Both types of office desk aids help improve work quality and reduce the amount of strain and work the body has to do for ideal viewing. Both have advantages and disadvantages, and it is up to you to decide which type suits you best according to the nature of your work and the size of your office desk. FlexiSpot has both types listed on their website with their specifications mentioned; you can choose between the best monitor stand or the best monitor arm.
What Is A Monitor Used For?
A monitor, also known as a VDU or Video Display Unit, is how the operator can visualize what the computer is doing. While a computer can easily function without a monitor or a screen, the operator can't command the computer what needs to be done and monitor if the command is being carried out properly.
Monitors are used to display videos and text and are also the output device. There are many uses of monitors. These are the following uses of a monitor:
For Browsing the Web
Web browsing requires a screen to search for information, shop, or other purposes. Without a monitor, searching for what you are looking for would be impossible.
For Data Entry
Data entry is an essential part of any business and company, whether it is big or small. For maintaining records, data entry must be organized and properly. Without a computer screen, it would be impossible to enter data and look it up when it is required.
For Programming And Software Development
Computer programmers and software developers depend completely on screens to carry out their tasks. Without a screen, it would be impossible to do programming and software development. In fact, software developers and programmers often need larger or dual screens for improved visibility and better function.
For Gaming
Virtual gaming is a widely growing trend; millions of gamers worldwide exist. Playing virtual games on a computer or a gaming console would be impossible without a screen. Gamers need larger screens to work, so they can benefit from using dual screens for improved visibility and a better experience.
For Emailing
Sending and receiving work or personal emails would be impossible without a screen. Emails are essential means to deliver and receive messages and are an important mode of communication. Without screens, viewing them would not be possible.
For Business
All business-related work is now done on the computer. Instead of having physical documents and files, they can now be made easily on the computer without worrying about space and causing any damage to important documents and files.
Monitor Stands Vs. Monitor Arms: The Pros And Cons Of Both Types
Monitor stands and arms are both ergonomic equipment aids to help improve efficiency in the workplace, reduce desk space and minimize the harmful effects of viewing the screen at an incorrect height. Here is a description of both types and their pros and cons explained.
What Is A Monitor Stand?
A monitor stand is a fantastic aid that can prop your monitor screen to a comfortable height. Monitor stands are increasingly popular, and their use in the workplace has increased. Those who work from home and have set up a home office can even benefit from using monitor stands. They have many benefits, which we will discuss below.
Clears Up Work Space
A monitor resting on the desk or a laptop would take up too much space. Instead, a laptop stand would take a quarter of the space and elevate your monitor to the ideal eye level while freeing up ample desk space to place other essentials.
Adjusts According To The Eye Level
Viewing the monitor screen at eye level is extremely important as it is the recommended working height that everyone should work at. Placing the monitor screen too high or too low can cause vision disturbances and discomfort and places excessive strain on the eyes.
Reduces Head, Neck, And Shoulder Stiffness And Pain
If the monitor is placed above or below eye level, our bodies adjust accordingly to be able to view the screen. The user will either bend their neck too low or extend it up, resulting in pain and discomfort in the neck and shoulder region. Therefore monitors should always be placed at eye level.
Pros Of Using A Monitor Stand
They Have A Height Adjustability Function
The monitor stands to adjust according to the height of the user. This allows them to maintain the height of the screen at eye level at all times. This is great for reducing eye discomfort as well as neck and shoulder pain.
Cheaper
Monitor stands are not as expensive as monitor arms but have the disadvantage of taking up more space. They are ideal for use by people who have a large desk space.
Rotational Function
There is a 360-degree rotation option on monitor stands, allowing them to be rotated to allow for better visibility or to change positions while working.
They Improve Productivity at Work
Improved visibility, reduced fatigue, and eye strain help improve overall performance and productivity in the workplace.
Cons Of Using Monitor Stands
Stands take up more desk space compared to monitor arms, and unless your desk is very large, it is not recommended to get monitor stands
Monitor stands are not as flexible and do not allow rotation of the screen as well as monitor arms do.
What Are Monitor Arms?
Monitor's arms are similar to monitor stands, but they offer more flexibility and use up less desk space. Monitor's arms hold up monitors and screens to adjust the screen's height and free up more desk space. Check Flexispot for the best monitor arms to assist hold up your screens. You may add an additional screen for even better viewing, and there can also be a dual-screen support function without any extra desk space.
Pros of Using Monitor Arms
Offers Flexibility
Monitor arms are flexible and can be moved in all directions allowing the user to view the screen at any angle. You can easily move your screen around and tilt it to allow your colleagues to take a look as well. The screen can also be tilted back vertically to allow for maximum viewing. Multiple users can use it as the screen height can be raised or lowered according to the user's height.
Offers More Desk Space
When the monitor is held up on the monitor arm, it frees up a lot of desk space. This allows the user to keep desk lamps for overhead lighting, a keyboard, a mouse, and other important documents you might need. If the monitor or a laptop takes up too much space, all other essential items would be placed too far away or may not fit on your desk.
Reduces Neck Strain
By maintaining a monitor at the correct height, which is ideally eye level, the user does not have to bend their heads low or extend their necks high to be able to lift their heads to view screens above eye level. This can put a lot of strain on the shoulders and neck as they have to hold the weight of the head in an unnatural position for an extended period.
Reduces Eye Strain
Dim lighting or viewing the screen at the incorrect height can put unnecessary strain on the eyes and cause visual disturbances, eye discomfort, and pain. Eye strain can present in the following ways:
Itchiness
Redness
Watery eyes
Blurred vision
Double vision
Inability to focus
Painful eyes
Is Suitable For Dual Monitors
Monitor arms can hold up dual monitors to allow for an expansive view and ergonomic benefits for computer users. This is especially useful for gamers and software developers. It prevents shoulder and neck sprains from occurring due to the constant lifting and bending of the head.
Cons Of Monitor Arms
1. There are weight limitations as well as size differences with monitor arms. It is not a one size fits all description as monitors come in various sizes, and there is a difference in how much they weigh.
2. Monitor's arms are slightly expensive, so if they are out of your budget, you can consider getting a monitor stand instead.
The Final Word
The use of monitor stands and arms aims to improve the productivity of office workers and reduce the amount of strain put on employees while working. Neglecting to work at the correct height can have many health disadvantages as well as makes you more disorganized at the office due to a cluttered desk. Both types of monitor aids are great for use in an office setting and are much better than laptops or screens directly on the desk. You can browse through Flexispot and choose the type you prefer most for your workspace.
