Since many of us spend a hefty portion of our days sitting behind a desk, buying a quality desk can mean the difference between a smooth workday and one that leaves you both mentally and physically sore.

First consider the surface. Even though wood looks great, it tends to scar and must be treated to maintain its appearance. As a result, most desks are made of laminate, which consists of a less expensive plastic finish that is applied to a wood core. When considering laminate desks, a thick, high-pressure laminate withstands day-to-day office abuse much better than a thinner laminate.

For even greater durability, some businesses prefer metal desks that are finished with a laminate work surface. You can judge the quality of metal desks by the gauge of steel used in their manufacture. A heavier gauge steel will help ensure a minimum of dings.

Melamine, which is a lightweight laminate, for the front edges of the desk and drawers is fine in most instances. But for surfaces like the desktop that experience great wear and tear, medium density fiber board (MDF) or wood substrates, which are high-pressure laminates, are better.

The best computer desk design is a corner workstation, which utilizes the "dead" corner created by L-shaped desks. Existing L-shaped workstations can be inexpensively turned into a corner unit simply with a "sleeve" that slides over the desk and mimics the shape of a corner desk.

Since the appropriate height for working at a desk is not the same as the correct height for typing, equip the desk with a computer keyboard tray. Fully articulating keyboard trays, which are mounted below the work surface and can be adjusted, are ideal but can cost you $100 to $500 compared to $30 for a standard pull-out tray.

Desks are also becoming more flexible in other ways. Some feature pneumatic lifts, like those on chairs, for height adjustability while other desks are mounted on casters for greater mobility.

Pricing depends on the material you choose and construction quality. Ready-to-assemble desks found at office supply superstores can cost as low as $150. An average 30 x 60 laminate desk can cost $200 to $500, while high-pressure laminate desks range from $500 to $1,500. On the high end, wood veneer desks range in price from $1,000 to $10,000.

Though office superstores may offer lower prices, you often sacrifice quality materials and construction for a desk that will fall apart after a couple of years. Unless you are looking for a temporary solution, stick with a reputable commercial office furniture dealer.

To check construction quality, examine the drawers. Look for interlocking dovetail construction rather than staples or glue. The drawers should open and close smoothly when bearing weight, and they should slide out to their full length, allowing you to fully utilize the space.

So take the aches and pains out of this purchase, and take the time to find a desk that will will improve productivity rather than hamper it.