Top positive review
1 people found this helpful
A Very Nice Piece of Gear - Fairly Priced for the Quality
By Mark McDonough on Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2014
This is both well designed and well made - a tough combo to find these days. I have a pretty huge and heavy all-in-one (almost as big as the largest iMac and a few years older, so thicker and porkier). The "single" model holds it and a keyboard and mouse very confidently. No wobbles, no "oops, this could tip over!" feeling. One thing I found is that merely having a work surface large enough for your computer is not the only consideration. While the "single" is more than large enough for the computer, keyboard, and mouse, it took me half a day to figure out how to rearrange the papers, etc. I'm usually working on so that everything (including my hands) would fit comfortably on the generous but finite surface. I finally got it, but would I have been better off buying the XXL-sized "Pro?" Maybe, but this is a big piece of gear already and the "Pro" might be overkill unless you really need to work with books, papers, multiple monitors, big computer speakers, etc. So measure and think. If you watch the little video on the manufacturer's, you'll get the impression that it's really simple to raise and lower it whenever the mood strikes. That is a correct impression - the mechanism is secure, simple, and well-damped (so it's not like it's going to go crashing down). I found it took some experimentation to figure out how high to make the thing and how to arrange it so that I didn't get wrist strain (pushing the computer back so I could rest my forearms on the surface turned out to be key for me, but your mileage may vary). I don't mean that as a criticism - it's just a very different set up than sitting in a chair and there are a lot of options. The standard advice that the keyboard should be high enough so your elbows are at 90 degrees is a good starting point, but everyone's different. I read some reviews first, and it seemed like most of the complaints might have been from people using desktops or maybe wired keyboards - a bunch of people wished the keyboard tray would move up along with the surface. I use the keyboard tray when seated, and when standing just plunk computer and keyboard on the same surface, which is how I used to do it anyway. So not a complaint for me. OK, so how is standing? Great! I've had it for a week and I've used it in standing mode 75 or 80% of the time. I feel more energized and alert, and my back feels great even at the end of the day. I'm thinking the "sitting's terrible for you!" notion is spot on. The unit showed up very quickly (2 business days) and the shipping, while not free, was not burdensome. It doesn't weigh a million pounds or anything, but it's a combo of kinda heavy and kinda bulky and I appreciated having a cow-orker to help unpack it. There really is no set up - you just plop it on your desk or table and put the computer on it and you're done. You do need to make sure that power cords etc. have enough slack to accommodate moving up and down, but basically it couldn't have been easier.
Top critical review
46 people found this helpful
Photo deception promotes average desk riser
By Amazon Customer on Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2014
Display photo misrepresents work space. Also misrepresents keyboard usage area. If you are taller than 5' 6" you won't see the keyboard and you can't raise it with the unit. Others state they "love it." Well, okay, I'll buy into some of that, although, I admit I have never "loved" a product. I suggest those who "love it" aren't doing desk work where they can place a document to write from or edit or fill in bookkeeping, etc. In order to do that you'll need a box or two or some special device to hold them up to the level you'll be standing and working. Birando, the seller, and Varidesk.com have photos that misrepresent the working space and I suspect they worked at setting up that photo to make sure it appeared it has space for a keyboard, mouse, monitor and more. The "more" doesn't exist. Note these images carefully before buying. In the photos the unit is set high level here at Amazon and at a low level at Varidesk.com. In the (Birando) amazon photo, the keyboard is more like a mobile board from an iPad, not a standard desktop keyboard, it's barely above desktop level, (which the unit raises 5" anyway). They have the mini-keyboard and no mouse on the work platform, which, at this level, blocks sight of the fixed-in-place keyboard platform. T he unit, apparently made in China, is heavy and strong. Will work for many, but not all. Platform location is okay, but placing the keyboard and mouse at the same level as the monitor is not a good idea and as I mentioned before in this case, takes up all the spare room on the work platform. In other words: One size doesn't fit all. The platform is 30" wide at its widest and a standard desktop keyboard is 20" wide. That leaves 10" for mouse and any work documents, etc. That space, when testing a mouses range, comes down to about 2" open space. Both photos lie in that respect. Monitor is too close to eyes when raised high. Can't distance it, either. Small platform prevents use of mouse pad for optical mouse, which will not otherwise operate. Maximum monitor distance at raised level is 20" unless you get a clamp device that holds your monitor away from the platform. Platform too small for working with documents. Need a clamped device for that, too. Item is well built but restrictive with work space. Also, when lowered so that you can work from your chair, you'll find everything except your keyboard 5" higher (above your desk). That's just enough to cause neck strain when sitting unless you get a higher chair, which for some is not acceptable. None of the faults are described on the sellers page. If you think you can order and return it, think again. Here's the official note from this affiliate/seller: "If you wish to return the item you must request RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) through your Amazon account. We will accept returns within 30 days shipped back securely in original shipping box. Return shipping is at your cost and upon receipt and inspection of product we will refund minus the the original shipping cost. VariDesk is also subject to 10% restocking fee. Thanks" In other words you pay $27.75 for restocking. About $80 for their original shipping and $80 for your return shipping, or 187.50 our of your original payment of 275 plus any sales tax is not returned to you. Shipping costs, according to UPS and FedEx amount to $160 round trip. Therefore, if the unit doesn't work for you, you might donate it and take the tax credit. I'm listing with Craigslist and hope someone locally will pick it up. I believe Amazon owes its customers disclaimers and disclosures of known problems for any item a third party seller dumps on the market. Amazon does not back up this third party sale even though they state they do with their A-Z guarantee. This unit is not as described, but Amazon walks all over that guarantee with haste. Yes, many like this unit, and more power to them, but, if you work with other documents alongside you, you'll not really care for the inconvenience of not having same level desk space. Make sure you understand that the keyboard is at the same level as your monitor. That is not a keyboard pull out they flash in their video..unless you are a masochist when typing. It doesn't rise or lower and is unusable on a desk top when you lower your monitor to sit. There are plenty of competitive stand-up desk units that meet your requirements (and mine), so look around. Nearly all are good quality and cost less than this one. Finally, how did they hide what they should have disclosed at the Varidesk.com site? The unit is on a table that is wider. The special and small monitor is in the corner facing the table at an angle. The keyboard is from a mini pad, the displayed notepad is a 12" model and the table is only half way up. The male model pretending to use the desk is not looking at the monitor. His eyesight is straight ahead, not even down to the notepad. He can't see the monitor's surface. It's an intentional illusion for potential buyers. What they don't want you know is just how small the work surface is, so they camouflage it with photo setups. No, I'm not a complainer. Read my other reviews. It's just than when I get duped by falsified information and the item turns out to be inoperable and not to listed specifications, I want my money back. All of it. Amazon has always backed up their products, but this is a third party garage operation and Amazon should fight for us in these cases. After all, it was Amazon who brought them to us and represented them as an honest, straight and upright dealer. In this case, that's false information. As to all the "I love it" reviews? I don't believe they are all unsolicited. Amazon might want to take a look at that.
Sort by:
Filter by:
By -
Verified Amazon Purchase
Vine Customer Review of Free Product
Sorry, no reviews match your current selections.
Try clearing or changing some filters.Show all reviews
Show more reviews