Home office setup

[andyt3]

Hi everyone!

I started a new IT job with a very large candle company, here in North America. I now have the option to telecommute to work, but I need to get my home office put together.

So, my general plan was to pick up a nice, L shaped desk and a decent sized external monitor to connect to my late 2015 MBA. I'd like to keep the MBA closed, and just push the picture to the external, while using a Magic Mouse, and Apple keyboard.

So, I guess what I'm looking for is any recommendations for a nice, affordable external monitor, that will function with the situation I have in mind. I've looked at the Thunderbolt display, but I just can't bring myself to part with that sort of money for a display. I have a VGA to Thunderbolt adapter, as I was using a very old monitor as an extension of the MBA display, but the terrible resolution was hurting my eyes, going from the MBA resolution, to the old external.

Maybe, the new monitor could still use that VGA connection, but at a resolution that more closely matches the MBA?

Thanks in advance for any and all help!

 

[hurley999jb]

We have these at my office and they are pretty awesome displays http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1163699-REG/asus_pb279q_27_pro_4k_uhd.html

 

[andyt3]

Also, does anyone have any suggestion on a desk?

I have to fit the display, the MBA, a Time Capsule, Apple keyboard, Magic Mouse (or trackpad), a Brother Laser printer, and an IP phone. Now the printer doesn't have to be on the desk, but I would need everything else right there.

Space in the room isn't a problem.

 

[v654321]

Also, does anyone have any suggestion on a desk?

I have to fit the display, the MBA, a Time Capsule, Apple keyboard, Magic Mouse (or trackpad), a Brother Laser printer, and an IP phone. Now the printer doesn't have to be on the desk, but I would need everything else right there.

Space in the room isn't a problem.

Without knowing your budget or style, it's impossible to propose anything properly. You can range from Ikea stuff to mid- and high end or make it completely yourself.

Since you appear needing help with basic things, might I recommend that you make a Greek vegetarian pasta dish for tonight with some wine. For tomorrow evening I would take it easy and order a pizza. Saturday I would do some grocery shopping so you can invite friends over and cook all together.

 

[andyt3]

Without knowing your budget or style, it's impossible to propose anything properly. You can range from Ikea stuff to mid- and high end or make it completely yourself.

Since you appear needing help with basic things, might I recommend that you make a Greek vegetarian pasta dish for tonight with some wine. For tomorrow evening I would take it easy and order a pizza. Saturday I would do some grocery shopping so you can invite friends over and cook all together.

Those all actually sound like outstanding suggestions. I may take those to heart!

No, but really. I was wondering if anyone had any general suggestions when it also came to desks. Didn't know if maybe someone just recently picked up a new desk, and had a solid recommendation.

I apologize for inconveniencing you with my post, but appreciate your response either way. Thanks for the suggestions for dinner for the next few nights as well...

 

[Tomorrow]

For a desk, I just went to a local office furniture store (NOT something like an Office Depot) and picked up a nice executive L for about $400. My monitor is an LG 29" UWXGA that I picked up for $300. I use a wired Apple keyboard and a Magic Trackpad. The whole setup works great for me.

 

[campyguy]

I've got a few field offices that are intended to last the duration of a project, 6-18 months, and there's some IKEA products in them. One of our "issues" led to some of their specialty products that aren't in stores but are available on their web portal. The main "issue" is that some of the staff are normal in stature and then there's me at 6'7"... Ahem.

The couple of "steals" on their web site are the white-only SKARSTA sit/stand desk with a manual crank or BEKANT sit/stand desk with electrical adjustment and several configurations combined with the NILSERIK stool. I personally use a muvman active sit-stand stool that's configured for my height (with a tall lift).

Check those out for some options you won't find too many places...

 

[andyt3]

Great, thanks guys!

 

[glenthompson]

Also, does anyone have any suggestion on a desk?

I have to fit the display, the MBA, a Time Capsule, Apple keyboard, Magic Mouse (or trackpad), a Brother Laser printer, and an IP phone. Now the printer doesn't have to be on the desk, but I would need everything else right there.

Space in the room isn't a problem.

Check Craigslist for used desks. Often you can find good quality desks for a bargain. Some office furniture dealers also deal in used desks. Somewhat familiar with the business as my ex-wife owned an office furniture company.

 

[pjfan]

Favorite monitor for text is the dell 25". Amazon has it prices aggressively. Definitely use hdmi, thunderbolt/display port, or DVI for your monitor, and not the VGA.

As for desks, I had surprising luck with stylish nice desks at World Market... But anymore, I'm more interested in standing desks. Consider the container store.

 

[andyt3]

I was thinking about the VGA connection, and have come to the conclusion that that would be a pretty half a__ way to do it.

