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Buying a Monitor That Can Be Mounted To a Wall

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Buying a Monitor That Can Be Mounted To a Wall
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Buying a Monitor That Can Be Mounted To a Wall

Office space comes at a premium price. Whether the consumer is stuck working in a cubicle, or only a small corner of an apartment as their workspace, desk space is a precious commodity. TV monitors are often mounted to the wall to save space in small apartments, but people do not often do the same with computers.. This is likely because most desktop models were too big and bulky for wall mounting, but the introduction of flat-screen monitors changed everything.

Now, anyone who owns a flat-screen computer monitor that they purchased from an electronics store, or website like eBay,, can mount it onto the wall themselves. Doing so is not difficult, as long as the user has the proper equipment, the right type of mounting unit,, and stays away from running cords through the wall. Placing electrical cords inside the wall is a fire hazard, and should only be done by a trained professional like an electrician.

Before Beginning

There are several steps that a consumer must take to ensure that the wall is able to hold the weight of a computer monitor. For example, the folding dividers that separate one cubicle from another in an office workspace usually are not strong enough to hold up the weight of even an average sized computer monitor, let alone some of the models bigger than 25-inch (63 cm).

Wall Studs

The mounting unit is going to be attached to the stud behind the wall for extra support. Merely attaching the mounting unit to drywall is just asking for trouble or a potentially dangerous situation. Drywall is not strong enough to hold up the weight of most monitors and mounting units. Therefore, the consumer should also purchase a stud finder that allows them to locate the studs behind the walls.

The best studs are the wooden ones that are typically found in many homes since they are very strong. Metal studs are a little bit tricky. Most consumers who live in a home with metal studs, such as a mobile home or trailer, find out that their studs are made out of aluminium. This helps to keep the walls lightweight for towing a trailer around, but it is not the ideal material for attaching an LCD monitor. Much like drywall, aluminium studs bend under the weight of the computer monitor and mounting unit, causing structural problems.


Consumers who live in an apartment, or even a home surrounded by brick walls, can attach their LCD monitor to the wall. However, they require a special mounting unit to do so. Most stores only sell mounting units that are intended for drywall. The best bet for a mounting unit that works on brick is to find one by searching on eBay.

Types of Wall Mounts

There are several different wall mount versions available from a local electronics store or eBay. A consumer needs to carefully evaluate which version is needed. This depends on the height the computer is going to hang above the desk as well as the amount of sunlight in the room.

Flat Mounts

Flat mounts instal the LCD monitor flush against the wall. They are ideal for when the screen is going to be placed directly on top of the keyboard. The screen should also be at the same height level as the operator's eyes. Do not instal a flat mount that forces the operator to constantly look up at the screen. This causes repeated neck and back strain.

Swivelling Mounts

Swivelling mounts attach from a pivot point on the wall. This allows for the monitor to move back and forth. It is an ideal setup when the desk is perpendicular to the wall. Swivelling mounts are also great for when a kitchen table has to double as a workspace in smaller apartments. Simply pull the LCD monitor out from the wall during work time, and push it back into the wall for family meals.

Tilting Mounts

Tilting mounts allow the computer monitor to move up and down. They work best for when the screen is slightly higher than the operator's line of vision, but remember to never install the screen too high above the keyboard. Tilting mounts are also excellent choices for bright, sunny rooms that interrupt the clarity of the LCD screen. Tilt the mount down to adjust the amount of glare it receives from the sun in order to clearly see the computer screen.

Sizing a Wall Mount

Besides the type of wall mount needed, consumers also need to pay close attention to the size. If a consumer flips their flat panel LCD computer monitor over, he or she sees four holes on the back where the screws need to go. This is the part that attaches to the wall mounting unit, and the screw holes on the monitor must fit perfectly with the screw holes on the unit.

VESA Standard

The problem with most monitors is that the screw holes come in different sizes and shapes. Some models have a rectangular setup, while others use a square configurations. Unless a customer has some way of measuring the different mounting units, he or she has no idea if the model fits with the computer monitor. This is where the VESA Standard comes into play.


Screen Size (in)

Screen Size (cm)














The VESA Standard system uses a code that regulates the hole mount pattern on mounting units. Most new LCD monitors that are sold come with their compatible VESA code in the owner's guide. Therefore, all the owner has to do is find the matching mounting unit that is labelled with the same VESA code.


The most common VESA type for computers monitors is the MIS-D. It works well with the size of most desktop monitors that are between 12 inches (30 cm) and 22 inches (55 cm) in size. The screw holes on the back of these monitors are always square, either in a 75mm pattern, or a 100mm pattern.


Those who own a very large desktop monitor, might benefit greatly by upgrading to the MIS-E size. This version can hold an LCD screen up to 30 inches (76 cm.) in size. The screw hole pattern on these larger models is rectangular, meaning that they are not compatible with the smaller version. Their extra weight also means that consumers must be especially careful when attaching them into walls.


As a safety precaution, always remember to instal the cords between the monitor, keyboard, and tower outside of the wall. If the screen is very high, or uses a swivelling mount, then use an extension wire to account for the extra space. If a consumer does not like the way the wire looks, a cover can be purchased that runs on top of the wall and hides the wires. The problem with running monitor wires behind the walls is that they can get very hot very quickly. Most wires that are installed behind walls are treated with a special coat that keeps them cool, but computer wires are rarely sold this way. Therefore, it is better that the consumer put up with having unsightly wires hanging down from behind the computer screen, rather than risk a potential fire hazard.

How to Buy Wall Mounting Computer Monitors on eBay

eBay is a one-stop shop for both wall-mounting computer monitors and their matching mounting units. Consumers can safely purchase both items at the same time, and sometimes buying them together from a single seller results in a special discount. You can also save extra money by purchasing a slightly used monitor and mounting bracket.

To begin, start searching for 'flat panel computer monitors&'. These are typically the models that are compatible with mounting on the wall. A monitor that is not a flat panel cannot fit on the wall and must be used on the desk. Once this is done, or if you already have a flat screen monitor, then you can search for 'wall mounts for computers&'.

Typically, the search results for these products come in a long list with hundreds of different options. Try narrowing it down to size by searching for a specific product, such as 'wall mount 24-inch monitor&' to help return relevant results. You can also search by the VESA standard size, such as '100mm x 100mm wall mount&', in order to return results that match the computer monitor.


Buying a wall mount for a computer monitor allows the user to save extra space on their desk. This is especially true if the desk doubles as the kitchen table, or family office space. The first thing buyers have to look for when it comes to finding a wall-mounting bracket is to make sure their walls are strong enough to hold one. Different brackets work with different walls, and even brick walls have matching mounting units that consumers can find on eBay.

The second step is finding the right type of mount: flat, swivel, or tilt, that best fits with the desktop space. Finally, consumers must also ensure that they are buying the correct size wall mount for their monitor; otherwise the two pieces cannot work together. This means purchasing a model that uses the same VESA standard as the computer monitor. By thinking through their purchase every step of the way, consumers can easily buy the correct wall mount for their home or work computer.

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