programming and human factors
by Jeff Atwood
Steve Olson contacted me a few weeks ago after he saw my post on ergonomic computing. Steve works for Ergotron, and offered to comp me some monitor arms.
Usually when I get offered free items related to my blog, I politely decline. I don't want a conflict of interest, and frankly most of the time what I am offered doesn't appeal to me anyway. But as a long time triple monitor enthusiast, I've been pondering the idea of using LCD monitor arms for a few months now, and Ergotron is a model I've seen recommended a bunch of places. So I accepted Steve's offer. Take this as a disclaimer; I was provided these monitor arms gratis, so my opinion may be biased.
Initially I was interested in their triple monitor mount, but Steve waved me away from that and recommended three Ergotron LX Desk Mount LCD Arms instead. I figured he's the expert, so I followed his advice.
I got the LX monitor arms installed earlier this week, after a few trials and tribulations, and here's the end result. What you're seeing is a triple monitor configuration, two 24" widescreen SyncMaster 245BW monitors (1920 x 1200), with a single 21.3" SyncMaster 213T in the middle (1600 x 1200).
The arms free up a ton of space under the monitors. With the large base of the 245BW, I couldn't put my mouse where I wanted to. Now I can.
All LCDs have a standard VESA mounting plate in the rear, which the arms are designed to slot into like lego bricks. Installing the arms is a simple matter of unbolting the default base from your LCD monitor, and bolting the monitor to the arm. However, be careful – there is more than one VESA mounting plate standard, and larger monitors require larger plates. Ergotron provides a display compatibility page where you can check to see what you'll need. The 100 x 100 mm VESA mounting panel is very common, but if your monitor is 22" or larger you might have something bigger, as I did on my 24"s.
Before I set the monitor arms up, I had them sitting on my desk for test purposes, and they were quite the conversation pieces. People kept stopping by my office to check them out and ask what they were, and how they worked.
As you can see, I have a 2x1 and 1x1 configuration, two bases with three arms. The base clamps against the bottom of the desk, so you'll need an unobstructed edge to attach them to. We found the best results came from clamping both bases through the holes cut in the desk for cable routing. These holes were never obstructed and offered the best positioning options. There's a clever little integrated cable conduit built into the underside of the larger part of the arm, so the cables don't droop behind the monitor.
The Ergotron LX monitor arms have exceeded my expectations. They …
The arms are counterweighted and spring tensioned; once you adjust the tension screws for the monitor, you can (almost) effortlessly rotate, angle, and move the LCDs horizontally or vertically within the range of the arm. Turning a monitor to demo something, and then slotting it back into place when I'm done, is no problem.
When I initially considered monitor arms, I decided it was a better investment to upgrade one of my monitors than it was to buy three monitor arms that I may or may not like. Now that I've used these arms for a few days, I like them so much I'm considering buying a set for myself to use at home. Yes, with my own money. Amazon carries the Ergotron LX in black and silver for about $115. You can even use these arms to hold your laptop.
Fancy monitor arms are by no means required. The stock LCD monitor bases included by the manufacturers work just fine. But if you're willing to invest a bit and customize your setup, I think the payoff – in terms of flexibility, looks, and convenience – is well worth it.
Jeff,
This might solve a space problem I've got on my desk regarding my (single) monitor. I was thinking of upgrading to a bigger one, but there are little platforms on each side of the monitor space that restrict the size monitor that could fit there. A monitor arm such as these might make it possible to float the monitor in front of that space without taking up desk real-estate for the base. Thanks.
David A. Lessnau on September 21, 2007 5:22 AMMan oh man I'd love to buy some of those and freg up some space under my monitor. ;)
dnm on September 21, 2007 5:25 AMI currently have a dual CRT setup and wouldn't know what to do if I had to cut back to just one so don't mind while I drool over your LCD setup ... what I wouldn't do to even swap out my CRT's for LCD's let alone 3 of them with monitor arms to make the workspace even better.
That is a pretty awesome setup there.
They would be very handy attached to a wall, just to move them away from the desk when you need to work.
As for a laptop stand, the Knoll Lapjack is awesome.
Jeff, why have a smaller monitor for the main screen?
Kal_Torak on September 21, 2007 5:50 AMI can't tell from looking at the mounts in the pictures. Is there a way to twist a monitor into a vertical position if required?
Gareth on September 21, 2007 5:58 AMI was considering a nice VESA arm after getting my new 2407WFP-HC and finding that its OEM stand can't even lift it up to eye level. It's so short that despite the monitor's ability to swivel 90 degrees, you actually can't swivel it all the way because it hits the desk, even at the highest stand position.
