Monitor wall mounts - ahh, help!

In My Humble Opinion
1

I have a 27" Dell Monitor that I’m looking at attach to my wall, to save desk space.

Easy, right? Where on earth do I start? Aside from the bewildering array of choice, at vastly different prices, all the wall mounts I can see look like they screw into the back of your monitor, but the back of my monitor is smooth. What am I missing?

I want something as small and inconspicuous as possible, it doesn’t need to tilt, although height adjustable might be nice.

Anyone here know what they are doing with such things?

2

There’s a standardized mounting pattern of screw holes on the back of most monitors. If your monitor doesn’t have them, then this won’t work. But I’m guessing they are there and you are just missing them. Look for 4 holes arranged in a square, around 30 cm apart.

3

Nope, not there, my monitor has a completely smooth back (it’s a DELL S2817, like this one)

4

Thinking that your stand might be mounted using the four screws, I tracked down the manual.

Errm, nope! Maybe you could mount a floating shelf, set the monitor on that? Here’s that and more.

5

You are out of luck. The S series is a consumer line and they don’t include any provision for wall mounting. A shelf is your only real option.

6

I think I’ve solved that first issue, I need to buy a Vesa wall mount adaptor (from humancentric).

So, with that conundrum solved, how do I choose a wall mount? There’s so much choice.

7

I didn’t see your exact model number on the page, which adaptor are you planning to buy?

Do you need the monitor to raise and lower? Not all have that feature and the mounts can be much simpler without it. Your adaptor is going to mean the monitor is further from the wall than normal, so factor that in. Do you know where the studs are in your wall and where you plan to sit? That can impact which mount is best for you.

We use an Omnimount - similar to this one - https://www.amazon.com/OmniMount-OC40FMX-Extension-13-Inch-37-Inch/dp/B00BCA41R0/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1

8

Tapping on the wall, I think it’s plaster on brick - it’s an old Victorian house, so that would make sense.

I don’t need the monitor to move really, it’s going be directly in from of me, where I sit at my desk. Same height as I have it now - the only reason I want to wall mount it is because the base is bulky and my desk is small, so I’m trying to clear some workspace.

9

My current monitors use a stand that clamps to the edge of the table.

I use dual monitors. You can buy similar stands for one. This stand also works with a grommet base that uses a hole in the desk.

10

I was going to suggest what @aceplace57 posted or a shelf on the desk like this one from Monoprice.

I have a midcentury modern desk kind of like this one (https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bC_ufvyQF14/TKZMuloY_hI/AAAAAAAAEMQ/b_f8mo5uZvU/s1600/356346534_tp.jpg) and this way I can store my keyboard under the monitor.

11

Way down at the bottom of that page in the specs it says

VESA is the screen mounting standard, and it’s saying that the mounting holes are in
a 100mm-edge square. Maybe where the stand attaches?

12

What do you know, you can find ANYTHING on the internet these days!

13

I work in IT and, for the needs you’ve described, I’d third AcePlace’s recommendation of what is essentially a clamp-mounted pole with an arm on which you’d attach your monitor. This option would avoid drilling holes in your wall and you’d be able to adjust the position slightly if necessary.

Try Monoprice or even NewEgg for such equipment. Amazon is good, too (though I’ve seen them buy tech from or MonoPrice NewEgg and simply double the price, so why not just go straight to the distributor and not deal with the re-reseller?).

Down in the Q&A on your linked page, someone asks if the unit comes with a VESA Mount and someone else notes that it doesn’t even tough the specs say it does. That answerer is misunderstanding. The monitor is set up to be VESA-mount capable, meaning it’s got holes and threaded bolts in place and waiting to be used. In this case, the holes are centered 100mm apart. But the monitor is not shipped with a VESA mount. The end-user can purchase a VESA mount or might find the right sized attachment piece in the collection of parts that are included with the wall-mount or pole-mount or ceiling mount (designed, naturally, to fit specifically with the mount manufacturer’s proprietary design).

–G!

14

I don’t want to have a clamp on the desk - it’s an antique, so I want to avoid using anything which might mark it. Hence the desire to mount on the wall.

15

You can mount a short 4x4 on the wall. I’d use a six inch long piece. Paint it to match your wall color.

You’ll need 6" wood screws. Pre drill the 4x4 so the screws snugly go through. Mount into the wall stud. You’re attaching a cleat to the wall.

A C clamp monitor arm will easily grab onto the 4x4.

I wouldn’t use a 2x4. The C clamp needs more area to grip. That arm creates a lot of torque on the clamp.

16

Uh, you need a 18 inch 4x4 cleat so it’ll catch two studs. 2 screws in each stud. Studs are usually spaced 16: inches on center. You can mount the monitor arm anywhere on that cleat.

I had a momentary brain fart. :blush:

17

Ah, I think you missed the post about my wall - it’s solid brick, skimmed in plaster, so I assume I can drill straight into the wall without the need for a cleat?

18

Mounting into brick is a whole 'nuther kettle of fish. Do you have masonry bits and a powerful drill, or an impact driver? You’ll also want some sort of insert to put in the holes to receive the screws. It’s not trivial, but it can be done by most handy homeowners.

19

It says that but in the reviews section, one person asks about this, and someone responds, “No it does not even though the description says it does and there is no vesa support. I had to buy a vesa adapter for mine with no help from Dell and of course it’s not working well and I’m stuck with s2817q and cannot return.” So it’s not clear.

20

I’m totally fine drilling into my walls, have done it many times, hanging shelves and wotnot. I have the drill, drill bits, rawplugs, am totally tooled up.