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What I like best about laptops is they don't need a dedicated desk.

Hopefully "computer desks" will soon be extinct.

My home office desk is a nice writing desk...

Hmm. My laptop desk is ... my lap.

I use my laptop in bed with a lap buddy, the whole reason I got one is to avoid the desk.

"What I like best about laptops is they don't need a dedicated desk."

Exactly - Otherwise, why spend extra for a laptop?
Just get a desktop computer which either costs less or is more powerful and has a larger screen...

Add one more to the list of people that thinks "computer desks" are not needed.

I agree about not needing a desk for the laptop, but can't figure out what to do with the printer. Putting it a closet and taking it out every time we need to print something is just not working. Does anyone have any suggestions for a small piece of furniture/desk/cabinet for a bedroom that would hide the printer?

Leave the printer in the closet. Buy a wireless print server for $50 or so and you'll never have to hassle with moving the printer again. Works great for me.

Oh and if you really want to be smart throw those inkjet printers in the trash. Laser printers are way cheaper to run. I get about 2-3 years out of one $50 toner cartridge.

The one thing you need if you're going to put your laptop on a desk is something to raise the monitor up so it's at eye level - otherwise, it's just going to kill your back. Of course, my solution is 2 big phone books, hardly stylish, but does the job!

Why have a computer desk with a laptop? It depends on what your needs are. I switched to a laptop, because I occasionally need to take my computer with me. A desktop computer suited my needs 90% of the time, but was not flexible enough. Most of the time, my laptop sits on my desk, with my printer and scanner.

Not bad...I like the hidden storage for the electrical and USB stuff. Would look a lot nicer if the "leather" writing surface was white also. Most of the time my laptop sits on my lap, but sometimes I need a little room to spread out my work papers (hard to do with the dog snuggled up next to me on the couch).

"Leave the printer in the closet. Buy a wireless print server for $50 or so and you'll never have to hassle with moving the printer again. Works great for me."

I have mine in a deep drawer of my entertainment cabinet - I just open the drawer and switch the thing on to print...
..a.nd when I'm done, close the drawer.

A computer desk is necessary for someone like myself for a variety of reasons: 1) I've got an external monitor that I used in conjunction with my laptop, 2) I use a tablet with pen/mouse for Photoshop work, 3) ergonomically speaking, sitting in a proper task chair and working eye level helps avoid repetitive issues for someone like myself who spend of upwards of 16 hours/day working behind a screen. Yes, if you're working a few hours behind a computer, "anywhere" is fine, but not if you're a power user. There's a reason programmers, video production artists, graphic designers and even bloggers make it a big issue to have a proper workspace (the task chair being equally, if not more important), even if they use a laptop.

Like ShellyIN said, a deskop compuer suits 90% of my needs, but on occasion I need to travel and use my laptop on the go. I'm pretty sure the naysayers don't use their computers in the same way I'm discussing, so they're not considering the importance of a proper desk for someone whose life revolves around being behind a computer; I've had pains occur when using laptops while working in bed or from a couch for more than 1-2 hours. So, no, the computer desk is not unnecessary...perhaps for casual users, but I'd argue even then working with a laptop on a well positioned desk and with a good chair in the long run will mean better health and a greater chance you don't ruin your portable best friend.