Here is a confession: I’ve by no means appreciated the thought of a standing desk. I am effectively conscious of the well being dangers related to sitting down all day and the claims that it is the new smoking, however to me, standing up whereas typing sounds as unappealing and unnatural as taking a shower along with your socks on.
Nonetheless, if there’s one desk that would persuade me to get off my butt, the Magnus Professional might very effectively be it. Developed by Secretlab, these are the identical guys that make my favourite gaming chair, the Titan Evo. It desk seems superb, with some good cable administration options and equipment, and it is an electrical sit-to-stand desk, which means you are not compelled in your ft all day, so transferring between positions comes as simple as urgent a button.
Secretlab has a fame for making premium gaming chairs with value tags to match. This desk is not any completely different. The usual 59.1-inch by 27.6-inch mannequin is $799, whereas the bigger 70-inch by 31.5-inch XL model that I am reviewing is $949 – and that is with out equipment such because the desk mat and monitor arm, all of which price further. Might a desk and a few extras be value greater than an RTX 4080 Tremendous? Furthermore, can a standing-desk skeptic like me be transformed?
To reiterate, that value is only for the desk, however I’ve opted for some extras. One in every of these is a desk mat, which is like an infinite, luxurious mouse mat that covers your complete floor. There are a number of out there in varied designs, together with Cyberpunk 2077, the Darkish Knight, and Murderer’s Creed. I select the Signature Stealth, now lowered to $49.
The monitor arm, out there for single ($149) and twin ($249) monitor setups, may not be a necessity, however the quantity of motion it affords and the way clear it makes all the things look is nice. I additionally went for a $29 headphone holder, a $49 cable administration bundle, and the $89 PC mount. That final one is unquestionably an fascinating possibility.
The Present Setup
My present desk is outdated. Purchased from Ikea a couple of decade in the past, its sturdiness is failing, although it has served me effectively through the years, transferring to 2 completely different houses. I additionally respect the massive quantity of storage it affords for stowing all my junk. It is definitely overcrowded and a large number of wires due to the Razer audio system, SteelSeries headphones, 34-inch monitor, PC, Echo Present, and many others. The facility strip and all these wires beneath aren’t precisely fairly, both. A change is definitely due.
Meeting
The Magnus Professional XL arrived in one of many largest packing containers ever delivered to my door. And that was simply the tabletop. The mechanical legs got here in a second hefty field, whereas the remainder of the equipment had been all in unfeasibly giant if considerably fashionable cardboard containers.
For all it might look intimidating, the entire meeting course of is fairly intuitive and the step-by-step handbook is straightforward to observe, although a powered screwdriver with a number of heads makes the method simpler.
I used to be happy that there have been no irritatingly fiddly jobs throughout the development section. Even plugging the mechanical legs into the tabletop was simple.
Nonetheless, heed this phrase of warning: I often take manuals’ advice that two persons are required to place one thing collectively as a problem, however on this case, it most likely would have been smart as flipping the completed desk from its again onto its legs with out breaking it, my wood flooring, or my again was concerningly troublesome, as you may see within the video under.
It is at this level the place one of many Magnus Professional’s greatest options turns into obvious: the cable tray. Not solely does this do an exquisite job of hiding the multitude of cables that spew forth from a number of equipment, nevertheless it additionally incorporates what Secretlab says is the world’s first fully-integrated energy provide column.
That is primarily a hid cable extension throughout the desk’s leg that results in a built-in electrical socket contained in the cable administration tray. Simply stick your energy strip within the tray, plug it in, and all of your energy leads can now be hidden beneath the hinged cowl. Only a single cable exits from the desk’s decrease leg to your wall. It is such a good suggestion that one has to marvel how you do not see this in each workplace desk (Secretlab says the design is patent pending.)
Equipment
The subsequent a part of the setup is the desk mat. At $49 for the Signature Stealth mannequin, it is not low cost, however out of all of the equipment, that is the one I would advocate most. It is comprised of a leatherette materials and comes with two steel sleeves for the sides – attaching these was essentially the most awkward a part of the entire course of.
The standard of the mat is apparent by how a lot it weighs when rolled up. There’s additionally a magnetic underside to maintain it hooked up, so be sure you roll it out in the fitting place the primary time to save lots of your self quite a lot of stress. As soon as the mat is positioned appropriately, the desk seems and feels amazingly premium. I used to be additionally capable of throw out my years-old Razer Sphex mouse mat as mice simply glide over this cowl like silk.
