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A vertical computer monitor is a great way to save space on your desk while increasing the workspace on your computer screen. Using this configuration is great for people who work with split screens or have multiple windows and tabs open simultaneously. Using a vertical monitor is also beneficial for working on documents with many lines of text or rows of information as you can see more content on the screen at a time.
What is a vertical monitor, and how is it different from other monitors?
A vertical monitor is essentially a traditional computer monitor, turned on its side. Instead of the display being horizontal (or in landscape mode) on a vertical monitor, the display is vertical or portrait orientation.
Can you turn a regular monitor into a vertical monitor?
You can turn a landscape monitor into a vertical monitor, but some work better in a vertical position than others. For example, you could rotate the display on your laptop. However, that means that you will need to turn your laptop on its side to properly view the information on the screen. You will then need a free-standing keyboard to do any work, not to mention the possibility of your laptop being knocked over.
For best results – and to eliminate costly accidents of the monitor falling over – it is suggested that you have a dedicated vertical monitor or at least a monitor that is mounted to function both horizontally and vertically.
It is easy to change the display orientation of a compatible monitor to show a portrait display. Most operating systems support this feature. On a Windows computer, right-click anywhere on your home screen. Select 'Display Settings,' scroll down to 'Display Orientation,' and select your desired vertical mode display option from the drop-down menu.
On a Mac, go to the Apple menu and select 'System Preferences,' click 'Displays,' then either click 'Rotate' or choose the value you want the change to reflect in the Rotation pop-up menu.
Remember that if you have a multiple-monitor or dual monitor setup, you need to select which monitor you want to use as a vertical screen before making the above changes.
You may also need to move your taskbar. To do this, click on a blank area on the taskbar and drag the bar to where you would like it to be. You can lock the taskbar in place by right-clicking on the taskbar and selecting 'Lock the Taskbar.'
How to Mount a Vertical Monitor
Some monitors may have stands that allow you to pivot the monitor 90 degrees. However, sometimes you can purchase an ergonomic stand that has this feature. Depending on your needs and setup, you can get either a wall-mounted or desk-mounted monitor stand. The mount should allow for height adjustment or be high enough to accommodate the monitor's height when it is turned vertically. More premium monitors often include adjustable stands that are designed to accommodate this configuration.
Vertical monitor mounts have four screws that attach to the back of a compatible monitor. These screws will hold the monitor secure when you rotate it. Most ergonomic stands will also allow you to tilt the monitor up and down or move it left and right to position it exactly as you need to get the best viewing angle.
Benefits of a Vertical Monitor
Vertical monitors don't only make more optimum use of your desk space; they also enable you to work more efficiently.
See more rows of text and code.
Because a portrait monitor displays more lines, it is advantageous if you work a lot with long text documents or code. It is also beneficial for persons who do a lot of work on spreadsheets. Having a monitor in portrait mode allows you to view more rows of data on the screen at any given time. It also eliminates the empty spaces that are often present on the sides of the screen or document you are working on.
Gamers could also benefit from having a dedicated vertical gaming monitor to access features like skype or other communication programs.
Make the most of limited space.
Multiple monitors generally take up a lot of space. Turning your monitors into a vertical position can save some space or allow you to add additional monitors to your configuration.
Increased productivity.
Vertical computer monitors generally increase efficient productivity. Having your monitors orientated vertically means that most of the information on the displays is likely to be in your direct view. This lessens the need to move your head from side to side as you would need to when you have a wide viewing angle with multiple horizontal screens. This avoids possible neck fatigue and strain.
Having two windows stacked on top of each other on a screen with vertical orientation allows you to view the information in both windows effortlessly. It eliminates the need to scroll horizontally to read entire sentences that may be cut off if you were to place these two windows side-by-side on a horizontal monitor. Therefore you read things more quickly and can improve productivity.
How to Choose the Best Vertical Monitor
People who use vertical monitors do so because they have a specific need. Thus, the best vertical monitor is the one that meets your unique needs the best.
Screen resolution.
A monitor's resolution indicates the actual number of pixels that are displayed on the screen. More pixels mean that the images on the screen are sharper and clearer. Larger screens may not necessarily have more pixels and could just end up taking up space without adding any benefits, especially if the images are pixelated or blurry. Monitor resolutions range between 1920 x 1080 to 3840 x 2160 or 4K.
Panel technology.
The panel technology of a monitor affects how the information on the screen is viewed. It influences the response times, viewing angles, color contrasts, and accuracy. Four main panel types fall under LCD technology. The four types are TN, VA, OLED, and an IPS panel.
Display size.
Monitors typically range between 23" and 65". While bigger is not always better, it is beneficial, especially if you have a monitor with a decent resolution. Larger screens do take up more space, but when you have a vertical monitor, it is unlikely that it will take up as much desk space as a horizontal monitor of the same screen size.
Larger monitors mean you could potentially have even more information on the screen at a time. Some monitors have an ultra-thin bezel, increasing and optimizing the amount of visible screen space the monitor offers. If positioned correctly, you can see information on larger screen sizes from a further distance. This is better for both your eyes and your posture.
That said, larger screens often have a more significant price tag, especially if you require more advanced features. They may also distort on-screen images if the aspect ratio is not optimum and may not be the best option for photo editing or design work.
Color contrast.
Monitors with a better color contrast ratio show each color more distinctly. It is usually calculated based on the whitest white and the blackest black that a monitor can display. This is often a preference for gamers and if you are planning on watching movies or series on your monitor. Photographers and graphic designers will also benefit from monitors with a higher color contrast as the images on the screen would resemble the actual colors more accurately.
Refresh rate.
The refresh rate of a monitor is how often the monitor refreshes the information displayed on the screen. This is indicated by Hz. A monitor with a refresh rate of 60 Hz is usually sufficient. However, refresh rates can go up to 120 and even 240 GHz. This will only be noticeable if your computer has a graphic card that can support this refresh rate.
Compatibility.
While most monitors offer the option to change your display orientation, this is not true for all monitors. So first, you will need to ensure that the monitor has that capability.
You also need to consider how you will be mounting the monitor. Thinner monitors may not have space on the back where the screws for the monitor stand can attach to. The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) has set standards for configuring the layout of these holes to make them more uniform and universal. VESA set hole patterns can follow six different patterns, for example, 75mm x 75mm or 400 x 400mm.
Most manufacturers adhere to VESA standards which means that your monitor should not have a problem attaching to most stands. Still, you will need a VESA mount where the hole pattern matches the hole pattern on your monitor.
A vertical monitor lets you make the most of your desk space while increasing the amount of information that you can display on the screen at any one moment. They are ideal for gamers or those who work with large rows of text or information like writers, programmers, and accountants. They can increase your efficiency and productivity while encouraging better posture and lessen neck strain and fatigue.