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Any solutions beyond returning iMac?
- Thread starter hky740
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Another issue is I don't think the desk could be carried out my apartment while it's assembled because I have an odd L-shaped hallway. I have no means to disassemble it. It didn't come assembled but I had family here to put it together when I moved in January. With the pandemic, family won't be flying out here anytime soon.
Typing wasn't comfortable on the MBP either but I never considered that height was an issue.... knowing what I know now, it probably was. When I bought the desk, I measured it left to right to make sure it would fit in this little alcove type space but never considered the height.
Is the sheer size of the iMac the biggest hurdle in returning it to Apple? I'd like to keep it but the desk situation is complicated.
I can ask Office Depot/Max about hauling something out.
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The only slot for the top shelf to be screwed in is where it is now, unfortunately.
Typing wasn't comfortable on the MBP either but I never considered that height was an issue.... knowing what I know now, it probably was. When I bought the desk, I measured it left to right to make sure it would fit in this little alcove type space but never considered the height.
Is the sheer size of the iMac the biggest hurdle in returning it to Apple? I'd like to keep it but the desk situation is complicated.
I can ask Office Depot/Max about hauling something out.
[automerge]1598385583[/automerge]
The only slot for the top shelf to be screwed in is where it is now, unfortunately.
The page that you posted showed that desk with a top shelf (on the very top of frame), and a second shelf 6 or 8 inches inches below that. Does your desk only have the one shelf in the lower position (and not at the top edge of the frame)?
I don't know where you are, but if it was delivered I don't know that it would be a big deal to return it. I suspect you could just put it back in the box and contact Apple, get a shipping label and you contact the shipper to pick it up. I returned/exchanged an iMac once -- I don't recall if they charge you for return shipping.
But to be honest, it would be a shame to return it if you like it. I have to believe there is another solution. Maybe you could do something temporarily until it is easier to replace the desk.
What's a good height for an office chair? Mine adjusts from 22-24 inches, floor to seat.
That's probably a standard height. You might have to hunt around a little to see what the options are that are higher than that. A quick search came up with drafting chairs that are for higher desks.
My best guess is that you want a chair that is going to go around 6 inches or so higher than your current chair. But keep in mind your feet may not touch the ground, or at least sit flat on the ground, at that height so you need to know if that would bother you. Figure out how much lower you would want the screen to be and that should give you an idea how much higher you want your chair.
If you are an Amazon Prime member in the US. maybe you can look for something with free shiping and returns in case you want to try something and don't like it (although re p-packing could be a pain).
Ultimately you might decide you would prefer a different desk, but if it works, a chair is certainly lighter and potentially cheaper in the short term.
Hope that helps.
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And if your feet not touching the floor bothers you, there are under-desk foot rests available too. Ergonomically speaking, there's an angle to aim for between hip and knee height so that your knees aren't much higher than your hips.
If you thought I was kidding about pillows, I found this on Amazon: Seat Cushion Pillow for Office Chair - 100% Memory Foam Firm https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HD8B9SP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_BkyrFbJS4BHZV
If you thought I was kidding about pillows, I found this on Amazon: Seat Cushion Pillow for Office Chair - 100% Memory Foam Firm https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HD8B9SP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_BkyrFbJS4BHZV
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Part of the trouble with 36" desks is that they often have drawers below the desk top - these get in the way of raising the chair to an appropriate height.
My favorite computer desk is from IKEA and is dead simple - a tempered glass tabletop with four height-adjustable legs. I don't see that exact item in the current catalog, but there's a fair number of alternatives there - simple table tops with separate legs. Cheap, stable, ergonomically correct, and appropriately-sized (mine is about 40" by 22").
My favorite computer desk is from IKEA and is dead simple - a tempered glass tabletop with four height-adjustable legs. I don't see that exact item in the current catalog, but there's a fair number of alternatives there - simple table tops with separate legs. Cheap, stable, ergonomically correct, and appropriately-sized (mine is about 40" by 22").
This seems like the tail wagging the dog. Get a desk to suit the mac, not a mac to suit the desk.
btw, I had the exact same feeling going from a 17" laptop to a 27" iMac. It seemed so big! But after a few weeks I got used to it and it was a revelation. I suggest wait up to the 14 days return period and see if you adjust. It is like going from an iphone SE to a iphone pro max: at first it seems so big and clunky, but it is amazing how quickly one adjusts to the new normal. I suggest relax and give it a little time to adjust.
btw, I had the exact same feeling going from a 17" laptop to a 27" iMac. It seemed so big! But after a few weeks I got used to it and it was a revelation. I suggest wait up to the 14 days return period and see if you adjust. It is like going from an iphone SE to a iphone pro max: at first it seems so big and clunky, but it is amazing how quickly one adjusts to the new normal. I suggest relax and give it a little time to adjust.
