(Post Master Sr)

12/03/20 08:17 AM

Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

Anyone settling into the whole WFH office, and plowing money into the whole thing?

I've been WFH since March ... Company's provided:
- 15" macbook pro
- 32" monitor
- wireless keyboard/mouse
- wireless active noise cancelling BT headset
- $75 monthly stipend for internet/etc
- $300 one-time to buy whatever you want

On my own dime:
- Some productivity software: Synergy, and a few others
- headrest for Aeron chair
- JBL over-the-ear headphones

Considering:
- Jura coffee machine
- Standing desk (low-rider; something that's ~24" at it's lowest, and memory settings) ...

(Post Master Sr)

12/03/20 08:59 AM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

Must be nice. We also have been WFH since March and were only allowed to take home our laptops. They haven't provided anything else. Did everyone get that? How many employees?

(Post Master Supreme)

12/03/20 09:00 AM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

Any recommendations on a stand up desk?

Senor Eduardo_82

(Post Master Supreme)

12/03/20 09:13 AM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

I went the Ikea route. Idasen frame with Bekant top (both the biggest ones they had), came out to around $700 delivered. The Idasen frame is sturdy as hell but the top is a bit disappointing. I figured I'd avoid all the new companies that have popped up and are doing group buys in case there's issues down the road I know Ikea will still be around to support their product.

(Post Master Supreme)

12/03/20 09:19 AM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

This one?

https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/p/idasen-sit-stand-underframe-for-table-top-beige-30412165/

How sturdy is at when at max height? I hear the issue is the shitty ones wobble.

(Post Master Supreme)

12/03/20 09:22 AM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

There is also this? Well reviewed, who knows if fake tho?

https://www.amazon.ca/SHW-55-Inch-Electr...24-135149aa9081

(Post Master Supreme)

12/03/20 09:27 AM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

Might order this as I have an existing table top from another desk I can use:

https://www.primecables.ca/p-362358-cab-...ack-primecables

Senor Eduardo_82

(Post Master Supreme)

12/03/20 09:50 AM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

Originally Posted By: Risky Business

This one?

https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/p/idasen-sit-stand-underframe-for-table-top-beige-30412165/

How sturdy is at when at max height? I hear the issue is the shitty ones wobble.

Sturdy as hell. The motors have a lot of weight to them and the legs are wide and braced.

(Post Master Supreme)

12/03/20 09:54 AM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

Originally Posted By: Senor Eduardo_82

I went the Ikea route. Idasen frame with Bekant top (both the biggest ones they had), came out to around $700 delivered. The Idasen frame is sturdy as hell but the top is a bit disappointing. I figured I'd avoid all the new companies that have popped up and are doing group buys in case there's issues down the road I know Ikea will still be around to support their product.

Nice. I went with the Bekant as I liked the legs better LOL. I don't adjust the height too often and the weight limit has been fine (2 x 27", 16" MacBook Pro, keyboard, mouse and misc. shit). Would be nice if it had memory function though. Like you I went with Ikea instead of the GB because I don't trust them and would be a hassle if anything went wrong.

The ikea ones are solid, mine doesn't wobble and most of the weight is towards the back with the dual 27's and heavy ass dual monitor arm.

Senor Eduardo_82

(Post Master Supreme)

12/03/20 11:04 AM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

The Idasen has memory, it's only on the app that connects to the desk via bluetooth though.

I didn't bother to set that up.

(Post Master Supreme)

12/03/20 11:15 AM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

I think I am going to order the primecables legs, seems like much better value than the ikea legs for the price.

(Post Master Sr)

12/03/20 12:07 PM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

200 employees. Everyone pretty much got that. Most of the dev got to bring home sweet 34" curved monitors.

We also had a few other thingies like metal notebook stand, etc...

Oh, and we just got bought out ... $\:\|$

Originally Posted By: SuPeR-MaRiO

Must be nice. We also have been WFH since March and were only allowed to take home our laptops. They haven't provided anything else. Did everyone get that? How many employees?

(Post Master Sr)

12/03/20 12:17 PM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

re: Standing desks ...

