my cellphone, now.
January 19, 2010 5:35 PM Subscribe
Downview computer desks? Ever used one? Any recommendations?
On this season's 24, I notice that the redesigned set for CTU features downview computer desks -- that is, desks with glass tops where the monitor is set below the glass top and angled for viewing. You are looking down and forward at your monitor, not up.
I used to work with a desk like this back in the early 90s that was very small -- really, just a workstation in a study carrel. I recall it being useful, but the small desk wasn't great.
Anybody have any experience with this setup? Is it ergonomically useful? Know where I can find a large desk (e.g. 60 inches wide or more) in this setup, like what's displayed on the show?
I realize that the ones on the show may be custom-made, as it reduces the problem of seeing an actor's face with the camera.
On this season's 24, I notice that the redesigned set for CTU features downview computer desks -- that is, desks with glass tops where the monitor is set below the glass top and angled for viewing. You are looking down and forward at your monitor, not up.
I used to work with a desk like this back in the early 90s that was very small -- really, just a workstation in a study carrel. I recall it being useful, but the small desk wasn't great.
Anybody have any experience with this setup? Is it ergonomically useful? Know where I can find a large desk (e.g. 60 inches wide or more) in this setup, like what's displayed on the show?
I realize that the ones on the show may be custom-made, as it reduces the problem of seeing an actor's face with the camera.
I suspect that, in terms of ergonomics, this is not a good idea, because I always heard that having the top of the computer screen at eye level was ideal. This would make you bend your head downward instead of looking straight ahead. It would also put your keyboard higher up than your screen, when the ideal keyboard height is supposed to be such that your elbows are bent 90 degrees.
I think the down-view desk might be intended for people who need to talk to someone in front of them and see a computer screen at the same time, like bank tellers. It keeps the screen out of the way and makes the customers (or whoever) in front of the desk feel more like the focus is on them rather than the computer.
posted by k. at 5:50 PM on January 19, 2010
I think the down-view desk might be intended for people who need to talk to someone in front of them and see a computer screen at the same time, like bank tellers. It keeps the screen out of the way and makes the customers (or whoever) in front of the desk feel more like the focus is on them rather than the computer.
posted by k. at 5:50 PM on January 19, 2010
We have those in the computer labs at school. I personally find them really annoying as your neck does get sore quickly because you're hunched over looking at the screen. It's also annoying to try and write on paper or use books at the same time because a majority of your desk space is taken up because you need to see the monitor. You then either have to try and write awkwardly to the side or in your lap.
posted by Deflagro at 6:18 PM on January 19, 2010
posted by Deflagro at 6:18 PM on January 19, 2010
You know, now that I think about it, I recall seeing this set up at a store once, when I was checking out. I asked the cashier if this kind of thing bothered her and she laughed and rolled her eyes and told me that the store was spending "tens of thousands of dollars" in the near future to rebuild the check out area and remove these kinds of monitors...because all the cashiers were complaining about sore necks.
Seems like it's the kind of concept that makes sense in theory (better interaction with customers, or in the case of a TV show, better sight lines with TV cameras) but in reality, not so much.
posted by dfriedman at 6:18 PM on January 19, 2010
Seems like it's the kind of concept that makes sense in theory (better interaction with customers, or in the case of a TV show, better sight lines with TV cameras) but in reality, not so much.
posted by dfriedman at 6:18 PM on January 19, 2010
Similar to k.'s suggestion, my boyfriend's school has these in computer labs, and they seem to be primarily designed for classes so (laptopless? laptop-forbidden?) students can alternate between working on a monitor and watching a lecturer. I have used them and they are horrid and disorienting.
posted by heyforfour at 6:25 PM on January 19, 2010
posted by heyforfour at 6:25 PM on January 19, 2010
Wow, I haven't seen one of those in a while. They seemed like they were the cat's ass in the late 80s or early 90s.
