OFM ESS Collection Adjustable Desktop Riser, Standing Desk Converter, Black

I really like how smooth the desk converts from desktop to standing desk.

Perfect.

I have to admit, I'm pleasantly surprised by this little-not-so-little item.Let's start with the obligatory statement. Dinner theater. When you go for dinner theater, what you generally get is a not-so-great dinner, combined with less-than-stellar performances. When someone tries to do too many things, compromises are inevitably made. This isn't a standing desk. This is a convertible, shifting type of deal. That means it won't be ergonomically ideal for sitting, or for standing. Dinner theater. For what it is, though, I've seen a lot worse. And I've used a lot worse.Let's start with the basics. This is a big, heavy platform. That makes it a hassle, but it is, in some sense, what you need. You don't want everything shifting around on you as you bang your fingers on the keyboard. Weight lends solidity. You can actually type without your computer swaying back and forth, creating problems. You also have plenty of surface area on the platform itself. Lots of good there. The hydraulics for raising and lowering to platform? Nicely done, and everything comes pretty much set up and ready to go. All you really need to do, out of the box, is slap on the keyboard platform, and you are set.So, there's your good. That said, I do have a few complaints. I'm not an especially tall person, and even I find myself, with the platform at its highest, tilting my neck down. Your monitor should be at eye-level for proper ergonomics. If I put the platform on a taller surface, that would be mitigated, but take some measurements. The other primary issue is the keyboard platform. I use an ergonomic keyboard, and the space allotted for the keyboard on the platform is not quite right for an ergonomic keyboard and mouse combination. Think about that setup for yourself. Where are you putting your mouse? How large is your keyboard? This is part of proper ergonomics, and this creates kind of an issue for me.This is part of a secondary workstation for me, so I don't see these as absolute deal-breakers, but these are the kinds of compromises that are inevitably made when you make a workstation that shifts between standing and sitting. They are design features rather than construction features, though. From my evaluation so far, it is a solidly constructed piece, easy to finish assembling out of the box, and far better than what I have seen from other products.It is still dinner theater, but that's just the nature of the beast here.

I really, really like this product. To say that this item was "sturdy" would be a gross understatement. It is built like something made in America during the 1940's or 1950's. I had used a similar product that I reviewed here on Amazon a few months ago and my biggest complaint was that it was very shaky and moved around whenever I started typing. This new one really puts that model to shame. Weighing in at 54 lbs. it is a beast to carry around, but once it's set down the extra weight helps to keep it in place like a huge paperweight. As a result, no clamps or other hardware is needed to keep it secured to your desk. Padded, tactile feet also help to keep the product in place without scratching your desk.The product comes almost fully assembled. The only part to put together is the keyboard shelf, which is easily detachable with no tools needed. Depending on your situation, you may not even want to use the shelf. It is certainly nice to have though and is solid as a rock. Speaking of the keyboard shelf, it definitely comes in handy if you are using a tablet or iPad instead of a real computer. The stand comes with a groove notched into the top to support tablets and there is plenty of space for a mouse on either the main surface or the keyboard shelf. The oversized top surface provides more than ample room and support for all sizes of monitors with plenty of room to spare. The notched front allows you to easily run cables from underneath if the surface comes up against a wall. About the only thing missing with this unit is a cup holder.The gas spring hovering system lifts the platform easily with no pressure needing to be applied. Unfortunately, the same can not be said when it comes to lowering it back down to desk level. In order to lower it you need to simultaneously press the two release levers while pushing down from the top. It doesn't take a ton of pressure to get it lowered, but it has more resistance than I would like and is a bit awkward. This is the only reason I'm not giving the product 5 stars. It is pretty much perfect in every other way though.

I just sent back a Flexispot (36") from the 'Zon due to it's bounciness/clunking noise/overall looseness. The OFM Essentials 36" is much more solid overall. The exception is the up and down flexiness in the keyboard tray (likely due to it's center point mounting system) but it's not so bad to be a deal breaker for me. I love the amount of real estate this riser has! The upper deck is a full 21x35" inches and the keyboard tray is 8x31" (and is easy to remove.) You may want to take note that the K-tray is not recessed into the main deck....it extends out from it 8-9 inches (and a few inches below it) for a total of 28" from the back of the main deck. I dont have a problem with it but your office space may not allow for it, or it may just plain annoy you! Overall, this one is a winner! The main support legs (the base that rests on your desk) is 20" deep and 24.5" wide...much larger footprint than the Flexispot and subsequently much more stable! In fact the whole frame on this riser is built like a tank. The height maxes out at 16.5", a few inches shorter than many risers, so you tall folks may be looking down at your monitor even at full height....especially if you are standing on a thick mat (I am 5'9" and I am looking dead center of my 27" monitor. (My mat is 3/4" thick) and this riser does not come forward when in riser mode like the varidesk does.The other minor issue is that I use an MX3 mouse and it's large enough to use up every bit of space on the right side of the K-tray. Most typical mice would be fine in that same space. (I tried a smaller mouse to test this and it's easier to use in that space than my big MX3...but hey, I LIKE my MX3 and will put up with a little inconvenience to use it.