The desk mat is the most effective accent by far
If you happen to worth desk house and wish to give your self loads of choices on the subject of display screen place, take into account the $149 monitor arm. Made up of two particular person items that transfer independently, it is an ideal addition in case you’re not overly hooked up to your present monitor stand. It even comes with cable administration options, after all.
The setup course of, which concerned utilizing the included VESA mount and desk clamp, was simple. It holds screens as much as 34 inches, which is what I exploit. There’s additionally the twin package deal ($249) for 2 displays. The completed arm is sturdy and enhances the general look.
For many who wish to take the clear look to the intense, there’s the $89 PC Mount, which helps you to connect your rig to the within of one of many legs. This one I used to be initially not sure about. Having a lot desk house sounds good and all, however I really like the look of my RGB-packed Alder Lake construct, admiring the just lately purchased (and now sadly discontinued) RTX 4070 Ti by the tempered glass window.
There’s additionally the concern of it falling off or being crushing accidentally if the desk drops too low. And that is not mentioning the additional steps that will probably be wanted when including/eradicating any {hardware} or equipment. Nonetheless, I resolve to provide it a strive.
The mount can maintain circumstances weighing as much as 55 kilos. Mine’s a hefty boy so I obtained some scales out and confirmed the 45-pound weight. Attaching it includes first adjusting the rack to the peak of the PC – there are two foam ft to make this course of simpler – eradicating some screws from beneath the desk on the high of a motorized leg, then screwing within the mount. There’s additionally a width adjustment clamp with a lock button to make sure it stays firmly in place.
The PC feels fully safe as soon as all the things is fastened and fitted; no extra worries about it falling. Nonetheless, watching my rig head in the direction of the bottom when the desk is decreasing sends flutters into my chest – the handbook warns to by no means drop the desk decrease than 78cm (as proven on the LCD) when utilizing the mount until you need your lovely machine/flooring crushed.
I positioned my PC on the left leg as my ethernet cable originates from the left aspect of the room. One other high characteristic of the mount is that each cable that comes out of your laptop – energy, DisplayPort, equipment, and many others – could be routed up into the cable tray and, the place wanted, slip out of the hole between the quilt and desk.
Whereas wholly an pointless further, the cable administration bundle that consists of three magnetic cable anchors, two magnetic cable sheaths, and ten cable fastening straps is a pleasant if costly addition. The cable sheaths are my favourite factor as they stick with the rear of the desk leg to cover all of the PC cables. The cable anchors, in the meantime, are helpful when you’ve got extra wires in your desk and wish to tidy issues up; they appear very cool and use magnets so sturdy they might choose up a automotive.
Costly, however fashionable
The fastening straps are, effectively, velcro fastening straps, albeit good high quality ones with the Secretlab emblem. It is all feels very top quality they usually do hold issues neat and tidy, however the $49 price ticket is a bit steep for this one. I additionally obtained a magnetic headphone holder that attaches to the underside of the desk. The conclusion for this one is just about the identical: seems good and sticks brilliantly, however prices a good bit at $29.
We Do not Want No Stinking Cables
Routing my quite a few cables, together with a wi-fi charger, Echo Present, and audio system, by the tray could not be less complicated – simply flip it open utilizing the stiff hinge then shut it when completed. There’s loads of house in there, too. I additionally like the truth that the cables could be routed contained in the monitor arm by eradicating and reattaching the again cowl. The one problem I had was my DisplayPort cable was a bit too quick, so I needed to depart it dangling as an alternative of hidden throughout the arm.
It is value noting that each one this cable administration is not simply pleasing to the attention. Shifting between seating and standing positions a number of instances a day can imply flailing limbs that threaten to catch a wire and pull one thing costly onto the ground. No seen cables means much less probability of an accident; or so Secretlab says.
It needs to be stated that not having a single wire throughout this huge desk feels nice – I swapped over to a wi-fi keyboard for added impact. It positively brings a way of zen-like calm when in comparison with the chaotic mess of cables that was my earlier setup. And it is troublesome to specific how a lot I really like having a single wire and no energy strip on the ground; the entire room feels greater and tidier.
The Stand-up Expertise
Now it is time for the half I’ve not been trying ahead to. Being a standing desk means the Magnus Professional XL could be adjusted between 650mm – 1250mm with the contact of a button. I really like that the desk peak could be set all the way down to the millimetre, a characteristic that permits me to discover a excellent place whereas I am sitting. It additionally comes with the power to save lots of three completely different customized heights on separate buttons, which is clearly nice for leaping between sitting and… sigh… standing.
