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Best Arm Options For New 27" iMac

I've recently been thinking about getting a monitor arm, I'm torn between the Humanscale M2 and M8 if only because although I have a pretty vanilla 24" monitor (not an iMac) at the moment, I can envisage wanting the 27" Apple Display or perhaps 27" iMac in the future. The Cinema Display is 3.5 lbs too heavy for the recommended capacity of the M2, (how much does its removed foot weigh? an earlier post suggested the 27" iMacs foot was about 2 lbs) who can tell me how flexible these ratings are?

Further to that I was recently looking where to buy from the UK, I found this site: OfficeChairsUK which seems to have an excellent deal on the M2 (£145) and the M8 (£230) Having seen the M8 price suggested at over £300, is this too good to be true?
 
iZac said:
I've recently been thinking about getting a monitor arm, I'm torn between the Humanscale M2 and M8 if only because although I have a pretty vanilla 24" monitor (not an iMac) at the moment, I can envisage wanting the 27" Apple Display or perhaps 27" iMac in the future. The Cinema Display is 3.5 lbs too heavy for the recommended capacity of the M2, (how much does its removed foot weigh? an earlier post suggested the 27" iMacs foot was about 2 lbs) who can tell me how flexible these ratings are?
Click to expand...

The posts covering the discussion of detailed weight specs were #53 and #57.

As to how flexible the ratings are, I've heard various reports about various arms - - for example in the earlier linked review of the Ergotron LX Dual Monitor Arm, the user noted:
Even with our two Dell 24” LCDs, which went a few pounds over the maximum rated weight limit of the LX, we found the platform to be stable, sturdy and stylish.
Click to expand...
...although one thing to keep in mind, is that the gas shocks are said to lose some of their strength over time.




iZac said:
Further to that I was recently looking where to buy from the UK, I found this site: OfficeChairsUK which seems to have an excellent deal on the M2 (£145) and the M8 (£230) Having seen the M8 price suggested at over £300, is this too good to be true?
Click to expand...

I haven't dealt with HumanScale, but with my Innovative arm their was a significant discount from their MSRP to the actual price it ended up being sold to me for, by the local authorized reseller.

A couple of posters in this thread (including one in the UK) were seriously considering buying HumanScale arms, you might consider doing a search on this thread and PM'ing them for more detailed info.
 
Here is a new YouTube video (Pt.1 and Pt. 2) showing the installation of an iMac on a Monitors in Motion arm - - it's a full half hour long in two parts and shows the process from unboxing to frustrating mistakes (complete with bleeped out swearing) to the finished assembly. For those who are considering purchasing an arm or haven't set it up yet, this is the most detailed look at the entire procedure (including the dreaded removal of the original Apple stand).

We have had some discussion of Monitors in Motion products in this thread, though this particular arm is one of their non-fully articulated models for dual monitors - - the Boa II - - and actually, in this instance, the person intends to mount two (!) 27" iMacs.

monitors_in_motion.png
 
bobob said:
Here is a new YouTube video (Pt.1 and Pt. 2) showing the installation of an iMac on a Monitors in Motion arm - - it's a full half hour long in two parts and shows the process from unboxing to frustrating mistakes (complete with bleeped out swearing) to the finished assembly. For those who are considering purchasing an arm or haven't set it up yet, this is the most detailed look at the entire procedure (including the dreaded removal of the original Apple stand).

We have had some discussion of Monitors in Motion products in this thread, though this particular arm is one of their non-fully articulated models for dual monitors - - the Boa II - - and actually, in this instance, the person intends to mount two (!) 27" iMacs.

monitors_in_motion.png
Click to expand...

Great video, thanks for the detail on the stand removal, my Humanscale M8 is due any day now and I've been dreading taking the stand off after seeing a few horror stories on the net.
 
I Just read everything above

I just read the entire post and looked at most of the links and I think I am nearing armagetone.
Thanks to all. Irwin
 
My Humanscale M8 arrived today after a month or so of waiting :)
Having seen bobobs videos on taking off the stand the fitting was a breeze, had no trouble getting the arm together and installed, its amazing, a work of art :D
I'll get some better pictures tomorrow, its superb, worth the wait.

5020848697_97dafc6157_b.jpg


In such a high and odd position as I'm watching the TV to the side of it.
 
