Just ordered a Geekdesk. More expensive than what you are looking for but if you just get the frame and then get your own top it's a lot cheaper. I didn't go that route tho... anyway I'll post thoughts when I get it.

Craigslist.... I got mine for 750 I think (might be lower), basically brand new. Guy's business went under and he had like 7 in his garage along with the rest of the furniture for his office.

So I went to a local store and tried a bunch of chairs out... Embody, Aeron, Freedom, Mirra, some Knoll stuff...

The best traditional task chair I liked was the Embody. I probably sat in it for a good 20 minutes. It just gives really incredible support and is really adjustable. Another interesting one was some Knoll chair that was bendy on the top, so you can comfortably sit in all sorts of positions, saleswoman said it was good for offices and cubicles and such if you're going to be turning around in your chair and stuff. Oh it's called the Generation. 2nd chair in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfWqe...eature=related

However when I'm really doing work or game (DotA) I'm usually leaning a bit forward so I can move quickly while working or gaming. Mouse wise and keyboard wise I need to be quick wit it. The Embody didn't allow me to sit like that and still get support... I think I would actually be sitting more in a recline at the desk, kind of like how this guy sits in the Embody in this vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltPUyM-2er0

While I think that position would be easy to sit in for long periods of time I don't think I would get maximum raw productivity speed and/or get ganked (DotA haha).

They did have another chair there, the Humanscale Freedom Saddle Seat, which is not a traditional task chair. Here's a pic



I absolutely loved sitting in this seat. You sit in it with one of the corners in front of your crotch, so your legs are kind of out and hips are at a different position than usual. Immediately I knew I could get maximum speed and quickness working at my desk in this seat. It's very dangerous though because it has no support. It'll be interesting... chances are after an hour I will be slouching... I dunno, but I still feel like the potential of this chair is the best. Plus it's way cheaper at $375 retail. I found it online for $254 here: http://www.thehumansolution.com/saddle.html... which seems almost too low, gonna do some research to see if these guys are legit.

If this doesn't work out I think I'll go back and get the Embody. Btw, the store I went to was Design Within Reach in downtown Seattle, Danielle was a really great salesperson, I recommend her if you guys wanna try some of these chairs out. They didn't have any Steelcase though.

edit: Oh yeah she mentioned that when the Herman Miller guys come to do their product teaching, they always stress that arm rests are strictly for resting, not for support when you're typing/mousing or whatevs. I found that interesting, and have since lowered the arm rests on my current chair. I think I like it better.

Cool, looking at merchant ratings looks like The Human Solution is legit. I double checked on the Humanscale site and they are an authorized dealer. Ordered my saddle seat, came out to $254.15 with free shipping. Lead time according to them is about a week, then shipping is 3-5 days, so hopefully 10 days and it'll be here. I'll update after using it.

you end up finding anywhere

steelcase's leap chair is quite awesome. I sat in the embody, freedom, and aeron b and I think only the freedom was noticeably better.

leap is only 500ish so I think it's a good buy

Proud to say just ordered my Embody. Will write up a review after I've spent some time in it.

I know it doesnt compare to the Aerons and other Herman Millers, but I just bought a very nice chair off of Craigslist.

I didnt even know it, but Jeep (the carmaker) has a line of nice executive office chairs, and it is basically like sitting in the front seat of a Jeep Grand Cherokee. The biggest "it" factors for me were the headrest and the full recline.

Cant beat it for $50!

Whoa. I've always thought car seats were amazingly low fatigue and awesome. Interesting...

This is the model that I got:

http://www.4x4review.com/Features/Ne...6/Default.aspx

Definitely worth trying out if you can find one to sit in prior to buying. It is very padded, and I think would fit in well with certain buyers who like alot of support....I believe Costco sells them in selected areas.

gonna get my embody tomorrow woohooooo

so excited. it's just sooo good. price: 3.7k reais **** BRAZILLLLLLLL

Am wondering if any of the owners of these fine chairs can recommend one in particular that will help keep a very upright/stiff posture. Developed a serious neck injury recently and am willing to spend ~1k on this.

I'm also looking for a new chair (mine is so rubbish) and I'm willing to spend ~250€ (~$300).

Any advice ?

Freedom chair is pretty solid

Does the Embody chair come in more than one size? I just placed an order for one over the phone and I was asked which size I want and I said I don't know I'm 5' 11" whatever is normal. I thought the Embody comes in one size fits all though.

yes, embody comes on a one size fits all. (it has adjusts)
the only chair of herman miller that isn't one size is the aeron (3 sizes)
check out if it's herman's miller original embody chair before buying because it's 1 size only

Has anyone tried a recliner or lounge chair as their main office chair?

Tried the Embody - didn't like it.

Tried the rH Logic 400 Executive - loved it.

Slightly more spendy than the Embody.
Considerably more comfortable for my 5'8" frame - the hand pump inflatable lumbar support was absolutely made for my back. If you get lower back pain from sitting I would recommend this. Back-length adjustable. Infact everything adjustable with buttons.
Far more conventional in style with a really nice, hardwearing crepe cover. It doesn't scream "ipod generation's bedroom" like the Embody which is a good thing IMO.

I think rH are Swedish - cost me $1599 here in the UK.

They use these in UK airports' air-traffic control towers. Super comfortable for long periods. Solid as hell. I use mine with a ridiculously expensive but cheap-looking footrest and it's heaven on my back.

I played on a lazy boy recliner for a little over a year.

I think it has the potential to work for certain people if you have the right desk height, and can recline the chair underneath the desk. I moved my room around to accommodate this, but hated the fact that everytime I wanted to sit in my recliner, I was sitting at my computer.

This led to me being on the computer way more than I wanted to be, so I just went out and bought a nice office chair off EBAY.

What would you guys reccommend for a 5' 10 guy that sits for up to 12hrs and wants to spend less than $500? Ive found a few aeron's on craigslist for less than $500 but they are rare... i need a new chair very fast because my back and tailbone are starting to kill me.

I'd say get the CL Aeron then. Most all the chairs being talked about in this thread have a 2 week or more lead time. Well except stuff like Ikea Markus.

How good is the Ikea Markus? better than the aeron? Ive heard some good things about both.

I have the Markus and I work from home full time. It's fantastic for the money. The only thing that really sucks about it is that the arms are too far apart and don't articulate. FWIW, I'm 6'5", 240lbs.

My company just re-did the cubes and got tons of steelcase Leaps, so I'm getting them to send one to me. I've used the leap on my last trip to HQ and it's definitely nicer than the Markus but if you're on a budget the markus is a great value, much better than what you'll get at officemax for the same money.

Lance- You aren't in Austin are you? I just got a zero gravity chair so I could sell my Aeron if you were interested.

I'm in austin and tryin to buy something like an aeron