DVI at least. I'll take a look at that Dell 25". Thanks.

 

[Easttime]

All younger workers should consider equipping their offices with sit/stand desks to preserve their low backs and cardiovascular function. Too late in life I replaced my siting desk with a Geekdesk and inexpensive tables in my home office, works great. Should have done it a long time ago.

 

[andyt3]

I'm thinking about picking up a Thunderbolt dock, something with HDMI, and just using a monitor that's compatible with that.

Anyone have any experience with a TB dock? Any recommendations?

 

[pjfan]

The Landing Zone worked really great for my old rMBP 15". It really just offers pass through connectivity to the rMBP --

Cheap passthrough: LandingZone 2.0 Lite 13" Secure Docking Station for MacBook Air Model A1466 Released 2012 - 2015

Expensive & Expansive: LandingZone 2.0 PRO 13" Secure Docking Station for MacBook Air Model A1466 Released 2012 - 2015

Check out Amazon with the above information. My setup included a Rain Stand, such as the mStand or mStand360. The HDMI connection to the Dell 25" U2515 is excellent package. I've found Dell U series monitors good buys, and 25" suits me best. Remember to buy an HDMI cable as well. I tend to buy from Amazon a lot, but just don't buy the cables at Best Buy . You'll need a TB adapter to HDMI or DVI, I suggest buying that from apple.com or the store, as it doesn't seem you want to fight over products that might not work well. Moshi has a 4k adapter that you might need (I'm not experienced) depending on the monitor you choose.

Best of luck,

 

[Tomorrow]

I'm thinking about picking up a Thunderbolt dock, something with HDMI, and just using a monitor that's compatible with that.

Is using DisplayPort out of the question? HDMI limits your resolution to 1080p, and DisplayPort (with no such limit on the resolution) works natively out of one of your Thunderbolt ports.

 

[glenthompson]

I'm thinking about picking up a Thunderbolt dock, something with HDMI, and just using a monitor that's compatible with that.

Anyone have any experience with a TB dock? Any recommendations?

I have the CalDigit dock and it works well. I have it connected to an older 23" ACD via DVI. I also use the Ethernet, audio, and USB 3 ports. Makes it easy to disconnect the laptop as I just unplug the MagSafe and thunderbolt cables and I'm out the door. The CalDigit is mounted to the back of the ACD with Velcro so all the cables hang behind the monitor.

 

[ApfelKuchen]

For desks, I'm a fan of IKEA's Glasholm/Adils combo - just around $50 http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S69903780/ It's solid, good-looking, very spill-resistant, it's large enough without being too large, the height is perfect, the legs are adjustable, there are several color combinations, you can disassemble/reassemble it countless times (unlike chipboard furniture)... I have a solid dislike for any desk that has a drawer beneath the desktop (knee room issues); altogether, this suits the bill for me. I have two, and one of these days will add at least one more (all for computing needs).

 

[andyt3]

For desks, I'm a fan of IKEA's Glasholm/Adils combo - just around $50 http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S69903780/ It's solid, good-looking, very spill-resistant, it's large enough without being too large, the height is perfect, the legs are adjustable, there are several color combinations, you can disassemble/reassemble it countless times (unlike chipboard furniture)... I have a solid dislike for any desk that has a drawer beneath the desktop (knee room issues); altogether, this suits the bill for me. I have two, and one of these days will add at least one more (all for computing needs).

I took a look at these, and the seem pretty good. Just what I'm looking for. Simple, basic, and clean.

Hows the height on this? Like, in relation to your chair? Does it work as a desk, height wise?

 

[ApfelKuchen]

I took a look at these, and the seem pretty good. Just what I'm looking for. Simple, basic, and clean.

Hows the height on this? Like, in relation to your chair? Does it work as a desk, height wise?

It's about 27.5" with the legs fully retracted, probably another 1" or so available if you need to raise it. That's always been considered an optimal height for keyboarding (a couple of inches lower than traditional writing desk height). I've used several different office task chairs over the years - never had a problem getting optimal position for both arms (for keyboarding) and legs. And as I mentioned earlier, as there's no under-desk drawer, so no issue with knee clearances. I'm 6' 1".

 

[andyt3]

It's about 27.5" with the legs fully retracted, probably another 1" or so available if you need to raise it. That's always been considered an optimal height for keyboarding (a couple of inches lower than traditional writing desk height). I've used several different office task chairs over the years - never had a problem getting optimal position for both arms (for keyboarding) and legs. And as I mentioned earlier, as there's no under-desk drawer, so no issue with knee clearances. I'm 6' 1".

Awesome! I think I'll take a ride to Ikea today, and pick one up! Thanks!