Our photographer thought the Adjusta looked like something from a radiology department, but conceded that it would be the perfect rolling workstation for the ever-changing floor plan of his studio.

Cupholders. It always comes back to the cupholders. Toss pretty much anyone into the driver’s seat of a cool car, and most folks will go straight for the cupholders, checking for size, placement, and clever design. Maybe it’s coded into our DNA. We’re enamored by design elements dedicated to comfort and organization. And it seems that not a single everyday annoyance is unworthy of its own design solution. This is probably why we were so fascinated by the Anthro Fit Adjusta when we first saw it.

Anthro makes computer workstations in nearly every configuration imaginable. From the eNook (an inconspicuous notebook station that pops out from your wall) to the Elevate Wrap (a majestic, semicircular command station that provides 26 inches of height adjustment), the Anthro line-up is targeted to deliver ergo perfection and options galore. As for our Fit Adjusta, its shtick is to offer affordability, height adjustment, and a dizzying array of sizes, configurations and accessories.

The desk we spec’d is 30 inches wide, but the Adjusta also comes in 36-, 48- and 60-inch widths. In its most rudimentary form, the workstation is just a dual-surface desk. The rear surface remains fixed at 31 inches high, but the keyboard tray can be adjusted within a 12.75-inch range, and can tilt up to 24 degrees. With a fully adjustable display in play, the Adjusta practically guarantees an ergonomically sound workstation.

But ergo, schmergo, right? What really interests us are all the fun accessories that attach to the unit. We configured our desk to include a side-mount rack for holding a Mac Pro, speaker shelves, and two extra equipment shelves (one not pictured). And if we really wanted to pimp our rig, we could have added a cable canal, a cable closet, a document stand, file-folder rack, a mouse shelf, a cupholder (see, it always comes back to cupholders!), and more. Did you notice the sturdy 3-inch wheels? Yeah, when the Adjusta is fully kitted out with accessories and hardware, it becomes a dense mass of rolling Mac productivity--the perfect workstation for the very studio in which it was photographed.

Negatives? We have three. First, assembly might intimidate the mechanically disinclined. Get ready to deal with a lot of screws, as this isn’t like assembling furniture from IKEA. (That said, the assembly process will make you intimately familiar with the hardware, which is convincingly sturdy and durable.)

Second, the price could provoke a few double-takes. Our modest config came it at $1,348.80, not including shipping charges. Anthro told us our order would qualify for a 10 percent “quantity discount” because it’s over $500, but even at $1,1213, you have to really want a workstation with speaker shelves and a Power Mac caddy, because this apple cart is spendy.

Third, well… Let’s just say the Adjusta’s appearance received mixed-to-negative reviews. Two staffers independently described it as looking like “medical equipment.” When we wheeled it into the industrial environment of our photo studio, the desk looked much more at home, and we should note that you can choose from six surface options. But a beautiful piece of furniture? You make the call. We’ll just say that Anthro desks value function over form, and leave it at that.

 

The Fit Adjusta is perfect for ergo-minded people who can’t relax unless every single piece of gear is tucked away perfectly in the proper place. If you can get past the price and, um, “challenging aesthetics,” then sit down and enjoy the ride.

Fit Adjusta
COMPANY: Anthro
CONTACT: www.anthro.com
PRICE: $1,348.80 as tested
REQUIREMENTS: reqs
Crazy assortment of accessories and ergo adjustments. Sturdy construction. Wheels come standard. Lifetime warranty and 100-day, money-back guarantee.
Expensive. Requires lengthy assembly. Not much of a looker.