This was just the review I needed to push me over the edge. Ordered.
Thanks.
Marco Arment on September 21, 2007 6:12 AMDoesn't that make the monitors jiggle and shake a lot? When I accidentally hit my desk, I'd hate for my monitors to start jiggling.
James Justin Harrell on September 21, 2007 6:27 AMHi Jeff,
These look excellent and reasonably priced too. One question though, the spec for the 45-179-194 states a max weight capacity of 20lbs. The combined weight of your 24" and 21" must be at least 35-40lbs. Does the weight limit apply to the individual spring loaded arm or the desk mount pole/bracket. In either case it looks like you're maybe pushing it a bit or did your mate Steve say that they can withstand far greater weights?
I have a Dell 2405FPW (15.4lbs without stand) and an HPw20 (10lbs without stand) and would love to try these things out but would rather not end up over stretching the dual arm loading capability.
Maybe you could give us some insight?
Cheers
Kev
Fact: You are a bigger dork than I am.
Misanthrope on September 21, 2007 7:28 AMHi Jeff,
What headphone do you have there?
YL on September 21, 2007 7:44 AMJeff,
I've got the same Ergotron monitor arm on my 24" Dell FP and I love it! I can actually use my entire desk while my monitor just hovers above it.
-Jim
Jim Kring on September 21, 2007 7:56 AMMr. Harrell: I don't know about these monitor arms, but I know my monitor (which is on a regular stand) shakes furiously whenever the guy who sits diagonally away from me at work bumps his desk. I, however, can pound on my own desk and not get anything to move.
So if these arms are susceptible to shaking it may depend on how ridiculously you smack your desk.
Chris on September 21, 2007 7:59 AMSimply nothing more to say than awesome setup Jeff.
Patrick on September 21, 2007 7:59 AMDoesn't that make the monitors jiggle and shake a lot? When I accidentally hit my desk, I'd hate for my monitors to start jiggling.
Not unless you pound on the desk like Nikita Khrushchev or something.
What headphone do you have there?
http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/000463.html
Is there a way to twist a monitor into a vertical position if required?
Yep, built in. Just start turning..
why have a smaller monitor for the main screen?
No reason, I had the 21.3" center from before and I upgraded my side panels to the 24" wides. Varying by width isn't a big deal in multimon setups, it's the varying by height that kills you. These are all 1200 pixel high, and almost identical in physical height as well.
In either case it looks like you're maybe pushing it a bit or did your mate Steve say that they can withstand far greater weights?
Dunno, they seem fine with the Samsung 213T and the 245BW. The 213T is actually heavier even though it's smaller physically. Maybe because it's older, I expect they're getting the weights down on the panels as they refine their manufacturing process, etc.
Jeff Atwood on September 21, 2007 8:04 AMOff topic quite a fair bit, but as far as headphones go.. you say in the other post they're a multi-decade investment? I go through a set every 3-6 months.
I'm quite clumsy.
Sweet setup but, I've just sent a few of my multi-monitor setup friends the link to the blog - they're impressed.
`Josh on September 21, 2007 8:44 AMJeff...dude, you're a sell out now man. what's next you get a free laptop with Vista from Microsoft?
just kidding. i love your blog.
Jack on September 21, 2007 8:57 AMI can also vouch for Ergotron products. I own their Neo-Flex LCD stand, which lets me raise, tilt, or rotate my 19" Samsung into any position I could possibly want. Very solid construction, too. A++++++ would buy again.
Joel on September 21, 2007 10:57 AMI've got a 23" HP display that is taking up craploads of space on my desk. I bought one of the ergoflex arms for it.
Problem one - it could barely handle the weight. Probably my fault for buying an ergoflex unit whose high-end of capacity was about equivalent to my monitor.
Problem two (the deal breaker) - it can't go high enough to put the damn thing at a level that's correct ergonomically!!! At it's highest setting, it's still at least 4 inches too low. Again, probably my fault, this time for being 6' 2".
I got the impression that, unless I bought some super-expensive industrial-strength arm, it would be neither high enough nor have enough capacity to hold my unit.
That's right - I just said, "...hold my unit."
LcdMonitorFan on September 21, 2007 11:19 AMNice setup. Mind telling us what those 3-dial boxes are under the L and R displays?
markt on September 22, 2007 2:21 AMCool setup, Jeff! But please tell us, what screensaver is it that you're running here?
"what screensaver is it that you're running here?"
It's his wallpaper...
What ever you do, just dont go cheap...
