Help me buy a computer monitor?

November 26, 2023 7:15 AM

I'd like to buy a computer monitor and I'm having trouble finding the feature I want, regarding VESA mounts, can you help me?

I want a monitor that is fairly basic: moderate size (20-24" diagonal) and resolution, built-in speakers that are tolerable, and it rotates 90 degrees. This is for a family desktop situation, nothing too fancy needed. I can find lots of stuff that has these features, eg. this Dell, or this BenQ.

What I want that I can't find: one that has a VESA mount that can be used while the included stand is being used. I want this because my computer is a little Meerkat NUC that came with VESA mount hardware, and I'd really like to save space on my small desk by mounting the computer to the monitor. Does such a thing exist? I suppose two VESA mounts on the back would do it, or a single mount that the included stand doesn't use. But now that I write that out, it seems like maybe it doesn't exist...

If not: please recommend any nice monitors you like, or suggest brands you trust or stay away from.
Is it a terrible idea to just epoxy the mounting hardware to the back of a monitor? Because that's what I'll be wanting to do if I can't get a monitor with an available mount.
Thanks!

posted by SaltySalticid to Shopping (7 answers total)

Best answer: There are a number of adapters for NUC-sized computers out there that mount to the back of the monitor, provide space for the the NUC and then provide another VESA mount to install an arm on (which can then clamp to your desk). Some of them provide a "nook" for the NUC, others are designed to provide a second VESA mount on the side. (Those are just examples, you'll want to check to ensure the adapter you get will mount and fit correctly with both your NUC and whatever monitor you get.)
posted by eschatfische at 7:29 AM on November 26, 2023 [5 favorites]

You just need this double VESA plate: the VESA mount goes through the bracket, and there's a second VESA slot for your NUC.
posted by kschang at 11:45 AM on November 26, 2023 [3 favorites]

The “while the included stand is being used” part makes it tricky for a lot of monitors. Like the two the OP linked, in many cases the original stand has a kind of latch mechanism to connect it to the monitor, and they can be removed to expose VESA mount holes but otherwise block them while in use so wouldn’t be compatible. Probably the case with most that have a wide range of tilt, height, and swivel adjustability. More basic stands (perhaps with just tilt) are more likely to leave the VESA holes (if present) available.

Another option would be to use an adapter plus a third party VESA stand instead of the included one even if that seems a bit wasteful.
posted by Pryde at 11:48 AM on November 26, 2023 [2 favorites]

Not directly answering the question, but better than epoxying the NUC to the monitor: Dell makes a mounting kit for their docks, which has the necessary hooks and slots to mount into the rear of most Dell monitors, and then have the original stand mount to the adapter plate. The Dell monitor you linked is listed as one of the compatible models. However, the plate that sticks out to the side is not a second VESA mount, but instead has the hole spacing for their hub (which is two diagonal holes very close to 2.5" on center). You would need to drill out the appropriate VESA-spaced holes in the adapter plate.

(The kit does ship with both pieces of metal shown in the picture, and you only need one of the two (for the monitor you linked, I think it would be the larger one), so the other option would be to use the second plate to VESA mount to your NUC, but then you'd have to cobble together a way to secure the two plates together, so personally I'd probably just drill holes in the larger one.)
posted by yuwtze at 2:20 PM on November 26, 2023 [2 favorites]

Best answer: That little NUC weighs what... 2lbs? If the mount/monitor combo you want does not exist, I would not hesitate to stick it onto the back of your monitor using a few velcro 3M command strips, which are rated to support up to 16lbs.
posted by hovey at 3:23 PM on November 26, 2023 [2 favorites]

Seconding the velcro-style Command strips; I've used them to reversibly mount a bunch of stuff like this and they stay in place pretty much no matter what (unlike your usual velcro tape).
posted by Aleyn at 4:34 PM on November 26, 2023 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thanks all! I obviously did not consider that there might be a nice array of adapters for this sort of situation. I am also not opposed to using Command strips if I can't get it worked out with VESA.
posted by SaltySalticid at 8:32 AM on November 27, 2023