Undesk My Monitor

November 6, 2008 8:31 AM

How can setup an lcd computer monitor to be used sitting in a normal chair, rather than in front of a desk?

I want to setup a computer rig in my living room, without a normal computer desk. Ideally I want to be able to sit in a normal lounge chair without any desk in front of it, and still be able to get a nice close-up head-on view of a monitor.

I'm thinking the best way to do this is to use a monitor arm, such as these, but they all seem to be designed around being mounted directly in front of the user. I need one to be able to travel sideways some distance so that I can mount it next to the chair and pull it in front of me when I want to use it. Does something like that exist, or is there anything I'm not thinking of that would help me do this?

Note: I'm aware that laptops exist, but I don't like using a tiny keyboard that's attached to the screen. I want the monitor to be eye-level and the keyboard to be wrist-level. I'm trying to capture as much of the desktop ergonomics as possible with this setup.

posted by burnmp3s to computers & internet (3 comments total)

Look closer at the multi-segment arms. Some of them list being able to be swung out of the way as a feature. I'm assuming you're going to be clamping it to a table next to the couch/chair, but there are also wall-mount arms out there.
posted by rhizome at 9:02 AM on November 6, 2008

Most LCD displays these days have VESA standard mounting. Using "VESA" as a search term might help your effort. I'd try looking at places that sell a lot of A/V equipment. B&H photo might be a good bet. You might have to assemble the solution yourself from some combination of base, riser, and arm
posted by Good Brain at 10:20 AM on November 6, 2008

I tried this with my recliner. There was just so much bulk. You'll have to have a pretty heave table for it to be sturdy. I have the LX Desk Mount LCD Arm. They work great on fold up tables!
posted by Climber at 4:41 PM on November 6, 2008