Subject: FAQ: Typing Injuries (5/5): Furniture Information [monthly posting] From: Dan Wallach Reply-To: Carl P Baker Followup-To: sci.med.occupational Newsgroups: sci.med,sci.med.occupational,comp.human-factors,comp.answers,sci.answers,news.answers Summary: workstations, their manufacturers, and other furniture info Approved: news-answers-request@MIT.Edu Content-type: text/x-usenet-FAQ; version=1.0; title="Typing Injury FAQ: (5/5) Furniture information" Archive-name: typing-injury-faq/furniture Version: @(#)computer_furniture 1.3 94/01/07 11:27:30 Prologue -------- This FAQ may be cited as: Baker, Carl P. (1994) "Typing Injury FAQ: Furniture Information" Usenet news.answers. Available via anonymous ftp from rtfm.mit.edu in pub/usenet/news.answers/typing-injury-faq/furniture. 5 pages. World-Wide-Web users will find this available as hypertext: http://www.cis.ohio-state.edu/hypertext/faq/usenet/typing-injury-faq/top.html (Dan Wallach's page) http://www.cs.princeton.edu/grad/dwallach/ This FAQ is actually maintained by Carl P Baker . I post it, along with the other FAQ stuff. If you have questions, you want to send mail to Carl, not me. -- Dan Rumors and calls for information -------------------------------- We've heard rumor of a furniture system called the "Forminco Power Center," but haven't found them anywhere in our limited search. If anyone can get us contact information, we can add it to the list. [Forminco can be reached at: Forminco International 4115 Sherbrooke St. W, Ste. 101 Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3Z1K9 514-938-2262 -- dwallach] We've also had some interest in furniture for the disabled (or whatever the current PC term is for people other than us TABs [Temporarily Able Bodied]). If anyone is aware of furniture designed for non-TABs or has had any luck using or modifying any commercially available furniture or knows about any companies who manufacture equipment for non-TABs that could be persuaded to develop something, please let me know. Furniture Information --------------------- OK, what we have here is a list of all the manufacturers of computer type office furniture that I know of. The style of furniture and any known dimensions are listed together with the addresses of the manufacturer (if known) and any known suppliers. Also, I'll make a rough stab at what it would cost to equip me with appropriate tableage for each manufacturer. DISCLAIMER: I have no interest, financial or otherwise an any supplier listed in this FAQ. I have not (at this point) done business with any of these suppliers and have no information about their trustworthiness, reliability, or ability to deliver the products they claim to sell. For this purpose, you should know what equipment I'm using. I've got a sun Sparcstation (Pizza box) with a 19 inch monitor (HUGE, 90 lbs), and external (shoebox) hard disk, tape drive, and CD units. All of this equipment is set on a 30 inch be 60 inch table that is 30 inches high. I'm using the table "sideways,~ meaning that I sit at the head of the table with the keyboard in front of me, the monitor and pizza box behind the keyboard, and way down at the other end of the table, I have the shoebox units. I'd like to have a table which was about 27 inches high with an adjustable keyboard and mouse shelf. The table should be at least 36 inches deep (or face into a corner), and it needs to be wide enough that I can have papers and such on either side of the keyboard. It would be nice to be able to put the shoebox equipment on a shelf or some such _under_ the table top (to preserve table space and reduce noise). First, some comments on "good" computer furniture. Generally, it is accepted that keyboard heights should be in the range of 26.5 to 29 inches. This means that whatever you have, it's too high. Many computer tables have some sort of shelf, stand, or table which raises the monitor. I think that this is a real mistake, as you end up hunched forward with your neck tilted back in order to see the screen. This is particularly painful if you wear bifocals (I'm told). Virtually all modern monitors offer some kind of tilt and swivel, so for the furniture to provide this functionality is usually redundant and silly. Many computers (such as mine) require a vast amount of table depth - I'm using about 44 inches. One solution to this problem to to design a "corner" type workstation which is designed to be placed facing into a corner with the users back to the room. This is a convenient way to create the required depth, and work tables can be placed on either side of the corner unit for a great deal of usable work area. However, you can't see anyone come into your office (your back is to the door), and I would expect that there would be a possibility of severe glare problems (it's hard to move the screen around to get rid of glare). The furniture, sources, and my comments --------------------------------------- 1) Bretford Mobile workstations These are basically a set of tubular frames carts on casters. Most of these place the monitor on a shelf above the keyboard surface. The only one that doesn't is basically a desk on wheels except that it is only 24 inches deep. It is, however 26.5 inches high. Prices run from $223 to $370. Known supplier: Husk office furniture and supplies 327 W Clark PO Box 886 Pasco, WA 99301 547-7593 2) Communicore CAD system This is a "corner" type workstation - designed to be placed facing into a corner with the users back to the room. All units are 26.5 inches high and the extension tables are 30 inches deep. The workstation extension tables have