This is the first new desk I've bought myself ever, after using a craigslist desk I got for free about 12 years ago. So... I didn't really know what I wanted or what to look for. Honestly, I had three options I was looking at: a $200 desk, a $140 desk, and this one. I actually settled on the $140 one
, but between deciding to buy it at night, and going to actually purchase it the next morning, the listing disappeared. So I settled on the cheaper option (this one) instead of the more expensive one. (I wish I had gone with the more expensive one.) This desk is fine. It is what it says it is. And it's definitely an upgrade from my last desk. Here's what I like about it- 1. It feels SUPER sturdy. I was worried it wouldn't, but I can comfortably put weight on it (leaning my head down, resting my head on my elbows on the desk, using it to help me stand up, etc.) The shelves underneath feel just a percent less sturdy, but I imagine as long as you're not like, karate chopping at them, they'll be fine. I assume they'd be fine to hold just about anything. 2. The little drawer is WAY more spacious that I expected, and also way sturdier than I expected, given the other reviews. I've been using a fabric drawer dresser for a few years though, so maybe I'm just used to it. I mean, it's a hard cardboard with fabric to make it look nice, so it's not like this flimsy little thing that's going to fall apart on you. It's fine. I'm happier with it than I expected to be. Just don't, you know, karate chop it and it'll be fine. It did smell really bad when I first took it out of the package, but that dissipated by the next day. 3. I like the extra power outlets and USB connecters. For some reason, similar desks without the outlets and LED lights were more expensive than the ones with these things when I was looking for a desk. So while I didn't necessarily go into it thinking I wanted these things, I got them to save money. I'm glad about the outlets. I wouldn't plug anything that needs a lot of power into them, but I've got a lamp and a ring light plugged into this one and I think it's going to be fine. 4. I honestly have no opinion about the LED lights. They're cool to have, but I also wouldn't miss them if I didn't have them. They were easy to put together and stick on the desk. Most of the dynamic lighting makes me feel dizzy, but the static colors are pretty. I can't imagine I'll use them often though. I'm more of a fairy light kinda gal. 5. I like the monitor stand. I like the added storage space underneath it. It took some getting used to, but I like how it raises my monitors up a little. Somehow it feels more theatrical. And now, the things I'm a lil' sad about. 1. It's not a huge issue for me because I'm constantly in criss-cross applesauce mode, but yeah, my gaming chair does not fit under this desk if I wanted it to. And it's not even close. I'd need probably 6 extra inches of space to fit this bad boy underneath this desk. 2. The entire reason I got this desk was because I decided I wanted an L shaped desk. And believe me, I had my measuring tape out, I tried to envision what it would look like, I looked at all of the pictures. But I'm telling you, the L portion is so, so much tinier than you think it will be. I was excited to have some space to work on art and writing that I didn't want to have to move my keyboard and mouse out of the way to do. But I almost cried when I got the pieces out and saw exactly how small this bit is. It's a glorified arm rest. If you're looking at this desk because you want an L shaped desk, I absolutely do not recommend. 2. This isn't the desk's fault, but I didn't realize how much I would miss having a pull out keyboard/mouse tray. I know you can buy them separately, but I just didn't really think of it as a factor. If this had a pull out tray, the L portion being so small wouldn't be such a sad thing, lol. I wish I would have thought about that while looking at desks. In the end, it just is what it says it is, and it's good for what it is. But it's not what I hoped it would be. Don't buy if you want an L shaped desk. It's a normal desk with a weird bit sticking out. Otherwise, it IS good quality, and you can't beat the price. Attached are two photos. One is my 8 1/2" x 5 3/4" journal with my hand, to show size of the L part. The other is my arm resting on the L part, lol. It's really all its good for, especially since my chair doesn't fit super well. Oh well.
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