Desk Size and setup for iMac

You should go look at them in person if possible to help gauge the space you'll need. I would prefer an actual desk - those tables are just...tables. What wires you do have will be easily seen, and there is no storage.

lucasfunkt said:

I do intend on buying an iMac in the next couple of months but I need a desk and I'm cognisant of the fact that if I go for the 27" iMac I will need a certain amount of desk space so I'm not sitting too close to the screen.

The most important dimension in this is probably the depth (width) of the desk. So I'll ask current 27" iMac owners what is the size of the desk you use and find most comfortable and anyone else what would you advise?

I've been looking most closely at these two tables from Ikea.

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/S39903710/

Length: 120 cm (47inch)
Width: 60 cm (23.5inch)
Height: 74 cm (29inch)

and

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/S99903726/

Length: 150 cm (59inch)
Width: 75 cm (29.5inch)
Height: 74 cm (29inch)

I think 60cm probably isn't deep enough for a 27" screen but 75cm might be too much for quite a small room what do you reckon?

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I've actually had both tops, rocking the 150 cm one right now. The top is huge. The only reason I upgraded was because I needed space for my studio monitors. I use a MacBook Pro at the moment with a 21.5 inch monitor attached. I don't see the 27 inch iMac being a problem for either desks because of the small footprint but it's the depth that's really important. Maybe an owner of a 27 inch iMac can help you with how far away they sit.

lucasfunkt said:

Unless someone could recommend a good desk I think it just makes sense to go for a table like the two I've linked.

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I have a Galant from Ikea and I like it.

Well, my current desk is about 28" deep (71 cm) and I have my 27" iMac pushed back as far as it will go.

I actually took an old standard metal desk and made a new top for it. It's about 4' x 6', nicely stained and it didn't cost much to do. I bought the desk for $20 many years ago, I'm sure you could find one on freecycle or craigslist if you wanted to go that route. This way you'll have a desk with standard storage but the work area can be whatever size you want.

There's a fair bit of space I don't use in the back, but I used to have an entire filing system back there plus I had shelves above the desk. With the standard size, the shelves were right over my head and drove me nuts.

Corner units also have a lot of room but I think they overpower small rooms.

Just take a look at how it attaches. My past desks dismantled pretty easy - this one is a royal PITA.

Just a "think outside the box" thought.

I use this:
http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/80180035/
with a 27" TBD and my 15" MBP sitting next to it (and KB/Mouse).

I purchased it because I had little space for a new piece of furniture and it is not too small at all. It is the perfect size.

I also keep my Time Machine hard drive plugged in to the monitor and in the desk drawer.

lucasfunkt said:

And is that comfortable for you or would you prefer the desk to be deeper and have more space? It sounds like a good size can I assume you got it from somewhere in America that isn't available in the UK, that would be typical.

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It is quite comfortable. Plenty of room for the keyboard and trackpad and deep enough that your arms have plenty of support. I use an old desk that I have no idea where it came from.

There was another thread about how far folks sit away from their screens. I believe that the average distance is arm's length. I have a 21.5" on a 25" desk and the iMac is as far back as it will go.

This is my desk,

http://www.ethanallen.com/product?productId=569

...about 120cmx60cm surface area, plenty of room for my 27" iMac with additional work space.

Dornblaser said:

There was another thread about how far folks sit away from their screens. I believe that the average distance is arm's length.

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I sit a good 6-12 inches farther back than that.

I do too sometimes, like when I am watching a movie, etc.

Razorhog said:

I sit a good 6-12 inches farther back than that.

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I think it depends on screen size too.

Here's my current setup. I built the little shelf for my monitors so they're at the right height. Gotta love Ikea!

lucasfunkt said:

Really? Thanks for your post because I considered this desk when I thought I'd go for the 21.5" iMac but I figured it'd be too small but you're saying it's not too small even for a 27" screen. You don't feel like you're too close or there's not enough room for your mouse and keyboard, also don't keep hitting your knees and legs against the side of the desk. Those are the things that concern me about a desk of that size.

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The only trouble I have is because I don't have a proper office chair for it. Other than that, none.

Now, a side note, I am 5'4" so I don't bump my legs into many things.

Galant: http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/S99806947/

I'm currently using the left corner, with my 24" iMac on the corner and my 32" LED TV w/ Xbox on the long arm. There's plenty of room to swap out the 24" iMac for the 27" and still be in the corner.

lucasfunkt said:

Thank you. This really stumps me though, some people say a desk 60cm is plenty of room and some say over 70cm is what's needed. I don't know which to go for. Are you sure you never feel like you're too close to your 27" screen with that desk?

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I'd have measure it when I get home but its definitely in the range of 60-76 CM.

The arms on the desk chair prevent me from sitting up on the desk because they don't go underneath. So I'm at least 3 feet from the screen, the computer is at the back edge of the desk. But then again I should point out I'm 6'4", so I can sit back farther than most and still reach the keyboard comfortably

I keep an uncluttered desktop, just my computer and inbox, so with the wireless KB and mouse I have plenty of room if needed for work materials on either side or in front of me.

My must have desk specs:


1 alot space for my random crap

2 enough space for my legs when im watching a movie, so i put my legs on to my desk

3 maybe some more space for for notebooks and other school stuff

4 it must be black, i don't like other than black desk, but white might go too...

I had the same issue as I wanted an iMac but my current desk wouldn't work. I found this (and previous threads) useful.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1303119/