Day 1
Studying all I can concerning the professionals of standing desks vs. the well being harm attributable to sitting all day makes me shocked that I am not already useless.
From decreasing the chance of weight acquire, coronary heart assaults, and most cancers, to bettering circulation, posture, again ache, and even productiveness, I am confused as to why everybody would not use a standing desk. After quarter-hour on my ft, I do know why.
In all equity, the primary time utilizing a standing desk could be sufficient to place most individuals off them for all times. My fears that the typing expertise could be negatively impacted are proved mistaken, although. After discovering the right peak and keyboard place, my typing velocity really appears to extend someway. Three minutes into this and I am already feeling like a convert.
After 5 minutes, nevertheless, my again begins to harm, which is a shock as I learn it is supposed to stop this explicit ailment. Ten minutes later, my ft are in ache. Who thought standing nonetheless was so arduous? I am glad to know the beneficial option to begin with desks like these is to take it slowly, standing for a couple of minutes at a time each hour or so. Time restrictions for this characteristic imply I am going barely past these suggestions, however I’ve by no means been so comfortable to hunch again down into the Titan Evo on the 15-minute mark, particularly as I just lately obtained the Technogel Premium Armrests which might be simply *chef’s kiss*.
Regardless of what felt like a really disagreeable begin, I am keen to search out out if what I learn concerning the standing sections turning into simpler is true or simply some propaganda from desk builders. I elect to face up for quarter-hour each two hours throughout a 10-hour stint, and each time the expertise is similar: a really sore again and ft.
Day 2
I get up with my decrease again feeling like I have been squatting a bull. It actually hits house simply how a lot my physique has been used to sitting all day. I learn someplace that whereas going to the health club for an hour or so a couple of days every week is unarguably good for you, it is not sufficient to totally offset the harm fixed sitting can do. I am beginning to imagine it.
The one excellent news is that the ache would not get any worse whereas I am standing right this moment. I’ve additionally began sporting some extra snug sneakers, which helps.
One factor I’ve seen which may go with out saying: standing at this type of desk once you’re not being compelled to does take a good bit of self-discipline. Usually was the time when the thought of giving the subsequent stand-up session a miss crossed my thoughts, however I managed to push by till the bitter finish.
Day 5
My expedited standing routine means I am already on half-hour of standing for each hour, however issues are bettering. My again and ft aren’t as achy – in no way within the mornings – and whereas it is perhaps psychological, I do really feel usually higher and fitter. I definitely do not miss the feeling of useless legs when getting up after many, many hours in a chair.
Day 10
For each hour I sit, I now stand for an hour. It is turning into virtually second nature. I dare say that being vertical is beginning to really feel extra pure than being caught in a chair – although I nonetheless would not wish to stand all day lengthy with no break. I’ve even began the sit / stand schedule whereas gaming, which is unquestionably higher on slower video games like Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Dealer.
Bodily, I’ve little question that I’ve improved my posture. My productiveness additionally seems to have improved. The 2 largest items of reward I can provide are these: I now sit up for the alarm that lets me know it is time to stand going off (one thing that was unthinkable after I began this evaluate), and I am by no means going again to being on my backside full time.
Conclusion
You have most likely guessed by now that I just like the Magnus Professional XL desk, lots. Even in case you hardly ever used it within the standing place, the wonderful construct high quality, cable administration options, seems, and total really feel make this a shocking piece of furnishings I would advocate to anybody.
A number of of my much less techie pals had been unimpressed after I talked about I used to be reviewing a desk – one even stated it appeared a bit plain after they checked out the net photographs – however everybody had the identical response after they noticed it in individual: “Wow!”
Then there’s the mechanical facet. Solely once you’re capable of modify a desk peak in millimeters are you able to respect discovering the right place. And never sitting down all day might actually add years to your life. It is also silky clean and remarkably quiet in operation.
However nothing’s excellent. The full price of this setup is $1,314, together with $949 for the XL desk. That is an enormous sum of money, sufficient to construct a reasonably good PC. And whereas I positively assume a number of the equipment must be a bit cheaper, it is value remembering that these kinds of high-end desks are costly. Corsair’s comparable Platform:6 Creator Version Desk is $1,799, for instance, whereas Lian Li’s DK-05F PC case desk prices over $2,000.
Professionals
- Wonderful cable administration
- Construct high quality makes it very sturdy
- Integrating the facility provide into the leg is genius
- Discover your perfect working peak all the way down to the millimeter
- The desk mats are the right completion
- Simple meeting (with two individuals)
Cons
- Painfully costly
- Equipment may very well be cheaper