I purchased two of these http://www.provantage.com/ergotron-45-174-300~7ERGT03M.htm
and one is returned (the other sitting in a box to be resold on ebay), the tension screws are incredibly difficult to work w/ to the point that they just don't work at all. and the head tension screw wouldn't turn, i actually twisted the steel alan wrench. I just wish i had dished out the extra cash for a one of the LX desk mount arms
Alex on September 22, 2007 3:43 AMOh wow.... That's hot.
And where in the world did you find a 5440 x 1200 resolution wallpaper??
I have a duel monitor set up of one 22 inch and one 20 inch and have considered gong triple monitor, but I can't justify it. Maybe some day. :)
Steven Rogers on September 22, 2007 5:59 AMJeff, do the arms push back any more? It looks like you have some unusable space behind there.
I'm still trying to get a second monitor past the budget committee (my wife) ;).
Dave on September 22, 2007 6:17 AMMarkt, they're definitely just speakers.
Frank on September 22, 2007 6:32 AMJeff,
What DID you use for the VESA mounting panel on your 24" monitors? It's not just the weight (as Kev noted, above). According to Samsung's site:
http://www.samsung.com/ca/products/monitor/lcd_widescreen/ls24hubcbqxaa.asp?page=Specifications
the wall mount for that monitor is VESA 200x100, not the 100x100 that comes with those arms. Also, the Ergotron compatibility page:
http://www.ergotron.com/tabid/354/language/en-US/default.aspx
doesn't even list your Samsung SyncMaster 245B monitors there (unless it goes by a non-obvious model number). And, the very page you link to for the actual stand:
http://www.ergotron.com/tabid/71/ctl/Product/mid/396/PRDID/1/language/en-US/default.aspx
specifies a maximum LCD size of ' 20"'.
I don't see anything obvious on the Ergotron web site which would modify these stands for an LCD monitor greater than 20". They have a product category for larger monitors, but nothing like these stands is in there.
David A. Lessnau on September 22, 2007 6:36 AMNever mind the bit about the 245B not being in the compatibility list. I went back and scrolled through the list again and it's there (darn old eyes). The details say you need a 200x100 mount and the monitor (w/o base) weighs 11.8 lbs. For the 213T, you use the 100x100 standard mount and it weighs 11.3 lbs. So, as Kev was wondering, for the dual monitor stand, the combined weight is 23.1 lbs. That fits in the 20 to 40 lbs capacity. But, still, I wonder about the LCD Size limitation and if Steve Olsen provided you with that 200x100 mount. I assume that doesn't come free with these stands.
David A. Lessnau on September 22, 2007 6:45 AMOT: but what do you think of the Logitech Z4 speakers?
Anonimous on September 22, 2007 7:55 AMI have to reiterate the question about the desktop wallpaper. I'm part of the three monitor club based on your arguments alone and I love it. Yet I can't find decent wallpapers for 3x1680x1050 monitors... please advise.
Brandon on September 22, 2007 7:56 AMSo, to get two arms on one base, do you just buy two whole arm sets and then throw away one base?
smackfu on September 22, 2007 8:07 AMJeff, where do you find the time to blog? I'm consistently amazed by the quality and frequency of your posts – think you might be able to cover a few "man behind the curtain" ideas?
Also, that's Steve *Olson*, right?
Edward Ocampo-Gooding on September 22, 2007 8:41 AMFor some Hi-Res multi-monitor wallpaper check out the archive at
http://www.mandolux.com/
Most are dual, but there are a several triple(labeled Triptych) at up to 2560x1600.
David on September 22, 2007 8:46 AMPlease post also about the importance of a good, ergonomic keyboard for someone who spend 8+ hours a day in front of the screen! I've had, and still have on a different PC, the original Natural Keyboard Pro; and now the 4000 (which you have in your setup as well), but many people just ignore those products simply because they cost 10 times more than a basic generic 'board...
MaxVT on September 22, 2007 9:37 AMJeff,
If you had your choice, which I believe you do when making the home purchase, would you go with the black arms?
Stephen
Jeff,
I recommended the Ergotron triple monitor mount a while back on on of your posts about the triple monitor club.
I really like the model I have and I'm curious why Steve waved you away from it? It has all the same feature you list here for the 2x1 and the 1x1 and has the added benefit of being just a bit less expensive (well, $170 less expensive).
Why, Steve, Why?
One benefit I see to your setup is that it completely opens the space under the monitors.
Coleman on September 22, 2007 11:06 AMWhy would receiving free items *after* posting a blog be a conflict of interest? You have already stated your opinion about the product, unless you intend to post a follow up which has a different opinion.
