As part of a home office refresh I am mulling a sitting/standing desk and in particular the Ikea Idasen one (below).
Has anyone got feedback on how they find a standing desk please. Do you use the standing aspect much?
Does it work OK with lots of tech sitting on top? (iMac, additional 28" monitor, microphone boom arm etc etc)
I do a lot of video course production so I have been thinking it may help to record from the standing position with the desk high.
Any thoughts or comments appreciated.
I got one about 18 months ago, really like it but being honest I don’t use the standing element enough, is good when my back is sore and will use it for a couple of hours just to change position.
In terms of weight, no issues there, previously used an iMac and second monitor and now a Mac mini, egpu and monitor. My iPad, generally a coffee and at one point also had Xbox one on it. Along side that currently my work laptop, desk has no issues moving with them on it.
HTH
Over here in Sweden, we’ve had standing desks in open plan offices for the last 15-20 years or so. I see a lot of my colleagues using the feature quite a bit. Personally, I prefer sitting - esp if I have a good chair. I do use the height adjustment at times, to get the laptop screen in a more comfortable position when attending an online meeting or watching training videos.
Cost wise, I do believe they have come down to a modest level. (Provided you will use the feature, naturally.)
I’ve been working behind a standing desk for more than 15 years now. (our offices have them as standard) Works great if you vary your position frequently. I keep to a 1 hour sitting - 30 minutes standing schedule.
At home I have an IKEA standing desk which easily lifts my iMac dual screen setup.
I bought one from IKEA about three months ago and I really like it. I use the desk sitting down mostly and it’s got my monitor, Mac Mini, iPad and things on it.
But, sometimes I like to stand up for a few hours so that’s really good, and I’ve also found it really really useful for my audio and video recording, because I can get my camera and everything and iPad for the script at the right level without me having to worry too much about my chair.
I bet there’s a better way to do what I’m doing really. However, I found this convenient and pretty economical too.
I love standing desks! I’ve actually gotten rid of my desk chair. Most days I only sit when I eat meals.
If you’re planning to purchase a good quality standing desk, there’s nothing to worry about with weight. What I ran in to, is I had a couple of devices didn’t have long enough cables. (Which isn’t a big deal)
I bought that desk about 6 months ago and I am very pleased with it. I alternate among standing, half-sitting on a tall stool, and sitting. The base is very heavy (I was glad I had someone to help me carry the boxes up the stairs) and the desk is very stable. It was easy to assemble and it operates smoothly. I like the tab to raise and lower. I did also set up the app that goes with it and that worked fine too, although I don’t use it much. The biggest load I have had on it is 15” MBP plus external monitor plus Brother laser printer and it was no problem. I think the wood veneer surface is not bad. My only complaint is that the mesh net underneath for cable management could be a little roomier. That’s a pretty small deal though.
Thanks for the replies all. Very useful to hear your comments and has heightened my interest in the standing desk.
I think that, based on your feedback, weight will not be an issue but I will need to plan my cables carefully and leave plenty of spare by the sound of it.
I went for a Fully Jarvis, it’s got no problems raising and lowering 2 laptops, 2 heavy monitors, monitor arms, speakers and loads of other desk-clutter. The Jarvis website says it’s got a lift capacity of 158kg (inc desktop which is probably around 20kg maybe), looks like the IKEA one has a max 75kg load. I would guess you’re unlikely to exceed either limit there! 
So far I’ve been really happy with the Jarvis! Even when sitting, being able to fine tune the exact hight is lovely depending on if I’m bolt up-right concentrating or lounging back watching a video. Being able to set it to standing is also great for working with someone else so they’re not having to lean over.
I don’t use the standing feature everyday but at least a few times a week. To be fair, I think it takes a while to get used to the fact that you can stand up. Probably need to set myself a reminder to use that feature a little more often.
Some things to keep in mind when shopping:
I second the Jarvis nomination. It’s heavy-duty, but it’s not really that heavy, if you need to move it.
I love mine, and weight on the desk is no problem. I even have my old typewriter on it. Have I mentioned I have an old manual typewriter?
I’ve been using a standing desk in various forms over the past 7 years. Ive found that I can’t concentrate on “deep work” when standing. I would often use it at the office when I first got in and was processing email and planning my day. Then would sit for the actual work.
It was also helpful for days when I was coming and going from my computer often. Makes it easier to duck into the Mac and then head to a meeting or to do something away from the desk.
Since I’ve been home and don’t have a stand up desk, I’ve found that feet up on the desk with the laptop in my lap is the new deep work mode, where sitting normally at my desk is the new standing mode for admin type work.
The benefit, for me, has is less about standing, and more about options and changing things up.
Ultimately anything that gives you the ability to vary your positions throughout the day is a good idea.
I love my standing desk for when I’m on zoom calls or running virtual workshops. My posture changes my mood and I come across as a lot livelier (I’ve been told) than when seated. The webcam, atop my monitor, picks me up much better than when I’m seated too.
I still ache after using it … just in different places, because I’m using different muscles. I got it because sitting felt like it was killing me - i hurt all the time - and I think the key is to move between standing and sitting, rather than just choosing one mode.
Even more important: get a good standing mat. They make a huge difference. Checkout staff and machine operators - people who stand all day - use them. So should you.
I have a standing desk for about two years. I don’t use it exclusive. I mix up standing and sitting. For standing, comfortable standing shoes are important or a gel mat. And move around. My desk is loaded up with a large Apple monitor display and heavy books. The desk goes up and down electrically, no problem.
Agree with you Kevin. Deep work pairs well with sitting down. Standing or even sitting in different location helps with planning & ideas. Varying positions through the day helps; though need to constantly remind myself to shift around!
Which one did you get from Ikea? They have a few?
Using an uplift desk (https://www.upliftdesk.com/ ) for the past several months and I love it. Now that I’m working from home 3 days a week it’s nice to be able to stand up and get the legs stretched after I’ve been sitting for 2-3 hours. Having multiple programmed desk heights allows me to go from sitting, to standing with keyboard at waist height, and then keyboard at chest height while leaning on the desk. There are also a lot of cool extras like an under the desk hammock that I use to prop my legs up when sitting, and an under the desk exercise bike that lets me get a mini-workout while getting work done. There are also tons of cable management options which have provided me with the cleanest desk setup I’ve ever had. I can’t say enough good things about my standing desk! Make the purchase, you’ll never go back after using one.
Thanks @Izzy, sounds like good advice. I am particularly keen on good cable management and have a Drobo and music system which I am planning to hide in another small unit on the floor under the desk.
Uplift Desk has good selection but based on US meaning high shipping cost and power converter required for Australia. Looking around for equivalent in Sydney. You guys have it good in US 
I got the IdĂĄsen in the smaller of the two sizes (120 x 70 cm).
I just tasked our office manager with replacing my desk with a standing desk (motorized, presets,…). Let’s see how that works…
