Low End Mac Reviews

Ambassador Computer Desk

Dan Knight - 1999.03.30

Low End Mac Reader Specials

TypeStyler For Mac OS X is Now Shipping! Download The Free Fully Functional 60 Day Tryout at www.typestyler.com

Poker Mac Don't install Parallels to play poker online! Poker Mac will show you how to download and install a native Mac poker application such as Full Tilt Poker Mac.

Laptop Hardware Provided by TechRestore - Overnight Mac & iPod Repairs.

Compare products like desktop computers, apple laptops, apple macs, and LCD Monitors side by side! All the information and reviews to make the best purchasing decision for new mobile phones, sat nav systems, or MP3 players. The Ciao online shopping community makes searching products easy for you.

From a strictly functional standpoint, I've found it very difficult to find the right computer table. Based on years experience at home and in the cubicle, my specifications included:

  • minimum 30"/75 cm depth
  • sturdy
  • inexpensive

I don't care too much about appearance or pigeon holes or CD racks. I just want something to hold a bunch of computer equipment.

I have a lot of computer desks that are 20-24" deep, but that either means the computer sits off to the side or the keyboard hangs off the front. The 30" depth was the most important item.

Ambassador desk

I had a design all worked out in my head. The desk would fit in a corner with a 4'x4' piece to hold my main computer. It would have wings 30" deep on each side. And of course the corner piece would have a corner cut off to match the 30" wings.

A few weeks ago, I found almost exactly that at Office Depot. It's the Ambassador Desk (01991) by Fournier Furniture - and it has 30" deep work surfaces. At $200, I put it in the back of my mind. But last week, it was on sale for $170, so I bought one.

The design is remarkably practical. Three work surfaces (a corner piece plus two wings), four supports, a keyboard drawer, and some bracing. Setup was very easy, until the head broke off a "minifix" bolt. A quick call to customer service and a replacement is en route.

So my desk is 80% built. The corner unit holds my Quadra 660av, topped by my 17" monitor, as well as my SuperMac J700, a MoniTerm switchbox (see review), my Zip drive, and a 3Com ImpactIQ ISDN "modem."

To the right, the wing holds my scanner, the network hub, and our OfficeJet 600 - a short term replacement for the StyleWriter 4100 undergoing repair. (I'm using PowerPrint to run the otherwise-Windows only printer. Again, see our review.)

I don't know just what will go on the left wing when the bolt arrives, but we'll figure that out as we go along.

The Ambassador Desk is remarkably sturdy, affordable, and, to top it off, it looks great. Even the keyboard drawer, a feature I usually hate, is solid and large enough to hold a keyboard and mouse.

If you're looking for an attractive, functional, and affordable computer desk, this one merits a look. LEM

Manufacturers and distributors: Interested in having your product reviewed? Please read our review policy.

Recent Content on Low End Mac

Latest Deals on Low End Mac

About LEM | Support | Usage | Privacy | Contacts

Custom Search

Amazon.com

Navigation

Used Mac Dealers
Apple History
Video Cards
Email Lists

Favorite Sites

MacSurfer
MacMinute
MacInTouch
MyAppleMenu
InfoMac
Macs Only!
The Mac Observer
Accelerate Your Mac
RetroMacCast
PB Central
MacWindows
The Vintage Mac
   Museum

DealMac
DealsOnTheWeb
Mac2Sell
ramseeker
Mac Driver Museum
JAG's House
System 6 Heaven
System 7 Today
the pickle's Low-End
   Mac FAQ

Abandonware
   Petition

Mac vs. PC Info

Affiliates

The Apple Store
Mac Connection
B&H
MacMall
TechRestore
ExperCom
Crucial Memory
batteries.com

Advertise

Open Link