an under-table storage shelf. Basically, you have the corner unit, the "plain" extension table, and the "tilting" extension table (useful for working from prints or other large paper). Additionally, there is something called a "workstation" which is neither shown in the picture that I have, nor described in the text. Prices run from $225 for a 36w x 30d x 26.5h "workstation" (also available in 60w for $304) to $345 for the 66w x 52d x 26.5h corner workstation. A basic setup (corner workstation, layout table and extension) would run about $900. The flaws with this are in the area of accessories - no drawer space, and no over work-surface shelf space (for manuals, not monitors). Known supplier: ComputerVision 400 Horsham Road Horsham, PA 19044 1-800-786-2231 3) Ergotron This is a line of "ergonomic" workstations and "dense pack" racks for network installations. Basically, you buy a frame which can be fitted with legs, legs with casters, or attached to the wall. The top of this frame is about 70-78 inches above the floor; near the top is an adjustable shelf. To the bottom of the shelf is attached a "truck" which holds the monitor, allowing for the monitor to slide from side to side, tilt, or swivel. A "swing-arm" version of the monitor truck is available as well; this allows the monitor to be repositioned more freely. The frame can be fitted with a work surface (to which a keyboard holder can be attached) or with a digitizer support frame. Keyboard trays are also available to fit directly to the monitor suspension truck. No undertable storage is provided, although there is a CPU caddy which attaches to the side of the unit. Side tables, pencil boxes, and print holders are also available. Frame prices run from $160 (for a wall mount unit) to $300 for a freestanding unit. Shelves run $250; monitor suspension from $200 to $425, and legs from $78 to $800. Keyboard trays can run as high as $300, and CPU holders from $100 to $250. Known supplier: Ergotron 3450 Yankee Drive, Ste. 100 Eagan, MN 55121 1-800-888-8458 4) Hon computer furniture (66000 series) This is essentially a set of tables which match one another. Under table storage is limited to a center pencil drawer or a center keyboard drawer, either of which can be mounted to the task desk (which has no keyboard shelf). Cable management is provided. The keyboard shelf is a cutout/ dropdown; it's not clear if it is adjustable. My guess is not. The following table types are available: Table with center keyboard shelf (30 deep by 36 or 48 wide) Table with right or left keyboard shelf (30 deep by 60 wide) Task desk (30 by 60) Printer Stand (36w x 30d x 26.5h) with paper feed slot. Return (42w x 20d x 26.5h) freestanding. Cost is from $300 for the Typing Return to $500 for the table with keyboard shelf. Known supplier: Husk office furniture and supplies 327 W Clark PO Box 886 Pasco, WA 99301 547-7593 5) Image Setter Workstation This is a pretty complete modular workstation. It includes tables with and without keyboard cutouts, tilting tables, tilting light tables, corner units, keyboard trays, CPU racks, mobile files, drawers, and overhead storage. They also have connector parts that allow two tables to be connected together in a corner to form a corner workstation. Known supplier: Foster Manufacturing Company 414 North 13th Street Philadelphia, PA 19108-1001 1-800-523-4855 Fax: 1-215-625-0196 6) Mayline/Hamilton There are two lines of furniture from Mayline/Hamilton: The Creativity Corner line is similar to the Communicore cad system. The table height for this system is not listed in my catalog. There is a corner unit with under table storage and a "reference desk" with under table storage. The adjustable table seems to be adjustable for height, and it looks as if the reference desk top can be tilted. The adjustable table has no under table storage. There are drawer (pencil and storage) and shelf (hutch) accessories for the reference table and a corner shelf (for the monitor - yuck) for the corner unit. Costs run from $256 for a 36w x 30d reference desk to $512 for the tilt top adjustable table. Hutches are about $200, corner shelf $118, two drawer unit $215, keyboard/pencil drawer $91. A basic setup (Adjustable table, reference table, and corner unit) would run $1150; with pencil drawer, storage drawer and hutch it would run $1650. The CADCorner units from Mayline Hamilton are similar to the creativity corner units. All units are 29 inches high (too high!!), but they come in both 30 inch and 36 inch depths. No under table shelf space is provided, but a two drawer storage unit can be got for $336. Rather than a full hutch, a bookshelf is available (8h x 12d). A 20 inch wide keyboard drawer is available (where am I to put my mouse?), as is a two drawer storage unit. Prices range from $400 for a basic 36w x 30d x 29h desk to $760 for the 36d corner unit. A setup with the 36d corner unit, a 36w desk, a 60w desk, a bookshelf, a two drawer storage unit and a keyboard drawer runs about $2200. Known supplier: ComputerVision 400 Horsham Road Horsham, PA 19044 1-800-786-2231 7) Tiffany Office Furniture This is a line of stands and carts; there is a basic workstation cart (mobile bilevel table) for about $450 and a more elaborate but smaller cart (less available workspace for $400. The smaller cart has space under it for a printer. The stands consist of towers on pedestals with casters; The monitor sits on a stand atop the tower, the keyboard on a tray clamped to the tower and the cpu unit on a bracket at the base. Tiffany also makes a line of terminal stands; these are simply