In the office, we had the ghetto hand-crank Ikea ones ... It fucking sucked.

Which, brings me to a few things you need to consider, which would bug the fuck out of you if you don't plan ahead... (#1 and #2 are critical for me)

1) Lowest and highest points
- I like to sit low-rider, plus the fact I'm a short Asian. I don't want my feet to be dangling, or my arms raised too high. There are fewer options in and around the ~24" lowest-height category ..

2) Memory function
- Trust me ... after awhile it'll be annoying as fuck to press and hold that shit to get the perfect height.

3) number of motors, noise level
- Most of the ones you'll be looking at are dual motor ... sure. Whatever.

4) Stability at max height
- I won't be doing max height anytime soon, so DGAF

5) Max weight
- I'm no hipster bachelor, so won't be banging a chick on the table

6) bump guard?
- Some will stop if it detects something blocking the up/down motion.

reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZi903mkis0

I've looked at Jarvis by Fully for their low-height stuff...

PrimeCables is confusing as fuck, as they have like 4-5 different models, but their price is very attractive.

Also looking for a 'contoured' tabletop, so I feel like I'm surrounded by desk.

(Post Master Supreme)

12/03/20 01:14 PM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

Originally Posted By: Risky Business

I think I am going to order the primecables legs, seems like much better value than the ikea legs for the price.

When I last looked the ones that are always on sale at prime are usually the low-end ones and their lowest height is still pretty high. I like my desk super low if I'm not standing.

Senor Eduardo_82

(Post Master Supreme)

12/03/20 01:18 PM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

Agree with 1)

2) is total BS. Sitting height is a few inches above the knee, standing height is at elbow level.

Cable management was important so I mounted a powerbar on the underside of the desk.

Getting the largest available top (160x80) was the best decision I made.

(Post Master Supreme)

12/03/20 01:48 PM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

look at you ballers

when I WFH because I have to (kid sick, daycare hut down due to covid etc) I have my shitty 14" laptop sitting on the dining room table next to cereal bowls while tripping over their toys

(Post Master Supreme)

12/03/20 03:58 PM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

Basically got my laptop and two monitors from the office. I bought a new printer as the old one gave up the ghost.

Need a new chair, current one sucks big time.

Also need some kind of hub/dock that will allow me to connect a second monitor. First one is connected via HDMI and I would have assumed i could use the usb-c port with a usb-c to vga connector, but nope. Laptop will only recognize one or the other, not both.

(Post Master Supreme)

12/03/20 04:06 PM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

I really like my Aeron.

(Post Master Supreme)

12/03/20 04:12 PM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

LOL my chair will randomly just sink to the lowest level for no reason, won't even be touching anything on it. Hilarious when it happens on a webex meeting

Senor Eduardo_82

(Post Master Supreme)

12/03/20 05:06 PM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

Lots of used Aerons on Kijiji. They have date codes so try to get a newer one.

We have a Haworth program at work so I always suggest a Zody or Fern. I had a Zody at the office and was quite fond of it. At home I haven't bothered to splurge on a good chair yet as I get out of mine so frequently. If I want to change it up I sit on an exercise ball.

(Post Master Sr)

12/03/20 06:23 PM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

Autonomous.ai is being advertised all over my Facebook feed.

Their chairs look super comfy but they fabric? They also have standing tables but min height is too high for me

(Post Master Sr)

12/03/20 06:24 PM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

My WFH coworkers got a laptop...

And a 10% raise across the board and and extra 4 days of vacation.

The rest of us on site got nada lol. Well 19 got covid lol.

(Post Master Supreme)

12/03/20 06:47 PM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

Originally Posted By: The Postman

My WFH coworkers got a laptop...

And a 10% raise across the board and and extra 4 days of vacation.

The rest of us on site got nada lol. Well 19 got covid lol.

(Post Master Sr)

12/03/20 09:42 PM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

Forgot to mention #7:

- the idea of that standing pad when you�re standing? You�ll have to move it each time you swap positions since the chair wheels would fuck with it. One video said to fuck the mat and just wear slippers.

