Does anyone use VESA-mounted LG UltraFine 4K rotated to vertical?

[Awimoway]

I ask because LG says that is "not recommended" (see image taken from VESA section of LG 24" UltraFine 4K owner's manual). LG explains in a Q&A on their product page that the monitor was "not designed to be used in portrait mode and does not have the necessary venting to rid the excess heat that is generated by flipping it into portrait mode." On the other hand, macOS will allow me to rotate the picture, and I was hoping to use my LG this way often once I got it on a VESA mount.

Does anyone use their 24" UltraFine in portrait mode anyway? Have you had any problems? Also, are there are any reports, unrelated to using it vertically, that this monitor is prone to overheating?

 

[svanstrom]

The Mac's willingness to rotate things is completely unrelated to whatever happens to be at the other end, and in whatever rotation that happens to be; so don't think of being able to as Apple telling you that it is ok.

I don't see any obvious venting on the back of mine, but at the same time there's definitely a to the touch different temperature on the top of it.

So… Try to find some pictures of the inside of it and we'll be able to come up with some semi-decent guesses.

 

[Awimoway]

So… Try to find some pictures of the inside of it and we'll be able to come up with some semi-decent guesses.

Good idea, and thanks. I found one so far of the 4K, simply with the mounting plate removed. The photo is from a 2019 review, so I believe it is the current model number. But I'm also including three others of the 5K Ultrafine, taken in 2017 (the model number is slightly different from the current 5K on sale), because the view with the plate removed is virtually identical. It seems likely the two monitors are not much different deeper inside.

The reverse view with the circuit board exposed shows vent holes on the top that you can't see in the other photos. I can't tell if there are similar holes on the bottom of the white frame. It looks like it, but if so, I don't think they are the same size as those that are on top. Maybe for taking in cool air? The other three photos, reverse views, show vent holes far from the fan but some of them run down the right side, which at least tells me if I'm going to rotate the monitor, I should rotate it clockwise (viewing it from the front). But I am way out of my depth trying to make sense of what I see.

 

[svanstrom]

Well, they've definitely given venting a thought, or three, while designing these.

Knowing myself, if I wanted to do this, I would probably just spontaneously do it; and then spend a lot of time neurotically touching it to feel if it gets hot or not.

If I did it a bit more right I would instead disassemble it to get a good view of how the air actually flows inside of it. Finding a direction that it feels safe to rotate it in I would do so; depending on what I find I would also, carefully, add some air holes, perhaps for both air in and out.

If I really wanted to do it Right I would add some temperature sensors, and then use it both in normal and rotated position; to see what the data tells me.

Sorry for not being able to give more of a definite answer.

 

[Awimoway]

You're talking about temperature sensors that connect to the circuit board? I don't think I'm that brave to snap open the whole monitor body. I'd consider putting a wireless sensor tile or two under the mounting plate, but I don't know much that would tell me if heat is being trapped deeper inside. I also don't know if tiles would fit.

 

[Awimoway]

Well, they've definitely given venting a thought, or three, while designing these.

Knowing myself, if I wanted to do this, I would probably just spontaneously do it; and then spend a lot of time neurotically touching it to feel if it gets hot or not.

If I did it a bit more right I would instead disassemble it to get a good view of how the air actually flows inside of it. Finding a direction that it feels safe to rotate it in I would do so; depending on what I find I would also, carefully, add some air holes, perhaps for both air in and out.

If I really wanted to do it Right I would add some temperature sensors, and then use it both in normal and rotated position; to see what the data tells me.

Sorry for not being able to give more of a definite answer.

So I've VESA-mounted it. Now I'm rethinking which way would be the best to rotate it. It's all about the fan, I think. Is it drawing cold air in or venting warm air out? Can you make sense of it from the pictures?

 

[xObeyThePanda]

Any update on this OP? Have you been using it in vertical orientation without any problems?

 

[Awimoway]

Any update on this OP? Have you been using it in vertical orientation without any problems?

I've found I prefer horizontal orientation, so it hasn't been a concern.

 

[zpjet]

I use the LG 24 normally and consider rotating it (ordered an arm a minute ago). IMHO the display isn't really warm, so it should be OK.

 

[xObeyThePanda]

I use the LG 24 normally and consider rotating it (ordered an arm a minute ago). IMHO the display isn't really warm, so it should be OK.

Yeah I actually bought an ultra fine 5k in July and have been using it vertically for about 2 months now. Same here, I’ve had no issues and it doesn’t seem to be getting super hot.

 

[chvvvvotic]

I use the LG 24 normally and consider rotating it (ordered an arm a minute ago). IMHO the display isn't really warm, so it should be OK.

Heya! Did you end up using it vertically? If so, what’s the verdict?

 

[xObeyThePanda]

Heya! Did you end up using it vertically? If so, what’s the verdict?

I’ve used both a 5k ultra fine and a 24 inch 4k ultra fine vertically for over a year with no issues. And approximately 80% of the time, they’re at max brightness.

 

[coolerkid]

I also want to buy one to run vertically. Has anyone come across or heard of any issues doing this? What's the worst that could happen if it got too hot?