This writing surface is very sturdy, but still looks elegant. 

Pros:  The top is a laminate-covered MDF board, so it is pretty heavy duty. Was easy to assemble except for attaching the top (see "Cons").
Cons: There were no holes drilled in the top to help start the screws, and the laminated top required a starter hole to line up the screws. I flipped the desk upside down (opposite of the instructions), and was able to get the top lined up with the legs.