Otherwise..
Get the item and post your honest opinion. If it sucks, say it sucks. What will happen other than the vendor getting pissed off and not sending you a future item again? I don't think you have to be under any obligation to post a kiss-ass review just because you got it for free. This is the best way to review many products without buying them.
Your blog is about software from your personal prospective. You do not work for a journal or magazine. I think your idea of coflict of interest is a bit stretched.
----
I think Microsoft uses similar arms. I have seen photos of some employees at their desks and their monitors are attached to similar arms.
Steve Olsen provided you with that 200x100 [mounting plate]
Indeed he did. I didn't know that until after the fact, but Steve was nice enough to ship me three 200x100 plates (I only needed two).
I really like the [ergotron triple monitor mount] I have and I'm curious why Steve waved you away from it?
Mostly because it is bulky, with a giant base, and difficult/inflexible to work with. Three Ergotron arms will cost a little less than $300 if we get a dual LX arm and then a single LX arm.
Please post also about the importance of a good, ergonomic keyboard
http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/000400.html
http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/000209.html
would you go with the black arms?
I might go with black at home since the arms will be largely hidden. behind my monitors. At work the arms are plainly visible to anyone who enters my office. Silver is a little more stealth of a color; I don't want the arms to stand out, I want them to blend in.
Jeff Atwood on September 22, 2007 12:30 PMoh my fucking god... triple monitor? this is freakin' insane..
Pun Dog on September 22, 2007 1:03 PMLove the setup. I've got the same arm holding a Samsung 225BW. I've been debating buying another one for my old 17in Samsung screen but can't justify the price. However the amount of desk-space these things save is awesome.
Bawigga on September 22, 2007 1:12 PMWow... I'd been thinking about LCD arms for the past 2 years, but had been put off by relatively high prices at lcdarms.com and other websites (plus expensive international shipping). This post just renewed my interest in them again - going to do some shopping around soon.
kureshii on September 22, 2007 1:17 PMRE: hi-def wallpaper
Check out Digital Blasphemy. They make some great 3 monitor wallpaper
www.digitalblasphemy.com
Coleman on September 23, 2007 2:46 AMJeff,
Where did you get that lamp? I think this was asked repeatedly in the comments for the "five things you don't know..." post, but was never answered!
Coleman on September 23, 2007 2:48 AMHey Now Jeff,
Your workstation looks even better now. I just noticed you don't have a mouse wrist rest/pad. I really like to use them I'm curious why you don't prefer them. The arms look really good.
Coding Horror Fan,
Catto
Disclaimer - Lazyweb post.
With a 3 monitor setup, is it possible to have a dual monitor configuration with the 3rd monitor (or wide-screen tv in this instance) detatched for running things like full screen movies simultaneously?
So in a nutshell - a virtual monitor consisting of 2 physical monitors, and a separate monitor capable of fullscreen mode. I have searched and searched for answers and software.
Jeff, you seem to be quite familiar with software that increases usability, have you come across anything that would make this feasable?
Rah on September 23, 2007 6:39 AMJeff,
A while ago I bought a fairly cheap monitor arm (http://www.mosolid.com.tw/product.php?mode=showcid=74pid=45) for my 20" widescreen Dell but I have ended up going back to the original stand. Just wondering if your arms (as the in LCD ones :-P) suffer from any of the problems I had:
1) The upright flexes left and right even when securely fastened to the desk (I even tried screwing it to the wall with 3" screws)
2) when fully extended to the left or right the screen is no longer level as the weight of the monitor flexes the pivot joints.
3) Moving the screen a lot (as you do when you first get it set up) causes the pivot joints to become loose and don't hold the screen in position.
Some photos of the LCD arm I have:
http://djedmunds.steamerlanding.com/photos/d/577-4/000_0099.jpg
http://djedmunds.steamerlanding.com/photos/d/592-4/000_0101.jpg
Thanks for blogging, I appreciate it
Doug from Australia
Doug on September 23, 2007 7:56 AMThe nice thing is, with that many monitors arranged like that, there's typically a focal point where you can set a bag of microwave popcorn and have it pop. Sitting at that point is not recommended.
Mark on September 23, 2007 9:55 AMbut do your SyncMasters have a background music that you can hear if you turn the volume up?
Electrical noise (eg, coil whine or buzz) is usually only audible at *extremely* low sound levels, but it is present in most electronics. In this case, it seems your sound card is picking up and amplifying that electrical noise. Electrical noise is very difficult to "fix", so I recommend fixing the amplification problem. Have you tried different sound cards, or relying on external USB sound solutions?
