In other blog posts about computer monitor arms, we’ve looked at the benefits of using a monitor arm, the method for mounting a monitor arm on a desk, and basic monitor arm setup & adjustment. Now, let’s move beyond basic setup & adjustment to look at computer monitor arm use cases with various monitor positions & combinations. This is a guide to standard positions, special arrangements, and the situations you might want to use them for.
Before getting into monitor positions & arrangements, it’s important to consider where on the desk the PC monitor arm is clamped. This is the starting point for monitor position & adjustment. The limits of adjustment are measured from this point. The right position for clamping depends on your desk and setup. C-clamps are usually clamped centrally on the back of the desk, but could be clamped a little toward the sides of the desk. C-clamp mounting and arm use won’t work well if the desk is right against the wall, so some people mount off-center and then use the arm to position the monitor centrally from there. Grommet hole mounting is the other mounting method. It offers a bit more flexibility on the mounting position because it doesn’t have to be on the desk edge. However, it’s a more permanent method that requires drilling of a hole through the desk.
Mounting a secondary monitor on one side of the desk is a good option for L-shaped desks and corner desks (which both have extra desk space on one side of the user).
To position monitors, full-motion computer screen mounts have multiple joints that enable tilt, swivel, and rotation. The default monitor position is central and facing the user directly, with moderate extension (for closer viewing) and moderate height (to bring the monitor close to eye-level). This position is ideal for general daily use, but it’s not always the best choice for every person and situation.
Monitor arm extension brings your monitor closer. This supports good posture because you don’t have to crane your neck forward to see the screen properly. The best extension distance is a personal choice that also depends on the size of your monitor and the content you’re viewing. The bigger your monitor, the further away it should be. You probably don’t need to be so close for casual web browsing and video or movie viewing. However, analyzing extensive data, editing images, and other detail-focused work will probably benefit from closer viewing.
Being able to raise monitor height is one of the big advantages of a monitor arm over basic monitor stands included with monitors. Bringing your monitor close to eye level really transforms your whole posture and mood. Switch from hunched over to sitting up straight (while keeping a natural S-shaped lumbar curve). Note the key points of a good sitting posture... A stable core with gently engaged stomach muscles to bring your belly button toward your spine (just like fitness instructors and yoga teachers tell us!). Shoulders back (but not that far back!) to open the chest and beat the hunch. Chin tucked in and the crown of your head lifted slightly upward to straighten the neck.
After explaining all this, I have a strange feeling like there’s a medical disclaimer coming on...
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Some long-extension PC monitor arms enable you to switch from sitting to standing rather than remain stuck in one position all day. Changing position changes your perspective. Experience a different way of working and boost your focus.
Full-motion computer monitor arms generally have three swivel joints. The one at the top swivels the screen left and right in-place. The joints further down the arm enable the arm and screen to swing around to a different position (as well as folding the arm to adjust extension). You can view your monitor from a different angle or use it in a different position around your desk. It’s also ideal for shared viewing and seamless collaboration with others standing beside you or working in another position nearby. Put the content right in front of them rather than ask them to peer in awkwardly from the side or behind.
360° rotation enables screens to be oriented horizontally or vertically. Horizontal orientation is good for most things, but vertical orientation is great to view content that’s ‘tall’ rather than ‘wide’ (such as long web pages, long columns of data, and vertical videos).
The highly flexible adjustment of computer screen arms greatly increases their versatility. If you have more than one monitor to mount, you can mount them together on one multi monitor stand and align them precisely. Then combine them side by side (horizontal or vertical orientation) or stacked (horizontal orientation), or position them in different places.
The classic combination for two screens is standard landscape orientation with screens left and right on the same level. When the two screens are aligned perfectly side by side, it’s effortless and natural to sweep your view across from left to right between the two. This arrangement has a lot of uses with large productivity benefits. You can work on two things together, switching back and forth to compare different versions or integrate content from one into the other. Or you can use one screen as the primary screen (directly in front of you), and the other as the secondary screen (angled off to one side) for additional content or to monitor email or chat. You can even use two screens together as one seamless and flowing extended desktop that runs directly from one screen to the other.
A variation of the side by side dual-screen arrangement is to have one or both screens in a vertical orientation using rotation. The choice of orientation can be a matter of content format or personal preference. If you’re scrolling down long pages or viewing long columns of data, try using one or both monitors in portrait.
The alternative to side by side is stacked screens in landscape orientation with one above the other. Only some long-extension monitor arms have enough adjustment range and reach to enable this arrangement. It’s basically a vertical version of the side by side arrangement. It’s always good to have more flexibility to fit your situation, workflow, and preferences.
What about screen positions & combinations for triple monitor mounts? It’s similar to the dual monitor mount but with the third monitor on a central pole between the other two. There are various horizontal screen arrangements, with each screen in landscape or portrait orientation. The triple monitor version of stacked screens has the central screen above or below the other two. A great way to use this is to have the two side monitors together as one seamless extended desktop and the central screen as a secondary display for something else. Of course, you could just use each screen for something different, which is also a good way to keep several things visible & active rather than constantly switching in and out of various windows on a single screen.
Modern monitor arms like HUANUO single and multi monitor arms are incredibly flexible and adjustable, with a multitude of monitor positions and combinations. In this post, we’ve looked at some of the standard positions, special arrangements, and the situations you might want to use them for. You can find the perfect monitor position and adapt to every situation. Raise your monitors when you want to work standing up. Turn a monitor around to share something with others. Rotate a monitor to watch vertical videos or view long pages. Rearrange a multi-monitor combination to match your workflow and viewing needs.
Monitor arm users have a lot more flexibility and ergonomic comfort. It can change the way you work or even transform your life!