Humanscale M8

@2 Owls Could you post photos of how the Humanscale M8 turned out for you? I'm thinking of purchasing it, mounting the iMac 27 to the wall, and would like to see how your's turned out.

TIA
 
Here are a few of shots of it, its brilliant, superbly built bit of kit, has a lovely weighted feel/movement and installation was a doddle. :)

5034089262_2998482cbe_b.jpg


5034094538_ed79366c0d_b.jpg


5034098304_6e78c2034f_b.jpg
 
Thanks @2 Owls. Appreciate the photos. It's making me quite envious. :p It looks like the M8 would require a desk and can't be wall mounted. Do you know if that's correct? Unfortunately, I have zero room for a desk or any other piece of furniture to mount the arm on. I'm guessing I'll have to go with the INNOVATIVE 7500.
 
2 Owls said:
My Humanscale M8 arrived today after a month or so of waiting :)
Click to expand...

Welcome to the League of Arms, 2 Owls!

Thank-you for posting the detailed pictures of your set-up - - it gives those considering an arm a much better idea of the beauty of mounting their iMac in this manner. The M8 is certainly a splendid looking mechanical object in itself. My opinion is split on the exposed cable management style though - - it goes with the honest exposed look of the M8, but I also like the clean look of the 7500's internal cable system.


________________________________________________________________


sithkicker said:
It looks like the M8 would require a desk and can't be wall mounted. Do you know if that's correct? Unfortunately, I have zero room for a desk or any other piece of furniture to mount the arm on.
Click to expand...

The M8 webpage (click on specifications tab) notes that there are four mounting options:

Mounting options:
  • Clamp Mount
  • Bolt-Through Mount
  • Universal Slatwall Mount
  • Wall Stud Mount
Click to expand...

...however there is no further mention of this wall stud mount on their website. It's hard to believe that they wouldn't have this option, but they're certainly not emphasizing it, so it looks like it will take an e-mail to their customer service to find out the details.


________________________________________________________________


Finally, and with no further comment:

Y5GXp.jpg
 
bobob said:
Here is a new YouTube video (Pt.1 and Pt. 2) showing the installation of an iMac on a Monitors in Motion arm - - it's a full half hour long in two parts and shows the process from unboxing to frustrating mistakes (complete with bleeped out swearing) to the finished assembly. For those who are considering purchasing an arm or haven't set it up yet, this is the most detailed look at the entire procedure (including the dreaded removal of the original Apple stand).
Click to expand...

:eek:
Holy smokes! That's probably the most solid stand I've ever seen.
After conversations with several arm manufactures that couldn't fulfil my needs to mount three large screens on a single pole I finally got the right company.
Thank you very much bobob!
 
Here's a relatively low cost monitor arm - - the Loctek DLB372.

05788458000


It is specified to support 15 kg (33 lbs) so it is nominally strong enough to support the 27" iMac. It is available under the Sylvania brand name from Sears for a price of $65.99, so it's certainly one of the least expensive desk mounts suitable for the iMac. There is also a suspiciously similar model known as the Sylvania SYL-DLB371) available at Amazon for the same price, including a single moderately good review.

Here's a YouTube video of the DLB372 in action.
 
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Following on in the theme of low cost arms, here are three models from a company called OmniMount.

(Note: Calling these products "arms" is strictly speaking true, but it is important to recognize their limitations in comparison to the fully articulated radial gas shock arms discussed in much of this thread. These three arms have much simpler mechanisms and pivot in a single plane. For some users, this is all they will ever need and is a big step up in ergonomics from the standard issue iMac foot provided by Apple at low cost.)

At any rate, on to the OmniMount arms...

There are three models available - - the WS1, the WS2, and the WS3. All three are rated to support a payload of up to 30 lbs. The difference between the three models is in the number of arm segments or joints that they have. The WS1 is essentially just a "shoulder" or a pole mount, offering little difference from the stock Apple stand. The WS2 adds an upper arm, and the WS3 adds a forearm to that. Here are some pics to give a better idea of how these three models differ...

21PqKver6TL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
21vqF2RZeRL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
210zc1ZaK8L._SL500_AA300_.jpg


As to the cost of these arms, the MSRP for each model is as follows: the WS1 = $79.95, the WS2 = $99.95, and the WS3 = $129.95. They are available from various resellers on Amazon.com for about 30% less, putting the three models at $56.07, $69.99, $90.99 - - and possibly even lower prices if you shop around on the net.

