Attaching portable monitor to the top of screen, not the side
June 9, 2020 5:18 PM Subscribe
I have been considering a product like this or this for when I would normally need my external monitor for work that requires more screen real estate. I bought two of of these side mount magnetic holders for my iPad to see how I liked a second monitor hooked up to my laptop and realized I’d rather have the screen attached above rather than on the side for the kind of work that I do. The magnetic holders I bought suck and will be returned, so looking for another solution.
In addition to the magnet I’ve also tried the clips that hold your iPad (like this). I hated those even more than the magnets — any movement and it would fall and I worried about damaging my outrageously overpriced MacBook Pro, so I am primarily interested in something like the SideTrak that attaches to the back of the laptop screen and can slide in and out without putting all the weight at one point. After having to detach the magnets whenever I was moving to another location I also like the thought of something that can just stay on the laptop when not in use.
I don't mind putting something together myself by buying a portable monitor and then rigging up something that attaches to the back of my laptop screen that will hold it up. I could spend a few hundred dollars on this or possibly more since I planned on replacing my 8+ year old Apple display soon and if this means I can work from my hammock next to my desk instead of at my desk it would be money well spent. I’ve been working at home for almost a decade and have no plans to stop, so I might as well take advantage of being able to work laying down if I want. My laptop is a 2016 15" MacBook Pro, it will probably be replaced in 1–2 years and it’d be nice if whatever I do could graduate to a new machine. I’m a graphic designer but really don’t care very much about screen quality — since my laptop screen will be in play.
In addition to the magnet I’ve also tried the clips that hold your iPad (like this). I hated those even more than the magnets — any movement and it would fall and I worried about damaging my outrageously overpriced MacBook Pro, so I am primarily interested in something like the SideTrak that attaches to the back of the laptop screen and can slide in and out without putting all the weight at one point. After having to detach the magnets whenever I was moving to another location I also like the thought of something that can just stay on the laptop when not in use.
I don't mind putting something together myself by buying a portable monitor and then rigging up something that attaches to the back of my laptop screen that will hold it up. I could spend a few hundred dollars on this or possibly more since I planned on replacing my 8+ year old Apple display soon and if this means I can work from my hammock next to my desk instead of at my desk it would be money well spent. I’ve been working at home for almost a decade and have no plans to stop, so I might as well take advantage of being able to work laying down if I want. My laptop is a 2016 15" MacBook Pro, it will probably be replaced in 1–2 years and it’d be nice if whatever I do could graduate to a new machine. I’m a graphic designer but really don’t care very much about screen quality — since my laptop screen will be in play.
Attaching to the top in the way that your examples do would probably be a problem for the hinge of the laptop, not to mention its center of gravity. If it's acceptable to have a kickstand or other supplemental support, the first place I stop is at plain stands. 13" is plenty tall for my 14" laptop, and I wouldn't be surprised if it would work for a 17".
If your "working in bed" idea is a dealbreaker, I'm thinking you'll have to cobble something together. You might be able to cannibalize the side-sliders you've found, moving the rails to another thing you make. Maybe a 3D printer would be helpful here, or a piece of masonite or some steel/aluminum bar, but I'd really think about the weight that is going to be cranking on the rest of the machine, and whether it, either by weight or leverage, could bend the laptop screen itself.
In general, if you want something that is affixed to the top edge of the laptop screen, I don't think you'll ever be able to leave it on a table without it falling back.
posted by rhizome at 6:22 PM on June 9, 2020
If your "working in bed" idea is a dealbreaker, I'm thinking you'll have to cobble something together. You might be able to cannibalize the side-sliders you've found, moving the rails to another thing you make. Maybe a 3D printer would be helpful here, or a piece of masonite or some steel/aluminum bar, but I'd really think about the weight that is going to be cranking on the rest of the machine, and whether it, either by weight or leverage, could bend the laptop screen itself.
In general, if you want something that is affixed to the top edge of the laptop screen, I don't think you'll ever be able to leave it on a table without it falling back.
posted by rhizome at 6:22 PM on June 9, 2020
Another idea - find a VESA case for your iPad, then find a VESA pole mount, then drive a pole into the yard next to your hammock and mount your iPad/iPads to it.
posted by oceanjesse at 6:22 PM on June 9, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by oceanjesse at 6:22 PM on June 9, 2020 [1 favorite]
Wow - VESA floor stands are also a thing. I would look into this category as well. Weight separation may really help you!
posted by oceanjesse at 6:25 PM on June 9, 2020
posted by oceanjesse at 6:25 PM on June 9, 2020
Response by poster: oceanjesse, your first answer is a product that is only shown on the sides of the laptop, not the top like I’m looking for (the products I linked to above are basically the same thing), and the one you linked to also depends on it being up against a tabletop, in which case I’d just use my desk with the external monitor I already own — not sure if you’re understanding my ask based on your other links so I wanted to clarify. Also my hammock is actually inside, but it’s just one of many places I work at during the day — I like to move around, which is why I’m hoping for something that can stay attached to my laptop. The SideTrak I linked to twice in my question is the perfect concept, except it isn't in the position above my screen like I’d like. (I have emailed the company to ask if it could work that way, no answer yet.)
rhizome, I like your spitballing for some ideas on how to rig something myself, I do want a portable monitor and a way to attach it to the top of my laptop screen, not a separate stand.
I should make clear that I was just using my iPad as a temporary test to test the concept of a monitor attached to my laptop, I am looking for a portable monitor and won’t be using the iPad.
It’s cool if answers let me know if it just doesn't exist because it wouldn’t work without ruining my laptop, but I really don’t want ideas for a stand that goes on a tabletop or floor or links to products unless you know or strongly suspect it could be rigged to be attached to the top of my laptop screen, not the side. Thanks for the ideas so far!
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 7:07 PM on June 9, 2020 [1 favorite]
rhizome, I like your spitballing for some ideas on how to rig something myself, I do want a portable monitor and a way to attach it to the top of my laptop screen, not a separate stand.
I should make clear that I was just using my iPad as a temporary test to test the concept of a monitor attached to my laptop, I am looking for a portable monitor and won’t be using the iPad.
It’s cool if answers let me know if it just doesn't exist because it wouldn’t work without ruining my laptop, but I really don’t want ideas for a stand that goes on a tabletop or floor or links to products unless you know or strongly suspect it could be rigged to be attached to the top of my laptop screen, not the side. Thanks for the ideas so far!
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 7:07 PM on June 9, 2020 [1 favorite]
You might want to build a kit from RAM Mounts materials. Start here and maybe give them a call during business hours.
posted by oceanjesse at 9:02 PM on June 9, 2020
posted by oceanjesse at 9:02 PM on June 9, 2020
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posted by oceanjesse at 6:14 PM on June 9, 2020