How high should a screen be on your desk? Current ergonomic wisdom says the top of the visible screen should be at your eye level when seated, but I don’t think it’s that simple.
One thing seemed certain — my Apple Studio Display should not just sit on my desk. I’ve used a glass riser that worryingly bowed in the middle, a hardback copy of the complete Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, an old camera box, an old, home-built wooden riser that was for my brother’s BBC Micro in the 1980s, and, most recently, a decommissioned Apple AirPort Extreme.
After recent medical issues, I was discussing my “computer neck” with my physiotherapist and I suggested “perhaps I should place my screen higher on the desk.” He agreed.
I did some measurements of the ‘perfect’ height, then added a small margin to it to promote looking higher up. I settled on an ideal distance between 100 and 110 millimetres from the top of the desk. Furthermore, I wanted something with a reasonably small footprint that was sturdy, and ideally with some utilisable space beneath it. I chose the TwelveSouth Curve Riser.
Crucially, the Curve Riser top surface is 105 mm above the surface it rests on. Perfect. Its top is usefully but not significantly bigger than the foot of the Studio Display — just enough room to put some of my ornaments up out of the way.
It has a slightly wider footprint on the desk. The total area is 245 mm deep by 320 mm wide. The ‘feet’ of the riser are large D-shapes that project inwards from the sides. A shelf is provided which sits about halfway between the desk and the top surface. This shelf is, in my opinion, the only weak point of the product.
After setting up the riser on my desk and placing my Studio Display atop it, I thought the shelf might be a good place for my CalDigit Thunderbolt dock. The trouble is, there is only 50 mm of vertical space and, while plenty for the dock, it is impossible to get my hand in there to attach any cables to the back. I eventually achieved this by getting all the cables in the right place, including routing, and then placing the dock in from behind — an awkward procedure at best.
However, the worst part was that in attempting to move a cable, I discovered the shelf is removable when it suddenly, and loudly, popped out of its mounting points. Trying to re-attach the shelf was equally awkward without removing the monitor and attempting it in isolation. Even so, the three lugs on each side of the shelf insert into soft silicone ‘plugs’ in the main body and these deform far too easily, meaning the shelf is extremely difficult to slot into place. Even after fighting the pliant silicone, the shelf didn’t seem precise enough to fit snugly, so I was constantly wary it would pop out again with great drama at the next opportunity. After a while, I removed the shelf and put the dock on the desk. The silicone plugs can be removed so it won’t even be noticeable.
Without the shelf, it is an excellent addition to my setup. The only other issue I can pick with it is the shipping cost. I ordered it together with a BookArc from TwelveSouth directly, and the shipping came to significantly more than the cost of the items.
You can order the Curve Riser in black or white from TwelveSouth for $19.99.
They’re not as aesthetic – but I have some very practical risers purchased inexpensively from Amazon.
One brand is Bontec. 100% metal with height adjustable legs. I have a UPS on one Bontec and a ScanSnap on another, thereby gaining desk space underneath.
Another brand is Pholiten, with stout snap together plastic legs for height adjustment. I bought the Pholiten option with handy side pockets the Amazon page confusingly calls drawers. I have a two-stack of those in a corner of my built-in workstation. It’s holding my “server farm,” a Synology NAS, 5 port network switch, and a UPS for that stack. The side pockets are filled with related wires and adapters.
As to ergonomics, I’m jealous of the one powered height-adjustable desk with heavy duty monitor swing arms in our office. Not an option for my office without ripping out expensive and still useful built-ins –
Thanks George. I generally shy away from unknown brands for ‘significant’ items (in this case, to look good and be sturdy) on Amazon. I know they have a generous return policy but outside of the USA that’s not as straightforward to do. Aside from the shelf issue, I’m very pleased with the purchase. In any case, I don’t think I would use the shelf even if it were improved, on account of the limited space above and below.
[…] recently been buying desk products from the company Twelve South. I’ve separately reviewed the Curve Riser and the BookArc and BookArc Flex. As a result of these purchases, and with my permission, Twelve […]