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geekhack Community => Off Topic => Topic started by: Lethal Squirrel on Wed, 12 September 2012, 22:43:43

Title: Looking for a decent flat,simple desk.
Post by: Lethal Squirrel on Wed, 12 September 2012, 22:43:43
Im looking for a new desk. something long, flat, and simple. no drawers or cupboards or keyboard trays. just something I can fit 3 monitors, and a set of speakers on, and maybe the occasional anime figure  :p

something sorta like this
(http://50.56.202.193/blogs/openhouse/images/21088_PE106108_S4_1.jpg)

or this
(http://lacson.name/media/ikea-desk.jpg)

anyone know where I can buy one that wont break the bank?
like below $200?
Title: Re: Looking for a decent flat,simple desk.
Post by: sth on Wed, 12 September 2012, 22:47:36
there's always the VIKA system from ikea. you could get something like that setup with legs instead of sides for under $75. 5 legs + wide table top.
Title: Re: Looking for a decent flat,simple desk.
Post by: nullstring on Wed, 12 September 2012, 22:57:38
VIKA is what I use
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S59865632/#/S99843742

Does the trick, and not too expensive.
Though, it looks like the price of the VIKA MOLIDEN may have increased. I doubt I paid that much.
Title: Re: Looking for a decent flat,simple desk.
Post by: Lethal Squirrel on Wed, 12 September 2012, 23:11:19
VIKA is what I use
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S59865632/#/S99843742

Does the trick, and not too expensive.
Though, it looks like the price of the VIKA MOLIDEN may have increased. I doubt I paid that much.

holy crap, that's perfect, and cheap! thanks :D
Title: Re: Looking for a decent flat,simple desk.
Post by: Lethal Squirrel on Wed, 12 September 2012, 23:34:37
why's the shipping so insane! D'x
$400 just for shipping?!?!
I understand its a big thing and all, but damn!!
Title: Re: Looking for a decent flat,simple desk.
Post by: sth on Wed, 12 September 2012, 23:35:13
hahaha that's ridiculous. you probably live within a couple hours of an ikea, right?
Title: Re: Looking for a decent flat,simple desk.
Post by: Lethal Squirrel on Wed, 12 September 2012, 23:39:24
The nearest one is 130 miles away. not too bad I guess. I might make the trip to get one :D
Title: Re: Looking for a decent flat,simple desk.
Post by: sth on Wed, 12 September 2012, 23:40:15
heh, well 260 miles' worth of gas should hopefully still be less than $400 :D
Title: Re: Looking for a decent flat,simple desk.
Post by: Lethal Squirrel on Wed, 12 September 2012, 23:43:02
yeah like $50 should do :D
Title: Re: Looking for a decent flat,simple desk.
Post by: Halverson on Wed, 12 September 2012, 23:43:21
ROAD TRIP!!! WOOT
Title: Re: Looking for a decent flat,simple desk.
Post by: swagpiratex on Thu, 13 September 2012, 01:08:30
The Vika that I was looking at was way uglier than what you posted, Nullstring. Thanks!
Title: Re: Looking for a decent flat,simple desk.
Post by: Malphas on Thu, 13 September 2012, 06:42:22
Urgh, Ikea. I'd rather pay a bit extra to get a desk from a commercial office furniture supplier rather than have a desk that feels like it's made of cardboard and blu-tack
Title: Re: Looking for a decent flat,simple desk.
Post by: metalliqaz on Thu, 13 September 2012, 07:34:03
Go to a used office furniture place.  I went to one just this week.  That had some simple, sturdy library tables that they were selling for $75.  They were beat up, but they will last forever.  Way longer than those cheap wooden tables.
I've been in the market for something similar.  If you want it to last a long time, you should go for high-pressure laminate.  That is what they use at universities, corporations, etc.  They are way more expensive but you can find them used easily.
You should visit several of them, because they all seem to cater to a niche quality-wise, and you may have to shop around to find what you want.  Seriously, once you see what they have and for how much, you will never go back to Ikea for office stuff.
Title: Re: Looking for a decent flat,simple desk.
Post by: funkymeeba on Thu, 13 September 2012, 15:35:59
I went with what I believe was called the Galant from Ikea. Feels pretty solid, but costs a decent bit more than the Vika. My workspace is freakin' huge on that desk, though. :D

It probably does help that an Ikea store is under 10 miles from home.
Title: Re: Looking for a decent flat,simple desk.
Post by: Calade on Thu, 13 September 2012, 15:40:21
I got IKEA's Galant as well, in white. Had it for a few years now and really liked it. So much space and you can expand it nicely. Feels really solid, too. Can only recommend it.
Title: Re: Looking for a decent flat,simple desk.
Post by: mars-bar-man on Thu, 13 September 2012, 16:21:18
I was going to suggest something from IKEA, seems a few already have.