This situation might be salvageable with a little drilling and tapping. Looking at your desk at the link that you sent, the desktop itself appears to be standard desk height. The 36 1/2" I believe refers to the overall height of the steel frame (the top of the desktop I'm estimating to be about 6 inches or more below that). Have you measured the height of the desk yourself? Nevertheless, it is what it is and you still find your iMac too heigh. Looking at the assembly instructions, there are two steel braces that span the length of the desktop and which are bolted to the side frames. It is possible to remove these and install them lower down the side frames. For that you would need to drill new holes in the steel and re-thread those holes. You would then need to drill new mounting holes in the underside of the desktop to accommodate the new offset of the front brace.
Or maybe just head on over to Jeff Bezos' candy mountain...
Or you could just turn the iMac upside down and rotate the display orientation (can you do this on an iMac?) 🤪
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This is a really good point. I was assuming you had actually measured the desk top, but if you are relying solely on the written measurements, this could be exactly right.
Does your chair have a headrest? Does it have an option to add a headrest? Sometimes I find that that can make all the difference if you're having to raise your head slightly to take in a screen. Having a little support to take some of the strain off your neck might make the situation workable.
I understand your issues completely. My iMac is sitting on a custom built worktable I’ve had for years. It’s 27.5 inches high which coupled with my chair at maximum height AND a cushion AND a footrest makes for a comfortable setup.
As a studio artist I do everything I can to make all my activities as ergonomic as I can.
Oh and College Hunks or similar services car remove your desk and donate it. Or you can probably find a nonprofit willing to pick it up.
As a studio artist I do everything I can to make all my activities as ergonomic as I can.
Oh and College Hunks or similar services car remove your desk and donate it. Or you can probably find a nonprofit willing to pick it up.
Short of buying a new desk, looks to me like it would be fairly easy to just lower the desktop on the frame legs by just drilling and moving the supports down? That is what I would do even if I had to add custom brackets.
Something is obviously wonky with the desk height as millions of people are working on iMacs out of the box without a problem?
Something is obviously wonky with the desk height as millions of people are working on iMacs out of the box without a problem?
I'm not sure. I don't have a tape measurer to yard stick to measure with by hand. I've tried doing it with a few apps but don't find them easy or friendly to use.
I've got the same issue: high desk (actually it is a dinner table) and normal office chair.
My solution:
- Sit a bit away from the desk.
- Make a special draw for the keyboard and mouse (30 x 80 cm wood panel, 2 slides, and some L-shape steel brackets.)
Something like the picture attached, but much uglier DIY modification.
My solution:
- Sit a bit away from the desk.
- Make a special draw for the keyboard and mouse (30 x 80 cm wood panel, 2 slides, and some L-shape steel brackets.)
Something like the picture attached, but much uglier DIY modification.
This is to 90's...... 😂
I like this subreddit : https://www.reddit.com/r/macsetups/
There's a lot of nice setup and desk arrangements.
As others have said, the desk seems a bit tall. You have a few options, I see it:
1. Return the iMac and order the same model but with a VESA mount. It’ll be $40 more. Look for a VESA desk stand of the right height ( or adjustable) and pair that. You can have FedEx or UPS come to pick up your iMac to return if you can't drop if off to ship back on your own.
2. Get a new desk. To get rid of the old desk, hire someone off of Taskrabbit for disassembly/removal or a place like 1-800-GOT- JUNK. If you know any of your neighbors, perhaps you could bribe one to help you take it apart or move it downstairs.
3. Get a seat cushion for the chair and see if the extra height helps you. If it does, use that as a stop-gap until you’re able to get Goodwill or Salvation Army or someone to remove the desk.
Your chair already seems on the tall side ergonomically, so I’m not sure you’d be able to go much higher — but a seat pillow to give some boost could be a great short-term solution.
1. Return the iMac and order the same model but with a VESA mount. It’ll be $40 more. Look for a VESA desk stand of the right height ( or adjustable) and pair that. You can have FedEx or UPS come to pick up your iMac to return if you can't drop if off to ship back on your own.
2. Get a new desk. To get rid of the old desk, hire someone off of Taskrabbit for disassembly/removal or a place like 1-800-GOT- JUNK. If you know any of your neighbors, perhaps you could bribe one to help you take it apart or move it downstairs.
3. Get a seat cushion for the chair and see if the extra height helps you. If it does, use that as a stop-gap until you’re able to get Goodwill or Salvation Army or someone to remove the desk.
Your chair already seems on the tall side ergonomically, so I’m not sure you’d be able to go much higher — but a seat pillow to give some boost could be a great short-term solution.
The Measure app on iOS is perfect for this. Just put the first point on the edge of the desk and then measure down to the floor. It’s incredibly accurate.