Here is a detailed (and far from reassuring) YouTube review of the WS3 from a buyer specifically using it on a 27" iMac. Additionally, here is a more positive YouTube review of the WS2.

For those on an extremely low budget, the OmniMount WS3 may be a possible solution, but for most people who can already afford a 27" iMac and wish to have an arm that matches the build quality and functionality of their computer, I would suggest you read back in this thread for suggestions on much higher quality fully radial arms that may cost more, but will provide a much more satisfying arm experience.
 
Now that the bargain hunters have had their fill, it's time to return to a somewhat pricier, sleek and stylish arm to match your shiny 27" iMac...

The Novus LiftTEC series of arms have a modern diecast aluminum design that makes a natural complement to the brushed aluminum finish of the iMac.

One limitation is that they currently seem to be available only in Europe, specifically the UK and Germany - - though as European readers of this thread have pointed out, that may make up for some of the inequity of arms available to them.

The LiftTEC arm comes in three models that each come in two payload classes - - the iMac can be comfortably supported by the second of those classes which has a carrying capacity of 7-15 kg (15-33 lbs). The LiftTEC I has a reach of 397 mm (15.63 in), the LiftTEC II has a reach of 550 mm (21.65 in). The LiftTEC III has the same reach as the LiftTEC II, but features an angled forearm. All three can be mounted directly on the desk, wall mounted, or column and slatwall mounted.

Here are pics of the LiftTEC I, LiftTEC II, and the LiftTEC III:

novus-lifttec-arm-1-slatwall-halterung.jpg
LiftTEC_arm_II_thumb.jpg
LiftTEC_arm_3_wh_oben_vorschalt.jpg


Pricing info does not appear to be directly available from the Novus website, but European resellers seem to sell the three models at approximately 200€ - 230€ (~ $275 - $325 USD).

Finally, here is a YouTube video showing the LiftTEC 2 in action. Additonally, the Novus.de website contains more detailed photos of the LiftTEC arm features and two additional flash videos of an unboxing and set-up of the arm.
 
Well, well, well - - the arm market seems to be heating up at the moment - - no company has gone to this much trouble and expense to promote a new arm since the 27" iMac was launched last Fall.

Atdec has announced a February 2011 launch for their new Levitate monitor arm. The Levitate's reach is 22.44" and it supports a maximum payload of 28.6 lbs. (Do you think the manufacturer had the iMac market in mind? That payload is almost exactly the weight of the 27" iMac with the stand removed).

They're clearly aiming for the style conscious end of the market - - here's a rather fuzzy picture of the Levitate (there's far clearer ones from a multitude of angles in their website's image gallery at the bottom of the page):

Levitate-image-300x190.jpg


The design features independent springs in both the upper and lower parts of the arm for what the manufacturer claims will offer a "unique range of movement". All of the features are detailed in Altdec's very fancy Levitate-specific website www.levitatemonitorarm.com.

Retail price is projected to be $299, though some mounts appear to be optional:

The Levitate... will work with monitors up to 27 inches in size. It includes a fixed mount, which supports weights of up to 28.6 lbs, and a temporary clamp mount, supporting up to 19.8 lbs. The optional heavyweight desk clamp, which supports monitors weighing up to 28.6 lbs, will be available for an additional $59.
Click to expand...

Here's Atdec's snazzy promotional video via YouTube - - dig that dramatic score!
 
I tried the "arm" thing for a while;e and all I can say is get one that is rated for way over your iMac 27" weight as if not they do not work smoothly and can actually fail! I ended up with it attached hard to the wall:eek:
 
perma said:
We ended up ordering [a Mantis 30] for a sleek modern kitchen remodel which is going to include a 27" iMac. It was darn pricey at $700 but will look seamless with the Mac and the rest of the kitchen. If it wasn't going in such a public spot, I'd probably opt for the $99 deal on the 7500 and spend the rest on an iPad.

By the way, I don't work for them- I just found this thread, and thought if anyone could appreciate my geek-out on these arms, it would be you guys. I dug the fact that the CEO even offered to custom machine some mounting components for me to help with my install. Hope it helps someone else.