They're cheap, they do the job and tbh, they don't look all that bad.
Title: Re: Looking for a decent flat,simple desk.
Post by: swagpiratex on Thu, 13 September 2012, 16:34:24
Looked up the different between the Galant and the Vika, seems like the Galant is a thicker particle board (compressed sawdust), while the Vika is a thinner hollowed out particle board filled with paper. Source isn't credible, but that seems like enough reason to justify the price difference.
Title: Re: Looking for a decent flat,simple desk.
Post by: metalliqaz on Thu, 13 September 2012, 17:41:03
*sigh*

High pressure laminate over plywood.  When I get my new table I'll post it.

Either that or solid wood with a proper finish.  The first time you spill your cereal on your desk you'll be sorry its made out of particleboard.  I was.

Title: Re: Looking for a decent flat,simple desk.
Post by: Malphas on Fri, 14 September 2012, 11:20:01
This is what I use, and would recommend something along that lines. Looks crap but it will last forever.

http://www.equip4work.co.uk/shop/dalton-ergonomic-desk-with-a-single-fixed-pedestal.html
Title: Re: Looking for a decent flat,simple desk.
Post by: swagpiratex on Fri, 14 September 2012, 11:58:11
Couldn't you find a better looking one with comparable durability properties for the same price?
Title: Re: Looking for a decent flat,simple desk.
Post by: absyrd on Fri, 14 September 2012, 12:05:39
I have a frankenstein'd Vika standing desk, sitting desk, dining table and bar. Furnished 2 whole rooms with vika + other combos really.
Title: Re: Looking for a decent flat,simple desk.
Post by: swagpiratex on Fri, 14 September 2012, 12:34:03
What bothers me about the Vika is the description of the hollowed/filled with paper. Could you comment on it's durability?
Title: Re: Looking for a decent flat,simple desk.
Post by: absyrd on Fri, 14 September 2012, 12:46:44
Very light wood composite. The surface is better than you'd expect considering the price, though. Holds up to all kinds of cleaning chemicals and does not warp if you spill or leave drinks on it (unlike many cheapo desk tops). Just don't take a sharp metal object to it and you are fine. Again, it is the best option for the money.
Title: Re: Looking for a decent flat,simple desk.
Post by: Malphas on Fri, 14 September 2012, 13:19:01
Couldn't you find a better looking one with comparable durability properties for the same price?
Not really. Would probably have to buy a piece of hardwood furniture, possibly custom or something to get something that looked good. Even then, it still wouldn't have the same features like the cabling ports, filing cabinet system, melamine coating, etc. It still looks better than Ikea furniture at least.
Title: Re: Looking for a decent flat,simple desk.
Post by: metalliqaz on Sun, 16 September 2012, 14:45:17
Posted my solution here (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=35664.0).
Title: Re: Looking for a decent flat,simple desk.
Post by: DarkShot on Sun, 16 September 2012, 16:52:35
What bothers me about the Vika is the description of the hollowed/filled with paper. Could you comment on it's durability?

I've got one (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=33167.msg651817#msg651817) and it's solid. The usual one that I see consists of the following:

VIKA Annefors*2 (Cabinet style legs)
VIKA Amon*1 (Desk surface, mine is an 80cm*200cm)
VIKA Curry*1 (Center support leg in the back)

Dead solid, looks great and relatively cheap for what you get with everything totaling around $200. If you can, I'd suggest getting it.

IF you do go, be sure to bring more money as there's plenty of other stuff that'll be sure to catch your attention!
Title: Re: Looking for a decent flat,simple desk.
Post by: jwaz on Sun, 16 September 2012, 17:19:57
I would suggest buying something on craigslist, preferably not from Ikea. They make a lot of garbage...
Title: Re: Looking for a decent flat,simple desk.
Post by: Kellybear on Sun, 16 September 2012, 20:10:27
IKEA isn't that bad.. I use a vika desk too xD..