small tables on pedestals with casters. Prices range from $200 for a simple table to $320 for a very adjustable table. Larger units are available too. The smaller cart may work for what I need if the keyboard tray will adjust out from the table far enough; the keyboard tray is a little too narrow for my keyboard and mouse together (stupid optical mice! The only thing worse is a mechanical mouse; think I'll get a trackball). There is no workspace on this thing, but I could put it right next to a table. Known supplier: Husk office furniture and supplies 327 W Clark PO Box 886 Pasco, WA 99301 547-7593 8) Ultra View, Ultra View Plus, and Ergo Pro workstations In overall appearance, these units are similar to many "particle board covered with vinyl veneer" type computer workstations. However, these have the computer monitor on a recessed tilted shelf, so the monitor is angled up toward the operator. Unfortunately, they'll only handle monitors as large as 14"h 24"w 21"d. Known suppliers: MISCO One Misco Plaza Holmdel, NJ 07733 1-800-876-4726 Fax: 1-908-264-5955 Global Computer Supplies 2318 East Del Amo Blvd. Dept 51 Compton, CA 90220 1-800-8global 1-800-845-6225 9) VariTask Workcenter This is a fully adjustable two surface workstation. The keyboard surface is 24d x 48w or 30d x 48w; the monitor surface is 18d x 48w. The two surfaces can be tilted and elevated independently; adjustment range is 27.5 to 42.5h for the monitor table and 26h to 41h for the keyboard surface. Price runs from $2915 to $4052, depending on which of the lift and tilt operations are manual vs electrical and depending on table size. Known supplier: ComputerVision 400 Horsham Road Horsham, PA 19044 1-800-786-2231 10) WorkManager System This is a line of tables, corner units, dividers and accessories which can be configured in a number of different ways - corner units, clustered workstations, lab workstations, etc. They have a clean, futuristic look to them that I like; others may not. No undertable storage is provided except on the printer stand; roll-under type storage units and undertable brackets for CPU's are available. No table heights are given in my descriptions. There are corner units with keyboard shelves (where am I supposed to put my mouse?), tables 34, 48, and 60 inches wide, a tilt top table, printer stand, and laser printer stand with supplies storage. Prices run about $300 to $350 per desk or corner unit; printer stand is $200, underdesk file cabinet is $200. Known supplier: ComputerVision 400 Horsham Road Horsham, PA 19044 1-800-786-2231 MISCO One Misco Plaza Holmdel, NJ 07733 1-800-876-4726 Fax: 1-908-264-5955 Suppliers in this FAQ and the products they carry ------------------------------------------------- 1) Husk office furniture and supplies 327 W Clark PO Box 886 Pasco, WA 99301 547-7593 Carries the Bretford, Hon and Tiffany lines of furniture 2) ComputerVision 400 Horsham Road Horsham, PA 19044 1-800-786-2231 ComputerVision carries the following furniture: Communicore CAD system; CADCorner units from Mayline Hamilton; VariTask Workcenter; WorkManager System; ComputerVision also markets a line of carts of varying descriptions; some are basically traditional raised monitor computer carts, but one has the monitor dropped down inside the cart and tilted toward the user. This cart has a wing for the mouse pad and under table CPU storage. Runs about $300. Other accessories are available from ComputerVision as well, such as an adjustable monitor stand (swingarm), tilt swivel base for the monitor, and copy holders. 3) Ergotron 3450 Yankee Drive, Ste. 100 Eagan, MN 55121 1-800-888-8458 Ergotron is a direct marketer of their own rack style computer furniture. 4) MISCO One Misco Plaza Holmdel, NJ 07733 1-800-876-4726 Fax: 1-908-264-5955 MISCO carries a wide variety of computer supplies as well as printer stands, mobile workstations, secure workstations, ergonomic workstations, chairs, modular workstations and the Work Manager system from MicroComputer Accessories. Among the chairs the MISCO has are a nice looking adjustable "posture chair." I always called this type of chair a "back chair." It has no back, and supports the user at the knee and buttocks in a "tilted forward" position. 5) Global Computer Supplies 2318 East Del Amo Blvd. Dept 51 Compton, CA 90220 1-800-8global 1-800-845-6225 Global is another supplier of just about any computer related supply you can think of. They have the same "posture chair" that MISCO carries, as well as a full line of "regular" chairs and computer furniture. The computer furniture includes the Work Manager, Ultra View and similar Comfort-Ease units, SnapEase PC Workcenter, PC Perma Cart, and a host of other computer stands, racks and furniture. They also have some furniture which somewhat resembles traditional office furniture, including the "Classic View" desk, which has a glass work surface with the computer monitor located underneath and tilted up at an angle. Global also has a separate catalog of "Business Furniture." This includes such items as button tufted wing back leather chairs and couches for your waiting area; executive tilt/swivel chairs; wood desks, bookshelves and other furniture; file cabinets (including fire resistant); carts; mail room organizers and so on. 6) Foster Manufacturing Company 414 North 13th Street Philedelphia, PA 19108-1001 1-800-523-4855 Fax: 1-215-625-0196 Foster concentrates on the Engineering Market, with files for engineering drawings and medical records, layout light tables, drafting chairs, and paper cutters. They also carry the Image Setter modular workstation.