-Perma
Click to expand...

Still hoping to hear how this custom kitchen arm installation went - - if you're out there perma, let us know how it went and post some pics if you get a chance!

Meanwhile, here's a YouTube video from a person who installed a monitor arm in their kitchen with the express purpose of viewing recipes. Not the most elegant set-up, but it does show the possibilities of a non-desk installation.
 
The lowest cost arm yet!

monitor-wall-mount-vesa-6.jpg


...decidedly for the DIYer's in the crowd, this homemade arm can be constructed for almost nothing if you have some spare parts in the garage. One advantage that the maker points out is that since "most [commercially available arms] didn’t extend from the wall as far as I needed" - - he could make the arm as long as necessary (and that the materials could support).

Here are the instructions by it's creator.



While we're on the subject of bootstrapped arms here is a homemade triple monitor stand built out of standard pipe fittings with the VESA adapters made from repurposed electrical faceplates...

IMG_3331.JPG




Perhaps with that idea in mind, we might look forward to other creative handcrafted arms which might even include rudimentary articulation using rotating pipe fittings and some imaginative design.

joint10.gif




On that train of thought, consider this arm used to top-load gas trucks...

TLA_341_ISO.sflb.ashx




The final element of a commercial arm, and the one that may prove trickiest to implement in a homemade arm, is the gas shock (or spring) which enables the easy up and down motion of the monitor. Any ideas on how to jury-rig such a beast?
 
Stealthipad said:
I tried the "arm" thing for a while;e and all I can say is get one that is rated for way over your iMac 27" weight as if not they do not work smoothly and can actually fail! I ended up with it attached hard to the wall:eek:
Click to expand...

If only I could check the rating of the desk I was mounting to!

I picked up the innovative 7500 and mounted it on my desk only to find the desktop split and bend under the weight of the monitor pivoting on the arm! Should not have been surprised as it's from Ikea and probably made of balsa wood. Had to reinforce it with a plank of hardwood!
 
So many options, I really don't know where to start.

I need an arm with a horizontal reach of at least 40".

I have read most of the thread and at first the Innovative 9201-2000 was the only option.

I need an arm that mounts on the edge of a table. What are the best options for this application ?

Thanks :)
 
Marboosh said:
So many options, I really don't know where to start.

I need an arm with a horizontal reach of at least 40".

I have read most of the thread and at first the Innovative 9201-2000 was the only option.

I need an arm that mounts on the edge of a table. What are the best options for this application ?

Thanks :)
Click to expand...

I had initially hoped to have a long arm myself, but after reading considerable research on them, I decided that they just weren't suitable for a machine as heavy as the 27" iMac - - at least not as of late 2009. The person who did the majority of this research on the long arms is MacRumors forum member OldCorpse. He looked into the Innovative 9102-2000 extensively and ended up purchasing it. This post summarizes his final opinion on it, although I would suggest you read back through all of his posts in this thread for his full wisdom on the specific topic of long arms.

You will also notice that one weak spot on the long arms (and to a certain extent all arms) is the wrist joint or tilt mechanism directly behind the monitor. One advance in the past year, is that Innovative has added an "HD tilter" to it's old 7500-1500 model, now called the 7500-HD. You may consider contacting Innovative and see if that HD tilter is adaptable to the 9102-2000.

Additionally, as you will notice from recent posts in this thread, that it is important not to underestimate the degree of strain a large arm will place on your desk/table. The torque from a long arm is multiplied even further. Make sure you have a very strong desk/table, reinforce the edge you plan on mounting it, or consider using one of Innovative's heavy duty wall mounts securely fastened directly to a joist. With a long arm you may also need to consider the mass of the desk/table itself - - in this post by Yaggo, you will see that he uses a large potted plant as a counterbalance for when his arm is extended away from the desk.
 
Well that's what I was afraid of. I thought there would be an arm that would fill that void in the market by now.

Your suggestion of the 7500-HD looks good. I will try to remeasure and see if it would work for my application. The 7500 has a good reputation, am I correct ?

What's the best place I could buy the 7500-HD from, does it come in silver to match the iMac ?

Question to anyone who bought the 7500-HD, how big is the shipping box ? I don't live in the states and would have this shipped to my country Qatar.

Thanks bobob and everyone, I have learned a lot from this thread.
 
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