Meets expectations
Let me start off with some background. My wife adopted a little girl which meant we were losing the full use of second bedroom of our two bedroom apartment. This was traditionally our shared office space/junk room. With the repurposing of that room, we got rid of our desks and had to integrate our workspace into the living room. My wife got a nice ikea desk but I decided to go deskless and just use a lap tray for my laptop. This didn't last long. I needed a place for stationary and to serve as my at-home base of operations.The only space not dedicated to baby stuff was a small section beside our couch where our end tables had been relegated. I was glad to see this desk fit that space perfectly.Pros: Cheap. This desk was not only cheaper than the alternatives at target and wal-mart, but the rounded shelves gave it a nicer look. Not to mention, it was two fewer sharp corners in an increasingly baby proofed home.Easy assembly. If you've put together anything from ikea, this should pose no challenge.Cons: Pieces aren't very well labeled, but there are so few you shouldn't really need the labels. I like the fact that I don't have big ugly letter stickers on each piece. The piece letter is stenciled onto the unfinished edge but it isn't very clear. You're better off just comparing the pieces to the instructions. Also, the finish was worn off of the edge of my shelves when they arrived. I would complain, but the desk was super cheap and I just touched up the worn spots with a sharpie, end of crisis.Regarding other complaints:1. Screw holes not fully drilled - right, because it is particle board. Even without the pre-drilled holes screws work into the "wood" easily, if the holes were drilled too deeply, the screws wouldn't take. I found the whole screw situation pretty well done. The whole unit comes together using a series of dowels, cam locking bolts and a few screws.2. Desk is wobbly on carpet - I misunderstood this at first. When I read that people found the desk wobbly I thought they were referring to the construction of the desk itself. After assembly, I noted how solid it felt. When I put it on the carpet, however, I realized what people meant. On the carpet, it sometimes appears as though the whole thing might tip over. However, this is because it is so narrow relative to its height. Mine stabilized once I put things onto it and had it pushed up against the side of the couch. If you have it against a wall, just anchor it. If you are using it on a hard surface, it won't even need that.3. Space - the dimensions are clearly listed. The desktop comfortably fits a 19" laptop, mouse, a desk lamp and space to charge up my phone. If you are unsure, measure your stuff and see if it will fit before ordering.I never expected to get a super expensive desk on the cheap. I wanted something that fit into a small space within some very specific dimensions (which this did). If it wobbled, I stabilized it. If something didn't fit, I made it fit. If there was a scuff, I touched it up. For $50 I expected exactly what was described, not a turnkey solution in a box.The desk isn't perfect. But I think it is still worth the $50 depending upon your needs.