Just wondering if your arms (as the in LCD ones :-P) suffer from any of the problems I had
No, I don't think so, at least not in the week I've used them. The Ergotron LX arms are quite solid for me.
to get two arms, do you just buy two whole arm sets
They sell a dual LX, as well as arm extensions and laptop platforms:
http://www.provantage.com/scripts/search.dll?SEC=@ERGTQUERY=ergotron+lx
Where did you get that lamp?
It's not very exotic.. it's an inexpensive flourescent desk lamp I picked up from Home Depot around 2003. It's an unusually nice design for Home Depot, though. If I was buying today, I'd go with one of the Koncept LED desk lamps:
http://www.konceptech.com/ledlighting.html
Jeff Atwood on September 23, 2007 10:40 AM@Rah: If by detached, you include a 15 ft dvi cable (or 30 ft s-video cable if you're just watching movies) then yes, by all means. Most (all?) video card drivers allow you to set one screen as the full-screen device. You will probably need two graphics cards (but then you can have three monitors + tv = awesome :-)
Jeff: sweet setup! At work I have a 24" and a 19" in portrait mode, which makes them very close in vertical size and resolution.
-- bjorn
bjorn on September 23, 2007 11:04 AMDear Jeff.
First thanks for such a great blog, your an inspiration to us all.
I'm a long time reader but it still maybe a lot to ask. what happened to your image hosting with amazon S3? i see you switched to flickr? i dont really care about your choice but unfortunately my office blocks all these image hosting sites and i cant really enjoy your blog as much.
I wonder if other readers have the same problem as me.
L Tauber on September 23, 2007 11:13 AMDear Jeff
I understand this is off topic slightly but do your SyncMasters have a background music that you can hear if you turn the volume up?
My SyncMaster 225MW plays strange music in the background and every time there is no sound playing you can hear it, Its a pain and I can find no reason for it or how to fix it.
I'd appreciate any help any one can offer.
Duggy on September 23, 2007 11:54 AMhi there, i have a ergoton 3 screen monitor stand and they are awesome! mine has a single base which sits flat on the desk, uses up a little desk space but overall i gain from loosing the other bases. i have pictures of the setup on my facebook. now im using the ergotron stand (160), 3 X 19" LCD monitors (150 each) and a triplehead2go unit (160) so the lot is worth around 770 for the setup, i got the whole lot in eaby for 450! bargin! anyway the triplehead2go unit from Matrox is awesome and can be used with a single graphics output as it basically emulates a massive monitor! 3864 X 1024 i think is the res, then it splits it accross your 3 screens. this means i could attach this to any computer and it would work. the great thing is you can play games accross all 3 monitors and not just the center one. for work purposes its awesome, i orginally thought the problem i would have would be when i maximise a program it will span accross all three, but no it doesnt! it maximises to the monitor the application is most on, this is due to a handy little app that matrox provide with the triplehead2go unit.
these some links to the units pages
http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/gxm/products/th2go/
http://www.matrox.com/graphics/jp/gxm/products/th2go/gaming/list.php
its awesome for world of warcraft
http://www.matrox.com/graphics/jp/gxm/products/th2go/gaming/wow.php
N1CO3MUS (chris) on September 24, 2007 2:15 AMa 19" in portrait mode
Be careful with portrait mode (eg, rotated monitors) because that changes the RGB element alignment of the display, and that in turn breaks any fancy RGB rendering techniques-- such as ClearType.
No OS supports changing RGB rendering strategies per-monitor that I know of.. and even if it did, a 3X apparent increase in vertical resolution is nowhere near as effective as the 3X apparent increase in horizontal resolution you get with standard RGB element alignments.
I suppose you can switch back to plain old greyscale font rendering, but ClearType is awfully nice.
Jeff Atwood on September 24, 2007 2:28 AMThats the thing its not static, the monitor/tv itself actually makes the Music! it like elevator music just playing low in the background, it gets really annoying :X Thanks for your suggestions though.
Duggy on September 24, 2007 8:50 AMOne other big benefit of monitor arms like this is the fact that if you're tall, you can get a longer pole and position your monitors at eye level height, rather than having to peer down at them with normal stands.
I'm 6'5" and have the ergotron twin arm setup at work with a (I think) 70cm pole and it's been a great improvement.
Of course the ideal would be a height adjustable desk but I haven't been able to get one of those yet.