(Post Master Sr)

12/04/20 06:56 AM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

For those with an Aeron and looking for a headrest ...

There's a guy on RFD that sells (new) Aeron chairs and office furniture. He can hook you up with a 15% off coupon for the Atlas headrest. (RFD commenters say the company's CEO ships it labelled as 'replacement part', so no duty.)

http://www.atlasheadrest.com

It's made me love my ~20 yr old Aeron again ... Though it is showing it's age ...

(Post Master Sr)

12/04/20 07:12 AM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

Just tried the JBL Quantum 800 headphones ... I hate it $\:\|$

- headphones too heavy. (Coming from the Jabra Evolve 75)
- doesn't have all the productivity / features as an office-centric headset

Deciding whether to go the opposite direction and get in-ear buds (though I really enjoy ANC and clarity of a close mic.)

(Post Master Supreme)

12/04/20 09:29 AM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

Originally Posted By: furball

For those with an Aeron and looking for a headrest ...

There's a guy on RFD that sells (new) Aeron chairs and office furniture. He can hook you up with a 15% off coupon for the Atlas headrest. (RFD commenters say the company's CEO ships it labelled as 'replacement part', so no duty.)

http://www.atlasheadrest.com

It's made me love my ~20 yr old Aeron again ... Though it is showing it's age ...

How do you like the headrest? The chair is damn comfy as is, but not sure if I'll use it.

Senor Eduardo_82

(Post Master Supreme)

12/05/20 06:27 AM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

Costco online has a standing desk for $299 today. Cons are that it doesn�t go very low and it has a glass top. Pros, it seems very solidly made, has memory and USB ports.

Might suit someone�s needs.

(Post Master Supreme)

12/05/20 11:19 AM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

I was lucky I had a pretty decent home office set up before this. However early on I did buy a Herman Miller chair. Sitting in the old chair for 40 hours didn�t cut it. Glad I did it so early into pandemic

(Post Master Sr)

12/05/20 01:21 PM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

Really depends on how much, what/when you spend time at the chair ...

I'm spending 6-8 hours M-F daily for work, then another 1-3 hours ~daily in the evenings for other stuff.

It helps, particularly when you're a bit more tired and just 'cruising' through some stuff.

You really have to consider whether it's worth it -- I mean, it's about the price of a decent chair ~$300 just for the headrest ...

I have the 'chunk of plastic' for lumbar support -- my lower back hurts ... Upgrading to the Y-lumber support is pricey ...

Originally Posted By: Hatorade

Originally Posted By: furball

www.atlasheadrest.com

It's made me love my ~20 yr old Aeron again ... Though it is showing it's age ...

How do you like the headrest? The chair is damn comfy as is, but not sure if I'll use it.

Screamin Type ARGH!

(Post Master Supreme)

12/05/20 04:08 PM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

Fuck guys, I'm trying to take notes over here lol

(Post Master Supreme)

12/06/20 10:40 AM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

Hmmm yeah will have to think about whether I 'need' it or not LOL

Mine also has that bar type lumbar support and works ok. You can try flipping it to see if it's more comfy.

Originally Posted By: furball

Really depends on how much, what/when you spend time at the chair ...

I'm spending 6-8 hours M-F daily for work, then another 1-3 hours ~daily in the evenings for other stuff.

It helps, particularly when you're a bit more tired and just 'cruising' through some stuff.

You really have to consider whether it's worth it -- I mean, it's about the price of a decent chair ~$300 just for the headrest ...

I have the 'chunk of plastic' for lumbar support -- my lower back hurts ... Upgrading to the Y-lumber support is pricey ...

Originally Posted By: Hatorade

Originally Posted By: furball

www.atlasheadrest.com

It's made me love my ~20 yr old Aeron again ... Though it is showing it's age ...

How do you like the headrest? The chair is damn comfy as is, but not sure if I'll use it.

(Post Master Supreme)

12/06/20 10:41 AM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

Originally Posted By: Screamin Type ARGH!

