This desk is solid. Solid dense wood top, solid sturdy base.  It is not easy to raise the desk with the handle - tiny little handle is awkward and hard to turn to raise the desk although it works great to lower the desk. When I want to raise it I have to go under the desk with two hands and manually turn the circular steel wheel to raise it. Not really that big of a deal in the big picture. I do love the look and the sturdiness.