Giles Paterson on September 24, 2007 11:35 AMWhere are your images hosted today Jeff? I can't see them at work which means the site that hosts the images are blocked for me. :(
djchester on September 25, 2007 1:17 PMI've had 2 of these monitor arms for a year now and frankly, I can't imagine a desk without them. THEY ROCK. Note: I PAID full price for my monitor arms, so I'm less biased and equally enthusiastic.
Oh, and if you want to make your setup more awesome, get thee to your local IKEA. Grab some velcro cable straps ( the arm's one weakness is their cable runs don't hold very well - the velco straps are better than duct tape!) and a box of the white LCD strip lights. You use the mounting clips and double sided sticky tape and mount 3 or 4 of the lights in a rectangluar array under the monitor that sits over your keyboard and you have the SINGLE best dark office desk/keyboard light you've ever dreamed of. It is a pure white, very soft light with low illumination, but still plenty bright to see the keyboard and anything right nearby. Cable strap the power switch to the arm and you can reach behind and flip it on and off at will. Truely awesome! ( http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50119407 )
I'll post pics if anyone is interested (once I clean my desk)
Xepol on September 26, 2007 2:59 AMDamn your desk looks nice!
Other people also post pictures of your desks, im getting a new table for my pc and I will post pictures.
Case on September 26, 2007 12:42 PMXepol, post picture.
I wonder exactly how many sales this one blog will generate. I just ordered one for my boss. I'm sure I will order one for everyone else in the office. ( All 5 of us )
Thanks almighty blogger.
Leo on September 26, 2007 1:34 PMI've got a 20" turned sideways to match up with the vertical on my 30" (and its an Apple, so no VESA mount for me I guess), but I haven't noticed any problem with font rendering over on that sideways one. Of course most of my PDF reading is done on the main screen, or maybe I don't have Cleartype turned on, and don't know what I'm missing.
The one thing that seems to stand out more, is when syntax coloring against black, the colors seem to be at different depths. Very disturbing if you pay too much attention to it.
woolstar on September 27, 2007 11:25 AMYou can get VESA mounts from Apple for Apple LCDs; check the ergotron site for how:
http://www.ergotron.com/tabid/354/language/en-US/default.aspx
Jeff Atwood on September 27, 2007 11:42 AMDrove another sale - you should be getting referral credits.
There is some shaking, but the desk itself is on carpeting. One monitor (the heavier of the two - a Dell 20" and a Viewsonic 20") is much worse than the other. Since they're side by side, I think if I used a strip or two of packing tape across the back, that should enough rigidity to stabilize things.
Chris Weiss on September 30, 2007 9:31 AMI'll post pics if anyone is interested (once I clean my desk)
Xepol, I'm interested in seeing your IKEA LCD monitor lights.. they sound like a great low-cost bias light technique, similar to what is documented here:
http://www.instructables.com/id/EE79YDCL0REQZJI1AZ/?ALLSTEPS
Like Kev in the above comments, I have the Dell 2405FPW (which is 15.4 lbs without the stand) that I thought would be perfect with the Ergotron Neo-Flex LCD arm. On the Ergotron website, I checked to make sure it could handle the weight before buying, and it states that it can take up to 18 lbs of load.
I find this to be incorrect.
Even after tightening up all the screws with an allen wrench, the monitor arm sags slowly with the weight of the LCD. No matter what I do, I can't get it to sit in place unless I play around with it for a while and have the arm down low.
I'm pretty disappointed because I love the Neo-Flex except for this major detail and hate to go back to the included stand because of it, but I might, regardless of the $80 I spent.
Patrick Haney on October 11, 2007 6:07 AMHey Jeff, is that a headphone/speaker splitter you've got your headphones plugged into? Can you please post details. They seem pretty hard to come by. Cheers.
Alan on October 13, 2007 10:06 AM@Patrick Henry,
We suggest a 20” monitor size limitation for the Neo-Flex Desk Mount. While the product should hold the weight, some larger or widescreen monitors have a CG (Center of Gravity) that is out of range and causes the arm to sag. Feel free to call our Tech Support at 800-888-8458. They are here in Minnesota and they may be able to help.
@Kev,
Since we aren’t able to physically test every monitor made with our arm we keep the specs below actual performance (in some cases). Our LX arm does work on many heavier monitors and many monitors over 20”. If you are planning to mount a monitor that is outside our suggested limits, I would call tech support to insure you have everything you need. You will probably need the 100 x 200 mounting adapter.
@David A. Lessnau,
I did provide 100X200 adapter bracket to Jeff. When I first wrote to Jeff about our products he had different monitors and I was sure the arms would work. But by the time the arms arrived, Jeff had purchased new monitors that were larger than spec. Our product specialists thought they would still mount so I shipped out the adapter plates and they worked.
