I would shop around. Try overstock for starters. Office Depot and all are more tuned into home office furnishings than evil WalMart.

 

It's junk. I have a smaller version. Same brand, same finish. It's about 4 months old and the desktop surface is starting to bubble. Also, the edges of some of the surfaces are quite rough looking. But if you just want something cheap to get the job done, then go for it.

 

I just finished up all the work on the bedroom I'm going to use for an office, and now I need to start furnishing it. Like you, I'm looking for a computer desk with a black finish, and for use with a laptop.

For $80, you obviously can't expect anything more than a low quality, disposable piece of furniture - but that's not necessarily a bad thing. What may be more important is who/what the desk is going to be subjected to. Personally, as a guy with no kids and who takes care of his stuff, I know I could probably get away with a budget desk if I wanted to, and I just might, although ideally, I'd rather not.

IMO, if you think you could get a few years out of it, then it might be worth it. Otherwise, it might be better to invest in something of better quality materials that will last.

I think what would make or break the lifespan of this piece is the quality of the laminate on it.

 

For $80, you obviously can't expect anything more than a low quality, disposable piece of furniture - but that's not necessarily a bad thing. What may be more important is who/what the desk is going to be subjected to. Personally, as a guy with no kids and who takes care of his stuff, I know I could probably get away with a budget desk if I wanted to, and I just might, although ideally, I'd rather not.

+1
How much use is that file cabinet going to get? If it is daily use, I would keep looking.

 

You know, two quality suspended two drawer file cabinets and a decent door still make a decent desk setup. You can use the knob hole as a cord pass through. You can pick up drawer kits to add where you want.

 

Thanks for all the input, everyone.

Yes, this is going to be a daily used office set up, file cabinet will hold all company receipts as they correspond to which job they were for. I will also be needing a fax machine so the smallest option for a single lap top desk is out of the question.

I was thinking about buying that 3 piece set up and re-enforcing it right out of the box with some 2 x 4 braces, see if that helps. I know it's cheapy and low quality but the size of it is what I'm impressed with. Figure if I can brace it it'll last a bit longer...?

I dunno, the search is still on. I've stopped at Office Depot today and at a local furniture outlet but nothing remotely close offered to that one set up which I really like the look and size and overall capability (being a three piece with a file cabinet and a shelving unit with the desk) that this one has. But you all are right of course, I'm just not sure how long it'll last.

I want that same set up but more durable is pretty much it, higher quality.

I'll keep loOking.

 

Reinforcing particle board is not going to do a lot for you I am afraid but add yet more weight. The Scandinavians are pretty good about at least using and properly fitting decent fasteners in RTA (Ready to Assemble) furniture. I had a large, simple, RTA desk years ago that was made of fairly dense partical board material and nicely finished. It held up well even being moved across the country a couple of times.

Not sure I would expect much life out of a particle board file cabinet though. There is something to be said for nice suspension file drawers if you are going to be opening and closing the things on a regular basis.

Speaking of Scandinavian stuff, you inspired me to look at my last IKEA catalog. If you are going to go RTA you might browse their site for desks and things. There is a store out in the burbs but IKEA caught on that they needed to be able to arrange delivery since not all of us would trek all the way out there.

And just for fun (and I will do same) google RTA office furniture and see what pops up?

In my home office in Cincinnati I had some nice steel frame, wire cable, and glass top units that were inexpensive and really nice looking. Had to buy separate cabinets for drawers and of course had real file cabinets. Stuck them in a closet with office supplies and so forth.

 

I meant re-enforce the bottom, under the desk from left to right side to negate any possible wobbling. I wasn't going to put wood on the desk top or anything.

Anyways, I just went out again to another Office Depot. This one had this desk and hutch on sale (over 50% off) for $149.99. I kind of liked it but it was so dang big and you can only purchase the entire desk and hutch. The hutch would be overwhelming to the room, just competely taking it over. That's not what I want but still, for the price and quality maybe I can leave the hutch in the garage. or sell it. or burn it.

File cabinet on the lower left.

I almost pulled the trigger, almost.

 

I will not suggest my recent search was exhaustive but I did explore some RTA office furniture sites and Overstock.com. That desk and hutch for $149 seems like a pretty good deal and the hardware looks decent? Not that it matters but are they going to give you a new one or sell you the display?

Your idea to repurpose or sell the hutch seems like a reasonable plan, especially for the price. It does have some nice cubby holes. Could you fit it in a closet to store paper, office supplies and so forth. Rather a shame to give up the segmented storage capability?

