A school desk or computer desk is usually a rectangular piece of furniture having a flat, rectangular desk-style surface utilized at a school, college, university or the like for professional, academic or personal work such as using computers, writing, reading or utilizing other equipment like a computer. In some cases, this desk is also accompanied by a large writing desk, usually rectangular, made especially for use with computers. The computer desk and writing desk are usually found together in an all-purpose, modular style school room or other formal setting. School rooms that feature a combination of desks may have one equipped with a computer unit while another may have both a computer desk and writing desk for use by different students or staff members.

For school desks, there are a wide variety of designs, styles, and configurations, all of which offer various functions and advantages. Some of the most common school desks have built-in shelving units, allowing them to be fitted with cabinets or drawers for storing books, papers, writing utensils, and other school supplies. Other types of school desks have sliding doors or open designs, allowing easier access to books, files, and other school supplies. These types of school desks are often built with open shelving units in order to allow students to store books and other reading materials within the open units.

On the other hand, school furniture such as school desks can also have stationary furniture included with the desk. Stationary furniture includes any equipment that is designed for use on a regular basis, such as tables and chairs. Because most students spend a great deal of time sitting in front of a computer or spending long periods of time typing away on a word processor, it may make sense to buy a desk that has built-in furniture and a pull out keyboard and mouse.

There are two basic styles of school desk: the enclosed or closed school desk, and the hinged or open desktop. Both styles come in different types of materials, with some made of metal and wood, and others of glass. Most desks are constructed in solid wood, but some designs are constructed from a combination of metal and wood. While metal desks are usually less expensive than those constructed from solid wood, the hinged and open styles are usually less expensive than solid wood school desks.

One important aspect of a school desk is the way the desk is positioned on the floor. If the desk is placed too close to the ground, it will interfere with the normal physical movement of a student, making it difficult to perform physical activities like writing and typing. The problem can be compounded when a student is sitting in front of the computer and uses the keyboard to type. When the keyboard is placed too far in front of the school desk, the student will not be able to see the words being typed, and there will be an increased chance of missing key characters or letters. In order to resolve this issue, many school desks are now built with adjustable legs, which allow the desk to be placed at an angle that avoids clipping the toes of a student who is typing.

Another type of school desk comes in the form of the folding school desk, which is designed to be folded away after school hours. The folded design makes it convenient for storing during the summer months, and it provides more space on the floor for storing books and supplies. However, the most common reason for a school desk to be folded away is to prevent it from being damaged during travel. Many products sold as folding school desks are made of heavy steel, so they are very durable and won't be damaged by heavy objects placed on them. When purchasing a folding school desk, it is important to ensure that the steel frame is reinforced with an extra layer of steel, as the same thickness steel will damage much more easily than it will the additional layers of steel that are wrapped around the edges. Before purchasing a folding school desk, it is important for parents to make sure that the desk is strong enough to withstand any potential damage caused by heavy objects placed on it, as even one little scratch can cause books to be torn.