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Is it unheard of to use a folding table as a desk for an iMac?

T

Tymbo

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Mar 5, 2009
285
166
The thing is after spending $2300 on a high-end 3.06 4850 iMac, I don't want to spend more than 125 on a desk.

I've shopped everywhere.

IKEA is horrible for having the perfect desk for $79 that costs $155 in shipping!
and everything else has a depth of 24 inches or smaller. target, amazon, office depot/max, walmart.

But then I thought of a brilliant idea of having a folding table as my desk. It could be just like this, and be perfect, size-wise.

but is it safe and trustworthy to keep my soon-to-arrive iMac on?

something like:
http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/369009/Office-Depot-Brand-Folding-Tables-29/

I don't care if it makes my room look awkward.
 
Have you considered just a simple, small, rectangular kitchen table. Just about any thrift shop could hook you up. Put a table cloth or something on it and bingo!
It's what I'm using right now for my iMac.
 
I have to disagree. Its ugly yes, but it would work just fine. I have a 20" and a 24" side by side on $10 tv trays at the moment so I can get all my stuff transferred from one to the other. Im sure that table is plenty sturdy enough.
 

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VoodooDaddy said:
I have to disagree. Its ugly yes, but it would work just fine. I have a 20" and a 24" side by side on $10 tv trays at the moment so I can get all my stuff transferred from one to the other. Im sure that table is plenty sturdy enough.
Click to expand...

you are the man
 
VoodooDaddy said:
I have to disagree. Its ugly yes, but it would work just fine. I have a 20" and a 24" side by side on $10 tv trays at the moment so I can get all my stuff transferred from one to the other. Im sure that table is plenty sturdy enough.
Click to expand...

Where's your mouse?
 
Tymbo said:
The thing is after spending $2300 on a high-end 3.06 4850 iMac, I don't want to spend more than 125 on a desk.

I've shopped everywhere.

IKEA is horrible for having the perfect desk for $79 that costs $155 in shipping!
and everything else has a depth of 24 inches or smaller. target, amazon, office depot/max, walmart.

But then I thought of a brilliant idea of having a folding table as my desk. It could be just like this, and be perfect, size-wise.

but is it safe and trustworthy to keep my soon-to-arrive iMac on?

something like:
http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/369009/Office-Depot-Brand-Folding-Tables-29/

I don't care if it makes my room look awkward.
Click to expand...

I'm using one right now. In fact in my office I used to have two 8' tables and and two 6' tables. The only issue is not having any drawers - which means all your paperwork ends up going on the table top.

They come in handy. We have used them as a space for setting up rackmount servers on, packing and shipping tables, etc. They are also surprisingly solid (at least the ones I have). We had a table with a couple of large color laser printers, and two fairly heavy PCs (I would imagine close to 200 lbs) - and there was never a problem. When we need to, we can also fold them up and take them to shows if necessary.

My only issue with them is the lack of storage space. With all of the businesses going under, or downsizing, the deals that can be found on craigslist are astounding. For $75 I was able to pick up over $2000 worth of office furniture - so that is why we are only using one of the folding tables in the office still. If we hadn't come across the office furniture deal - I would have happily continued using the folding tables.

Check Craigslist or an office furniture liquidator in your area. I have seen some amazing deals lately - you might be surprised what you may be able to pickup for the same price as a folding table.
 
I use a 6' folding table as my desk. It works great and has a lot more room than most desks. They are very sturdy. Most desks in the same price range are cheap particle board. I put a 2 drawer file cabinet under mine for storage.

Most people who first see my den comment on how good an idea it is and how nice it must be to have all that room.

I would recommend going with the nicer plastic folding table. They seem stronger and more durable. Not to say the wood ones aren't good. Most hotels/conference centers use those for everything. I have seen them loaded with considerably heavier and more expensive gear than an imac.

The only issues I have had is the need to use a mousepad again. The plastic folding tables have a very bumpy surface that optical mice do not like. I also end up sitting higher than I normally would because there is no keyboard tray, but you could install one if you were so inclined.

So no I don't think it is strange at all
 
A friend of mine spent all of his saved up money to get a iMac and he didn't have enough money to get a desk at the time so he used the iMac box for awhile.
 
I have my 24" iMac on a similar particleboard w/laminate top folding table - same table I've used for my computer since my Commodore 128 days. I've moved it to six different residences, sturdy as hell. I love all the leg room it provides me - my wife has a fancy oak desk with drawers on both sides and I feel so confined when I use her 24" iMac :)
 
An inexpensive option that I really like is two inexpensive file cabinets, with a slab door from a home supply store as the desktop. You get file drawers and a nice large work space, probably for less than $150.
 
zhenya said:
An inexpensive option that I really like is two inexpensive file cabinets, with a slab door from a home supply store as the desktop. You get file drawers and a nice large work space, probably for less than $150.
Click to expand...

I was just about to post the same thing. You can even use the doorknob hole for cable management.
 
zhenya said:
An inexpensive option that I really like is two inexpensive file cabinets, with a slab door from a home supply store as the desktop. You get file drawers and a nice large work space, probably for less than $150.
Click to expand...
This makes a lot more sense to me than the folding table that the OP showed.
 
For $50 I built my own desk. Not only is it perfect for my computer, but I also built in a cupboard that holds all my paper and stuff. This acts asan extra sturdy leg.
 
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