The only time I ever used one was in a computer lab, and I kept getting annoyed that in order to use the computer I had to make a real effort to clean up my cluttered papers off of the desk surface. YMMV there.
posted by Kadin2048 at 6:28 PM on January 19, 2010
The only time I ever used one was in a computer lab, and I kept getting annoyed that in order to use the computer I had to make a real effort to clean up my cluttered papers off of the desk surface. YMMV there.
posted by Kadin2048 at 6:28 PM on January 19, 2010
Yeah they were pretty wicked for playing Galaga while eating a pizza in 1986 but now, not so much.
As pointed out above, it hurts the neck and makes no sense.
posted by drjimmy11 at 6:33 PM on January 19, 2010
As pointed out above, it hurts the neck and makes no sense.
posted by drjimmy11 at 6:33 PM on January 19, 2010
Response by poster: Just so we know we're talking about the same thing, this is what I mean.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 6:59 PM on January 19, 2010
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 6:59 PM on January 19, 2010
I imagine that if you ever want to add a wacom tablet, that desk would make it very difficult to use.
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 7:08 PM on January 19, 2010
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 7:08 PM on January 19, 2010
Last semester I had to use those, and I didn't like them. The setup was just weird. Either my neck or back were killing me, or I couldn't see the screen well, or my knees banged on the keyboard tray. The setup seems more useful for occasional information lookup, not intensive work.
I googled downview desks, a lot seem to be classroom desks, but the Leda models look like home office desks.
posted by shinyshiny at 7:34 PM on January 19, 2010
I googled downview desks, a lot seem to be classroom desks, but the Leda models look like home office desks.
posted by shinyshiny at 7:34 PM on January 19, 2010
Best answer: My company does a lot of computer training, and we have three rooms of these, about 12 or so per room. Man, that was the WORST purchase I ever made. Seemed like a good idea at the time, but they're not especially comfortable, you get a lot of glare, and you're really limited in what kind of monitor you can use. Plus, they're a cleaning nightmare.
posted by me & my monkey at 8:00 PM on January 19, 2010
posted by me & my monkey at 8:00 PM on January 19, 2010
Best answer: I don't know the exact desks in question but for an angled monitor you could get a Wacom Cintiq. It's stand is a spring-loaded, adjustable easel that can be almost vertical or almost flat. You can use it with the pen, a mouse or trackpad.
posted by bonobothegreat at 9:06 PM on January 19, 2010
posted by bonobothegreat at 9:06 PM on January 19, 2010
Proper ergonomics: the top of your computer monitor should be at eye level.
posted by neuron at 10:05 PM on January 19, 2010
posted by neuron at 10:05 PM on January 19, 2010
Best answer: you get a lot of glare
This is so true. There is glare from two surfaces, and you don't have as many angles available for the monitor to be adjusted to avoid glare. And you obviously can't do anything at all about the glare from the desktop, since covering it isn't an option.
Also, the desktop eventually gets scratched up from books and pens and whatnot, so you're always seeing scratches on the monitor that aren't really on the monitor screen. Annoying as hell.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 5:40 AM on January 20, 2010
This is so true. There is glare from two surfaces, and you don't have as many angles available for the monitor to be adjusted to avoid glare. And you obviously can't do anything at all about the glare from the desktop, since covering it isn't an option.
Also, the desktop eventually gets scratched up from books and pens and whatnot, so you're always seeing scratches on the monitor that aren't really on the monitor screen. Annoying as hell.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 5:40 AM on January 20, 2010
Best answer: you get a lot of glare
This was the point I came here to make. Some of our hotelling and other general use desks are built this way. With normal office overhead lighting, they're almost unusable because of glare. They are easy to keep clean, which is why the service people like them so much, but they are a total pain to use.
As a further datapoint, many people now opt to bring a laptop instead of using the provided computer built into the desk now.
posted by bonehead at 8:00 AM on January 20, 2010
This was the point I came here to make. Some of our hotelling and other general use desks are built this way. With normal office overhead lighting, they're almost unusable because of glare. They are easy to keep clean, which is why the service people like them so much, but they are a total pain to use.
As a further datapoint, many people now opt to bring a laptop instead of using the provided computer built into the desk now.
posted by bonehead at 8:00 AM on January 20, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
I'd find it rather disorienting.
posted by dfriedman at 5:49 PM on January 19, 2010