@LcdMonitorFan
We don’t have a product named the ergoflex. Is it the Neo-flex? Or is it a competing product?
I ordered the wall mount version (45-180-194) for my two Dell 2405PFW's but didn't read (until after my order) that Pat had posted that they didn't seem to work with his. Thanks so much Steve for posting the tech support number... it turns out that the 2405's are not supported. I was able to cancel my order in time from Provantage. Steve is there a model that will support these monitors?
Paul Dolan on October 22, 2007 8:37 AMif you don't earn at least 3k$ per month, don't read this blog :/
erf on October 29, 2007 9:14 AMWallpaper by:
http://interfacelift.com/wallpaper/details.php?id=1355
(not me)
Niels on October 30, 2007 7:03 AMerf, i got my dual monitor arms on ebay for $40 and they're fantastic. i looked for something heavy looking and metal and although i rock 20.1"s they'd have no problem with 24's i am certain. with 20.1" monitors at $200 and under, you'd be a ifool/i not to hook yourself up if you have meaningful computer interaction more than ten hours a week. the additional usable desk space, the ability to adjust monitor height and angle, the ability to swivel it to my viewing position, these things are essential ergonomic features you'd be crazy not to grant yourself, even if you only make 36k$. if you're a single parent too, well, sorry, i guess feeding jimmy may be more important.
rektide on November 7, 2007 2:51 AMJohn, I bring my own stuff in, because I'm mega-picky. I always negotiate the ability to bring in and use my own equipment whenever possible.
Jeff Atwood on December 24, 2007 10:57 AMIt's a really nice setup. I know Vertigo is such a good company. But do they actually provide you with these 3 monitors? or you just bring your own stuff to your office.
John Green on December 24, 2007 11:08 AMI have a multiple display of Samsung 245BW: Great looking monitors, but I just can't get the best set up for them: when in high res the text is too small and when watching movies the color is way off, this is all due to I am sure to my playimg with the settings - Anyway I was very interested to what setting you have you samsung to give the best performance.
Paul on January 18, 2008 9:17 AMPaul,
Press the "fan" button on 245BW and select the mode you like. Even if you've got it out of wack by messing with the settings, this will get it back to a known mode. I prefer "movie" for just about everything, although "Sports" seems to add a lot of color depth, but that's just me.
Coleman on January 24, 2008 11:53 AMI noticed the specs for the model # (arms and mounts) used in your setup would not be able to handle 2 24" widescreen LCD's on one mount. Is this correct or would I need two mounts with an arm on each, to mount my 2 24" Widescreen LCD's?
Is there a model that can mount two 24" WS LCD's side by side with one mount and 2 arms?
Thanks, Joe
Joe on February 9, 2008 6:40 AMHow can the rest of us get our hands on the 200x100 for those arms ? Will Steve send them out to everyone ?
When I search online I can't find any desk mount that supports 200x100 only wall mounts ( this is for the same samsung monitors, so weight is not a problem )
Rob on February 16, 2008 6:19 AMWhat desk is that? I think I've seen a pic of that desk on a different forum. I'm really wanting a corner/L desk with a curve like that in the center.
Kerouac on March 1, 2008 11:11 AMNice writeup, I've been struggling with the ergonomics on my three monitor setup. This sounds perfect and I'm getting the same setup from Provantage for $272.91 + $40 SH.
Matt C on March 20, 2008 9:41 AM@Rob I too am looking for the 200x100 plates I am going to call Tech Support shortly to find out how to get them. If I find anything out I will post back.
@Rob - Here is the part number from Tech Support is 97-197-200.
HTH
Fuzz
Monoprice.com actually has a fairly nice VESA arm for a very low price - under $15.00.
harold on April 3, 2008 8:36 AMFuzz
I appreciate this info - oddly enough it is not easy to figure out the adapter number. I have looked everywhere for a VESA 100X200 arm for my Samsung 245T.
Lucky I stumbled on this blog.
Bayfront Benny on April 6, 2008 7:56 AMNice blog. Love the setup. I have 1 24" same model Samsung as you next to a 20 inch Dell but have been thinking of getting another matching 24" like you have for this same setup.
One question though is what videocard are you using to do this? I've looked at the Nvidia Quadro that has 4 heads and then the Matrox cards that have 3 heads. Thanks for any advice!
Mike on May 5, 2008 9:34 AMHi all,
Ordered and recived my LX arm yesterday with the optional 100 x 100 mount for my Samsung 245T.
