Ask HN: Really awesome chair for computer use?

8 points by swix 13 years ago | 17 comments

Curious if there is a known brand or some specific chairs for home/office use tailored for us hackers who desire a bit of extra comfort? I am talking about something like dentist chairs or something like this: http://videogames.techfresh.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Emperor_1510.jpg , does anyone here use similar at home or in the office?

UnoriginalGuy 13 years ago |

I've tried half a dozen chairs ranging in price from £30 up to £150, they were all terrible and all broke inside of 12 months.

So my advice right now is either go really cheap (£30) or go really expensive (£500+). Nothing between the two is worth it. It is a waste of time and a waste of money.

Also seriously think about your desk. My desk was too high and as a direct result I had to depend on the gas-compressor (gas-lift) working fully (to its highest point) or I would get shoulder/wrist strain.

I wound up getting an Ikea adjustable desk. They're less stable than regular desks (I have mine against a wall to stabilise it) but they resolve the height issue.

PS - Don't assume that just because a gas-lift has a maximum weight well above your weight that it will be any more reliable. I got one with a 350 pound claimed-maximum load, and the damn thing still only functioned correctly for six months before it started slowly leaking air.

bornhuetter 13 years ago | |

> Ikea adjustable desk

I second this wholeheartedly. I'm the other way around, in that I'm too tall for regular desks; and it's great having it raised. Good quality and great prices at Ikea for adjustable desks.

kaolinite 13 years ago |

Aeron chairs seem to be the preferred chair around here, nowhere near as crazy-looking as the chair/desk thing you linked though. They cost about $1000 or so but if that's too much you can get them second hand for around $500ish. I have no idea if they're worth it or not but a lot of people swear by them.

johnrgrace 13 years ago | |

If you ever happen to be in western michigan Herman Miller, maker of the aeron, has a factory outlet in Holland, Mi. The Aeron's sell for $350-$500 but other less well known chairs like the Mira can sell for $200 plus they are new vs. used.

caw 13 years ago | |

I didn't like the Aeron, but I think Embody is pretty great. Make sure you sit in the chairs. Herman Miller runs a bi-annual 15% off sale, one is around Thanksgiving.

My work chair is a Steelcase Leap

johnx123-up 13 years ago | |

Direct link http://www.hermanmiller.com/products/seating/work-chairs/aer...

schoash 13 years ago | |

I paid the 2nd hand price and it is worth every cent. Best chair ever and I have no backpain anymore.

jaz 13 years ago | | |

Where do you find 2nd hand Aerons?

johnfuller 13 years ago |

I'm gunning for one of these, but I think I have to unseat Arnold first. Not an easy task.

http://swordsedge.ca/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/kingconan2.j...

Or, if you are a Dungeons and Dragons geek, you might be interested in the Throne of the Gods for a +10 in coding awesomeness among other benefits.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Throne_of_the_Gods

harwoodr 13 years ago |

I've only ever seen one of these in the wild:

http://www.poetictech.com/aura/index.html

...and I remember that the price tag was around $15K at the time, but they are super sweet... and can be set to rotate the workstation based on time of day, in order to avoid sunlight glare.

stevekemp 13 years ago |

My partner recently bought a (backless) saddle-chair which I immediately mocked. Having sat on it for a few days though it has really grown on me.

I tend to favour the ergonomic kneeling chairs myself, and I'm on my second in ten years. This time it came from the local Argos store, fwiw.

fasteo 13 years ago |

Not what you are asking, but save you some money and get some IKEA DIY stand-up desk. Been using it for about a year.

for example, http://lukethomas.com/100-dollar-ikea-stand-up-desk/

UnoriginalGuy 13 years ago | |

I own that, and trust me when I tell you that even when the legs aren't fully extended (as shown) the thing isn't super-stable.

It is impossible to get all four legs to exactly the same length (even if you use the guide marks). He has it resting against a wall for a reason.

I would recommend it, but it might wobble around a little if you put any weight unevenly on the surface.

yaj 13 years ago | | |

I will recommend this DIY standing desk, http://www.ikeahackers.net/2012/05/standing-desk-with-utby-l.... It is simple, cheap and very stable.

I have the desk for a year now and it solved my shoulder and back problems from sitting too long.

shail 13 years ago |

how abt these? http://www.varierfurniture.com/Collections/Work/Thatsit-bala...

PS: really expensive though.