You’re sick of placing your computer display on top of a stack of books to get the perfect viewing angle, aren’t you? VESA 100×100 and “counterbalance gas spring arm” are phrases you’ve likely never heard of before. Are you searching for a new monitor stand but aren’t sure where to begin? If so, this tutorial is for you.
In today’s market, there’s a wide variety of monitor stands to choose from, each with a certain purpose and set of characteristics. While this apparently unlimited amount of variations does mean that you may acquire the precise stand that meets your individual requirements, it can also sometimes be a little intimidating. That’s why we’ve put up this guide, which includes everything you need to know before making a final decision on a monitor stand.
We’ll be going through how and what to consider when choosing a new monitor stand, including compatibility, mounting type, articulation, and specific niche features. Let’s get started, shall we?
Keep an eye on compatibility
The first thing you need to examine is if a stand is suitable for the monitor(s) you wish to use it with.
The maximum screen size and weight that may be accommodated by each monitor stand are variable. Making sure your monitor does not exceed these restrictions is vitally essential! The stability and lifetime of your monitor and stand rely on it.
With numerous displays, you have the option of purchasing several monitor stands or getting a stand that can hold the whole number of screens you’ve got connected to your computer. Mounting all your displays on one stand is the most cost-effective and space-saving option for most desk arrangements.
To ensure compatibility with most displays on the market, most monitor stands follow VESA standards. In order to avoid purchasing an incompatible monitor and stand, make sure you thoroughly investigate the VESA patterns used by the monitor and stand you want to purchase.
However, what if your monitor doesn’t have a VESA port? A limited number of monitor stands may be utilized with certain displays because of their unique mounting mechanisms. As long as this is the case, don’t freak out. VESA adapters are available for a wide range of monitor mounting solutions, and certain adapters operate with a wide range of displays.
In conclusion:
- Your monitor stand should be compatible with your display, taking into account the monitor’s dimensions and weight.
- The monitor stand you choose should be able to support the number of displays you want to put on it.
- Check to see whether your monitor stand is compatible with the VESA pattern before purchasing it.
Type of mounting
We’ve already discussed how to attach the monitor to the stand… For this part, we’ll be focusing on how the stand fits within your work environment. We’ll examine the advantages and disadvantages of various monitor stand mounting options.
- Set on your desk or another work surface, a standalone monitor stand is the most straightforward alternative.
- Because it isn’t linked to your desk, you may move your monitor anywhere you like in your workplace without having to drill or do anything else complex during installation.
- However, the trade-off for this ease of use and adaptability is a loss of stability and efficiency. Because it isn’t secured in any way, the stand has the potential to be pushed over by mistake. Because the bases are so massive and heavy, this instability may be managed, but it will take up more of your desk space.
- In terms of simplicity and stability, a clamp mount is a wonderful option. As with the freestanding base, no drilling or stud-finding is necessary; it just clamps to your desk.
- Even though you can’t simply move your display around, this is adequate for most desk arrangements. Because of the clamp design, the stand must be positioned at the very edge of the work area, which may not be feasible in all cases of use and installation.
- If you’re utilizing a temporary office or leased space that you can’t change permanently, either the clamp mount or freestanding base choices are ideal.
- The only difference between a grommet mount and a clamp mount is that a pre-drilled hole is required in the work surface to which the grommet is to be attached. Using a grommet hole to attach the stand to the wall provides a little more stability.
However, wall mounts are highly sturdy and save a lot of space, but they’re a little more complicated to install and a headache to relocate if required. Wall mounts The efficiency that wall mounts give is worth the loss of adaptability if your monitor has to be mounted someplace without a work area in front of it or if you are strongly committed to a certain desk layout.
Other variations and specialized mounts are available, but these three form the backbone of the vast majority of monitor stands now available on the market. Prioritize what matters most to your workflow when deciding on the optimal mounting method for your device. Your desk’s effectiveness may be affected more by its versatility than by its size, or the other way around.
In conclusion:
- Flexible and simple to set up freestanding bases are the least stable and efficient in terms of area.
- Desk clamps and grommet mounts are a good compromise between space economy and structural integrity. “
- Wall mounts are the most sturdy and space-efficient, but they are also the most difficult to set up and configure.
- Keep your workflow in mind when deciding on a mounting method for your camera
Articulation
- The second consideration is to keep an eye on the articulation. After the monitor is attached to the stand, you may adjust it to your liking.
- Monitor stands that are fixed in place have no way of articulating at all. Since the monitor stand must be moved in order to adjust your viewing angle, this is a benefit, but also a drawback.
- Most monitor stands enable you to change the height of your screen, allowing you to put it in the most comfortable position for you. In the case of a shared workstation, a device that allows you to modify the height on the fly is a big plus.
- In most monitor stands, you may modify the swivel, tilt, and/or rotation of your monitor to varying degrees by adjusting the head. Because the tension of these changes may often be changed, there is no need to lose stability in exchange for more adaptability.
- Articulating arms: Occasionally, you need to move your monitor around in your work area. Using an articulating arm, you may place your monitor in any position on the desk. Because each joint has its own tension adjustment, you have the option of choosing between simple adaptability and maximum stability.
- It is possible to alter the tension of a counterbalance gas spring arm so that you may simply move or leave the monitor in any position within the arm’s reach. Gas spring articulating arms provide many of the same benefits as normal articulating arms, but they can be put up considerably more quickly and can move horizontally and vertically. Even though it can’t be locked in place, it isn’t like articulating arms in that respect.
- Keep in mind how you want to use your monitor stand and what you intend to use it for when deciding on the articulation of a monitor stand. There is no guarantee that a stand’s more adjustment would be beneficial to your particular configuration simply because it has greater versatility.
Monitor Niches
What we’ve mentioned thus far are the most common monitor stands, however, there are many more specialized options available.
Standing mounts allow you to convert your regular desk into a standing desk, which is a simple solution to improve the ergonomics of your workstation. Gas spring arms or other mechanisms in certain stands allow you to simply move from sitting to standing, allowing you to remain active throughout the day!
Some display stands come with trays that may support a laptop or keyboard, making it easier to work on your computer. Perfect if you need a little additional room in your workspace or want to use your laptop as both a desktop and a laptop.
USB ports: Having USB ports integrated right into your display stand is surprisingly useful. It saves time to be able to connect your keyboard and mouse directly to your desktop instead of digging around beneath your desk every time you need to plug anything in.
- A stand with a sleek tempered glass base or even one that attaches to the cubicle wall is an option for widescreen monitors, among other niches.
- The key here is that you may search for a stand that meets your unique requirements.. A lot of fantastic stands can be found in the area! Taking a closer look isn’t a bad idea.
- So, those are the key factors to think about when purchasing a monitor stand. Here’s a brief cheat sheet to help you remember everything you learned in this guide:
- If you’re in the market for a new monitor stand, keep these tips in mind:
- Make sure your monitor is compatible with the stand before you buy it.
- Choose a stand mount that is suited for your desk and work environment.
- Choose an articulating stand that meets your needs.
Be precise in your search for solutions.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution for every workplace. It’s no different from yours. With this information, you can now go out and pick the option that works best for you!