Im very impress holds my 24 Inch Samsung in any postion with no effert at all. The arm to me is an excelent value.
Dave
dave on June 26, 2008 9:51 AMI purchased a multiple monitor array from http://www.multiplexpc.com two weeks ago and it just arrived. I will post pics shortly.
Kevin on August 9, 2008 4:03 AMHere's a great place to get multi-monitor stands and arrays:
http://www.multi-monitors.com/SUPER_PC_Multi_Monitors_com_Multi_Screen_LCD_Stands_s/24.htm
http://www.multi-monitors.com/SUPER_PC_Multi_Monitors_com_Multi_Screen_LCD_Displays_s/21.htm
Awesome! Three monitors is definitely more freedom. I actually have four on my computer. That's almost not enough. ha!
Multi-Monitor on August 18, 2008 4:07 AMI recently purchase the Samsung 2232BWplus (22 inches) and would like to mount it...any recomendations? Please help
Lauretta on October 9, 2008 2:45 AMGood Morning!
In order for you to do a fair and unbiased, I think you should evaluate all of the mount manufacturers.
A good place to start is ours! Check out www.chiefmfg.com. We are the leader in mounting solutions for all sized monitors including large LCD's and Plasmas.
Chief has a 60 day FREE TRIAL program for Corporations to try our products free for 60 days.
Anyone interested in this program or monitor mounts feel free to contact me at stephen.horn@milestone.com
Please include coding horror in your emails!
Stephen Horn
East Coast Sales Manager
Chief Manufacturing
678-481-0299
stephen.horn@milestone.com
ADMIN, PLEASE CONTACT ME!
Does anyone know which of the 19 or 20 monitor models in Dell's line most closely matches the physical height of the 2405FPW's screen? I'd like to buy a 19 or 20 to go with my 2405FPW and would like the top and bottom bezel to line up if possible.
Thanks!
Stan on January 6, 2009 8:57 AMThank you very much for the great information.
Thanks
a href=http://www.flipmusiccharts.info/flip music charts/a
Awesome thanks... I was having problems finding a good stand for trip 24s..... We have similar tastes I have HD600's and a Gilmore lite. Good to have found your blog.
Aric on August 2, 2009 5:15 AMThank you for the information you have shared.It was a very nice idea! your work is very good and i appreciate your work and hopping for some more informative posts .
Wall LCD on August 13, 2009 4:29 AMI need a popular blog too!
John Ferguson on February 6, 2010 10:14 PMI want to buy exactly the same setup you have except that I want all three monitors to be 24". I'm also going to use Synergy Plus:
http://code.google.com/p/synergy-plus/
to control the keyboard and mouse between a Windows 7, Ubuntu Linux, and OS X Mac Mini (one on each screen).
I'm thinking of also getting the Microsoft Natural Wireless Desktop 7000:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Microsoft-Natural-Wireless-Ergonomic-Desktop-7000/10929524?sourceid=1500000000000003142050&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=10929524#rr
Which is much like the 4000 keyboard model you touted in your other post, but it's wireless and has a tiny USB receiver instead of the gigantic one I have on the Desktop Pro series I have now.
I need to look up those monitor arm model numbers you have and find the overall price. I hope triple 24"s will fit on my desk. Looks like you are also using IKEA Galant desk, is that true? I'm probably going to have to pick some of those up off Craig's List too.
Dante Lorenso on April 1, 2010 10:40 PMSYSTEMD Sarl. importe et distribue en France les supports pour moniteurs informatiques de la Marque MODERNSOLID http://www.mosolid.com.tw
Pour toutes informations merci de contacter
Christophe Prépoint
Responsable Commercial / Marketing & Communication
Gsm : + 33 (0) 6 18 23 27 26
c.prepoint@systemd-bx.com
SYSTEMD Sarl. Agence de Bordeaux
notre site internet : http://www.systemd-bx.com
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SYSTEMD Sarl.
Parc Fontaudin Avenue Descartes - 33370 Artigues-Près-Bordeaux
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infos@systemd-bx.com
Wow that looks really sweet! I was looking to do that with Ergotron mounts for my triple monitor set up. I was looking at LCD Monitor Mounts and they have this triple horizontal stand by Ergotech that I bought
ErgoTech Triple Desk Stand this works awesome! They also carried those Ergotron mounts but this was a bit cheaper for me plus they had a 10% discount from wide screen gaming forum.
I'd be alot more interested in actually seeing your workflow with that setup... I'm quite happy with my single 30" atm.
Antony Stubbs on May 20, 2010 5:59 PMNice blog love the setup
www.mountmytelevision.com
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