[Robert Adams]

Full disclosure: I do corporate design and I'm a commercial furniture dealer. Hope the info below is helpful.

The whole deal with a stand up desk is to vary body movement during the day not to provide another way to be stagnant all day. So, standing at a desk all day isn't any healthier for anyone than sitting all day. Bodies need to move and change positions during the work day to be most productive.

A standup desk should have variable height adjustment so it goes from desk height (around 29"-30" to counter height, roughly 42"). This provides the ability to move around while working during the day. The top moves up or down without having to move anything off the surface. It also provides a multi-purpose surface for on the spot pop-up meetings and not require seating for everyone. The Varidesk can accomplish some of this, but frankly, it's looks a bit hardware-ish intense and they aren't all that inexpensive. A user is also stuck with a contraption that literally takes up the entire desk surface eliminating the ability to perform other functions, like paper work or impromptu meetings and having presentation materials other than a computer screen.

There are many alternatives in the standup desk universe that provide a more multi-functional surface and mechanism and are reasonably close to the cost of a Varidesk by function if you chose a manual adjustment model; electric units are available and are pretty cool but more expensive. The height adjustable mechanism can be fitted to an existing surface (not a normal desk) saving money or can be ordered with it's own top. The tops are usually commercial grade laminate (not melamine), but can be provided in veneer if upscale is required.

Search out a manufacturer or dealer for the products as they can help with the finishes & options. A couple middle-market manufacturers are; esiergo.com. ki.com, mayline.com, maxonfurniture.com or indianafurniture.com. These are all American made product manufacturers, although I'm sure some parts come from other countries.

For those of you that work for companies having furniture contracts, all the major brands market these solutions so talk with your company facilities person.
Happy shopping.

Rob