Alternatives to using a (desktop) computer on a desk

[roaming pear]

This question might be weird, but it might not be as weird as what the title portray what I want to ask...


So I have been finding that I don't particularly like using a computer on my desk.  I was thinking of putting a sofa (one seat or loveseat) in my room and then a small table to put the mouse and keyboard in front of the sofa, and behind the table or stand where my monitor would be.  I don't know why I don't really like the desktop environment, but its partly because I want my room to look balanced and the way it is now, is not helping achieve that look...


So I was wondering what you thought of computing on a sofa?  would it be comfortable? would it be too comfortable to work at?  is it impossible? Would I get tired really quickly? etc... Let me know what you think...


Also, have you tried any other non traditional computing environments? What other ideas do you have for an alternative environment... ?


I hope I didn't confuse anyone with my question...


edit: one of the reasons I'm trying to go with a new environment is because I tend to slouch in my computer chair and it hurts after a while...  I figure if I'm in a sofa then that wouldn't be a problem....

[rowdy]

A sofa probably would not provide a sufficiently ergonomic platform for extended sessions of work.

Too low, too soft - you'd be leaning backwards too much.

[roaming pear]

How about one of those tiny Desks you might see in an old Japanese household? Not even sure if that can be even found easily... But they area really short and the chair sits directly on the ground, meaning you are only maybe 3 inches from the floor...

[intelli78]

Standing desk? There's the GeekDesk as well as that one that recently ended on Kickstarter... looks to be good quality and somewhat cheaper. I would really like to get one at some point. I use elevated desks all the time but nothing as nice as these adjustable ones.

[Pacifist]

like a coffee table? Posture would be ****, monitor so far away, you might as well just use a tv instead.

[Lycoth]

One of the tech pages I follow on Facebook posted a picture not long ago about a guy who had modded a coffee table, so it swivels around to give him mouse and keyboard when he needs it, but he can just move it to the side like a normal coffee table (albeit with a mouse and keyboard on) for when he just wants a normal sofa. Not my cup of tea, but definitely inventive. I'll see if I can find the picture!

Edit: Found it. Thought this was pretty awesome. Not sure about comfortable though!

https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/10320890_10201173811026290_1236310670719978766_o.jpg

[roaming pear]

Those are all interesting.  Thank you for sharing...


After reading some of the posts, the idea of the standing desk got my attention.... But of course they are really expensive...


What do you think of using a drawer or shelf as a standing desk?
 

[acantha]

one of my coworkers dumped a stack of printer paper boxes on his desk and viola, standing desk. ya don't have to be fancy about it.

[SpAmRaY]

There's always this...

http://www.thisiswhyimbroke.com/ultimate-computer-station

But personally for me I find sitting on the couch to cause back problems after sitting for too long.

[roaming pear]

That looks awesome.  Wow~


I think I'm going to try standing and using the computer for a while. I already set up my computer my drawers and It might just be my imagination, but it already feels like my back feels a little better...

[davkol]

Standing setups aren't necessarily expensive, see the $22 Ikea Hacker desk: http://iamnotaprogrammer.com/Ikea-Standing-desk-for-22-dollars.html That's what I use anyway.

[intelli78]

That looks awesome.  Wow~


I think I'm going to try standing and using the computer for a while. I already set up my computer my drawers and It might just be my imagination, but it already feels like my back feels a little better...

That's not your imagination, dude. 

IMO it's best if you can elevate your existing desk, so it has open space under it. If you use a dresser or something like that, you can't get your body and feet closer to/under it where they belong. Also, make sure it's nice and high -- remember, you should be looking pretty much straight ahead at your monitor. If you have to look down, you're going to cause other pain/problems.

[roaming pear]

That looks awesome.  Wow~


I think I'm going to try standing and using the computer for a while. I already set up my computer my drawers and It might just be my imagination, but it already feels like my back feels a little better...

That's not your imagination, dude. 

IMO it's best if you can elevate your existing desk, so it has open space under it. If you use a dresser or something like that, you can't get your body and feet closer to/under it where they belong. Also, make sure it's nice and high -- remember, you should be looking pretty much straight ahead at your monitor. If you have to look down, you're going to cause other pain/problems.

Why is it important to have open space under it?  And why do my feet belong under it? 
I already elevated my monitor and keyboard with three giant books... 2 for the monitor and one for the keyboard... I might have to elevate the monitor one m ore book height....

[intelli78]

If it's comfortable, more power to you. Personally, I am most comfortable when I am close enough to have my chest against the edge of the desk, which requires the feet to go under, or you'll be leaning. But if your setup works, go for it!

That Ikea contraption is clever, but I can't imagine having that little surface area to deal with. I like lots of space, and particularly, lots of depth.

[roaming pear]

It seems to be working for me now, but I'm still feeling some pain, but it might either be that I am not used to standing up so much or I haven't quite recovered  from a lifetime of slouching on a computer chair. 

[rowdy]

There's always this...

http://www.thisiswhyimbroke.com/ultimate-computer-station

But personally for me I find sitting on the couch to cause back problems after sitting for too long.

Awesome!  But ... my first thought when I saw that: