Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2015 May 10

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May 10

How do you attach a monitor to a desk-mount monitor stand?

I've seen space-saving monitor stands that are essentially a pole clamped to the back edge of a desk. A monitor is attached to a bracket attached to the pole via an articulating arm. What I don't understand is, how do you attach the monitor to the bracket? None of the monitors I've seen has hardware on their back side to accept screws. Do you just use self-tapping plastic screws on the plastic back side of the monitor? How do you know where you can safely put a screw in? Can someone familiar with these products tell me how the attachment is supposed to work? --98.114.98.58 (talk) 16:06, 10 May 2015 (UTC)

Most monitors have VESA mount points on the back; they look like 4 small holes. The stand comes with the matching bracket and bolts. LongHairedFop (talk) 16:49, 10 May 2015 (UTC)

And an article with a photo. -- Gadget850 ^talk 16:52, 10 May 2015 (UTC)

I know that flat panel TVs have some kind of standardized mount points in the back. However, none of the computer monitors I've seen at warehouse clubs seems to have it. --98.114.98.58 (talk) 17:05, 10 May 2015 (UTC)

You need to remove the stand, then the four holes for the VSA mount will be revealed. Here is a Dell monitor with the stand and with it removed.[1] My 34" Vizio TV is wall mounted with an arm in this manner, and I have mounted many monitors in this way. Some monitors may have the stand screwed to the VESA points, others may have a latch to unlock it. Some may include the screws, others will not. -- Gadget850 ^talk 18:40, 10 May 2015 (UTC)

To be clear while you're right that some monitors have VESA mount points but it isn't obvious (e.g. this confusion [2]), not all monitors have them. E.g. a number of Samsung monitors do not [3] [4] [5]. These Dells and LGs apparently really don't either [6] [7] [8] (also some mentioned in earlier links). Actually some of those sources suggest VESA mount holes are unfortunately getting less common.

Most well known brands will probably be common enough (particularly since it's likely several models will share the same mount) that someone will make an adapter [9] [10]. And in some cases the manufacturer themselves may make one (but expect them to charge an arm an a leg for it). However if your offbrand monitor really doesn't have a VESA mount there's a chance your SOL unless perhaps you make something yourself.

(As our article mentions, there's also the fact that there are several different size versions of the standard, and that manufacturers don't always follow the standard that well, but good stands will usually come with adapters which are flexible enough to work with most non standard mounts and adapters which will work with several different sizes likely to be used by the stand.)

I think TVs tend to be more likely to have VESA mount holes, probably because it's resonably common to mount TVs on the wall or at least common enough that manufacturers see the advantage in making sure they give the option. Whereas with monitors, most people just put them on the desk and don't bother with wall mounting or alternative stands, so the percentage of people who are put off by no VESA mounting is too small for them to worry about.

So beyond just looking for LCD monitors with VESA mounts (as there are still plenty with them), you could just buy a 1080P TV (presuming you don't want a higher resolution).

Trouble is, it's often difficult to know what sort of panel is in a TV (well even more difficult to know that for monitors which can be difficult it itself). And sometimes difficult to turn off unnecessary processing which may cause latency problematic for gaming or have other undesired effects. And a TV will probably only have HDMI not DisplayPort, therefore if you want to use 3 monitors, you'll probably need an active adapter. So if you want use the monitor for more than simply watching videos and browing the internet, you may not be satisfied with your TV.

Nil Einne (talk) 05:11, 11 May 2015 (UTC)

Thanks for the detailed answer. --98.114.98.58 (talk) 04:54, 12 May 2015 (UTC)

DR BTN200 model

I have a wireless bluetooth headphone but i'm not sure how to connect it to my windows 7 laptop. Does windows 7 already have bluetooth or do I need to install it? Or something else? Depressed my entire life (talk) 22:44, 10 May 2015 (UTC)

The question is does your laptop have Bluetooth? See this Microsoft article. -- Gadget850 ^talk 23:12, 10 May 2015 (UTC)