I would not burn it.

You are certainly better off than where you started today with that WalMart thing.

 

. That desk and hutch for $149 seems like a pretty good deal and the hardware looks decent? Not that it matters but are they going to give you a new one or sell you the display?

New in the box. I asked, they have a few.

 

Come back!! Waddya think about this? Found it on Craigslist just now. It's from Pier One Imports originally, guy wants $75 for both desk and chair. Now this way I can buy a small shelf and a small black file cabinet to match and to put my new (soon) fax machine on. I like the open look, not boxed in like in the pic of the desk I posted previously. And it's Pier One so good quallity, solid. It's got the drawer in the middle as well.

I asked if the price was negotiable and he said he would come down so I'm thinking $60.

 

Nice simple lines. Price is right. Pier 1 quality is usually good. Are you going to have enough desk surface area though? By the time you fit your laptop and I presume a printer there will not be much room left for a stapler, pencil cup, etc. let alone a stack of papers you might be working from?

 

I'll be putting the all in one Epson/printer/scanner/fax machine on the file cabinet that I'll be purchasing.

I thought of that as well. The other desk has a lot of top room although the hutch cuts into it quite a bit. I guess I'll at least go and loOk at this Pier One desk and think about the price compared to the desk/hutch set. My whole goal is to have some room in the room but the price of the hutch/desk thing is so good I can't get it out of my head now. Plus I could move it into an actual office later on.

Ack, if I wasn't bipolar before I am now.

 

Ack, if I wasn't bipolar before I am now.

Take your meds. It is just a desk!:laughing:

 

For a reference point. $69 Micke Desk from IKEA. Painted and powder-coated steel. W55-7/8xD19-5/8xH29-1/2. White 902.143.08. Would have to have it shipped if no IKEA near you. Would probably want to paint your file cabinets to match but that will take a couple rattle cans of spray paint and half an hour.

It looks like one side is solid and the other a steel frame. Not sure I am wild about that but if you have a file cabinet next to it anyhow it might not matter.

 

I already checked Ikea online, saw that. Not too thrilled about the color or the sides, like yourself.

I want black or dark wood, a mature look if that makes sense.

 

Okay, the guy just said he also has a matching 6' book shelf. Hmmm...

I'm going to go and check it out, see if he can give me a deal. Thanks for your time, sdsester. I might be back with something.

 

At least I am confident the Wall family will get no major desk purchase from you today. My work on this was worth it for that reason alone. Hate that company and its approach to doing business.

 

Hey now, I buy all my Wrangler boOt cut jeans from Wal-Mart, plus dog food (Kibbles 'n' Bits), the occasional already cooked, hot and ready to eat small lemmon pepper chicken for something like $5, socks and Dickies.

I know what you mean though, big corporation sucking the little man empty.

Well, that Pier One desk was no where near big enough and that shelf that accompanied it might loOk good in a little girls room.

Good thing about that is the desk/hutch combo is now the frontrunner.

 

People, let's keep this topic on ME and my computer desk needs, please.

 

I don't have anything against people who shop there - they're going to do it anyway. It's just a personal choice for me.

Good luck on the desk decision.

 

Was wondering if any of you have an opinion on this 3 piece office set from Wal-Mart. Thinking about purchasing it but was really wanting a drawer in the desk, under the computer where the slide out keyboard tray is. I need a file cabinet as well which is why this one caught my eye.

Btw, it's only for a lap top and not a tower that I need this for. Thoughts?


http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-3-Piece-Office-Set-Black/16401707?findingMethod=rr

If you are looking at Wal-Mart you should try Sam's Club. They offer a bit better selection.:yes:

 

I'm not a member. But regarldess, I'm now on to bigger and better quality. I'm thinking I have two days before the sale on that desk and hutch at Office Depot is over so if I can't find something elsewhere of equal or higher value and quality by early-mid day Saturday I'll be buying that one.

Thanks though.

 

Sam's club actually does have a higher end furniture line. And as far as being a member you can join at the store if you find a a deal worth it. The membership isn't too much and most likely will be covered by the savings. I think it would be worth your while to check it out.

 

Can I go and walk around wihout a membership?

 

I believe you can. But you can't buy anything without a membership. If they stop you at the door just tell them you are thinking of joining and you want to see if it's worth it.

 

Alright, I might try that then. There's one not too far from me.

 

Bought it. Have to build it but it looks exactly like this.

 

Child labor.