Fuck guys, I'm trying to take notes over here lol

Ugh don't start going down the deep dark rabbit hole of office chairs LOL

(Post Master Supreme)

12/06/20 02:08 PM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

Originally Posted By: loudsubz

look at you ballers

when I WFH because I have to (kid sick, daycare hut down due to covid etc) I have my shitty 14" laptop sitting on the dining room table next to cereal bowls while tripping over their toys

Similar route - work didn't cover shit (because banks = cheapasses)

Only I work off the reclining side of my couch (dining table is the wrong height for me) and no toy tripping (because I asian dad yell at them for leaving stuff on the floor).

Ah well; at least we get to WFH until at least April 2021 - and this set up beats unemployment, so... not gonna complain.

(Post Master Supreme)

12/06/20 10:31 PM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

Been working at home since wave one. Got a company issued T490.

I got a 32" curve Samsung monitor from work expense after my own 22 inch died. My boss says its "company property".

I threw away my box, good luck collecting it.

As for the desk, I grabbed a $30 one from Ikea as I had a stand up one at work before and I never used it for any meaningful amount of time. (it was great to watch for HR to walk by when you know someone is about to get walked out)

As for my chair, I managed to buy an Ergohuman chair for $150 from an office in the Distillery District that was going out of business. Its a $1000 MSRP chair. It isn't a Herman Miller but does the job. Even used HR were $500 plus. While it is worth every dollar, I rather not drop the coin.

(Post Master Sr)

12/07/20 07:22 AM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

I got set up back in April, my company didn't provide anything.

- picked up a dock for my personal macbook (have a work laptop but I wasnt going to buy a dock for it)
- two 22" monitors
- wireless keyboard/mouse
- I won a knoll chair which has been fantastic for my back

(Post Master Supreme)

12/08/20 09:57 AM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

Originally Posted By: hyper-s2k

- and this set up beats unemployment, so... not gonna complain.

agree. people are losing jobs.

they allowed us to take our office equipment home.
took home my old 22's screens - i tried to grab the new 24's but no luck

but most importantly the jabra headset. - beats the ones i have as spare

(Post Master Sr)

12/08/20 10:10 AM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

Gonna pick up:
- ~32" LG between now and Boxing Day deals ... (to replace a tired 23")
- Ghetto LCD table-clamp-mount to float the 32" I already have ...

re: office chairs, I've been spoiled since I started working ~20 yrs ago ... Always had an Aeron chair at home or office. Yes, I've sat in shitty chairs...

re: short-stubby-dangling-legs syndrome ... I've heard keeping a foam roller under the desk is a decent alternative to a foot stool thingie...

re: standing desk -- realized another fucking issue with them, if you have a tower PC. Get ready for uber-long cables, or putting the tower on the table, OR getting an under-table mount.

(Post Master Sr)

12/11/20 04:19 PM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

I've been working from home since march as well. Only thing I got was a used laptop. That was it. Connected it to my own gear which consisted of a 32" 4k screen, and a 27" 1440p secondary screen. I bought my own wireless keyboard/mouse for this work laptop, as well as my own docking station. I've upgraded my desk chair too. Chair, dock, keyb, mouse probabaly cost me personally $900. I don't care, it's an investment in my comfort. Plus I saved at least that much from not commuting so its all a wash anyway.

I never understood people complaining about having to buy their own things, you're time and cost of commute has reduced to zero so why complain? If it was short term then fine, but long term? Makes no sense to me.

(Post Master Supreme)

12/11/20 11:36 PM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

I saved $300 x 2 between my wife and I on Go train alone. Managed to buy a new bbq with that $$$ along with other toys. Along with waking up at 8:30 instead of 7am. We do work longer and more since there aren't coffee runs, and chatter.

It hasn't been all bad.

Screamin Type ARGH!

(Post Master Supreme)

02/01/21 07:46 AM

Re: Settling into WFH office; standing desks, etc

got work to get me good shit, got a docs note...fuck sakes.

nightgale chair, ergo one like $650
staples electronic adjustable desk with memory settings, pretty cool
standing mat, man this thing rocks
new keyboard/mouse