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URGENT: I need a swing iMac arm as I am legally blind and need to sit 4inches from screen

M

Mac Write

macrumors member
Original poster
Dec 16, 2012
95
2
Vancouver British Columbia
Hello,

My mac died I had to order an a computer as an emergency. I got the top end iMac fully speced out expect for the RAM.

I am legally blind and would rather havre a tower and continue to use my 55" that I sit 4 inches away from and still can't see it.

So I need a Monitor arm that can support the iMac (I got it with VESA mouynt) which can be moved in and out (2 seconds like a human arm) so I can move it back and bring it forward.

I need to ordered it ASAP and don't want the cheap crap for $70 on Amaxzon Canada.

I have a 24" arm that was $200 CDM back in 2007, but not sure if it would support the iMac. I can't remember the name of it and it's deep in my closet.

I am going to have the arm attached to a cheap IKEA desk so the monitor hovers over the keyboard and mouse. I also need a USB > HDMI so I can use my TV most of the time and the iMac screen for color work when working on my weightloss journy Vlog (I weigh over 550lb, legally blind, I have cerebral Palsey and more disabilities.

HELP

P.S. I am on disability Assistance so Debt here I come.
 
I am using the "Amazon Basics", which seems to be the identical model as marketed for a much higher price by another vendor.

Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Premium-Single-Monitor-Stand/dp/B00MIBN16O
Amazon.ca: https://www.amazon.ca/AmazonBasics-Premium-Single-Monitor-Stand/dp/B00MIBN16O

It has carried my 32 inch Eizo in the past and now carries my 27" iMac. I just had to adjust the resistance to accommodate for the different weight.

Keep in mind that the iMac needs to be in a pretty standard upright position (I think it comes with instructions sayin -5° to +25° or so), and must not be flipped to portrait. The thermals are designed around this, so you shouldn't use it in a horizontal orientation like a paper.
 
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Thanks but I need something higher quality then Amazon basics. I need am arm that supports 30lbs (I know the iMac is 21 lbs) and can sit high at my desk (24" off the desk and sitting flush with front of desk (24" deeep).

I am looking at this arm the Ergotron but am not sure about the height and weight. for an expensive computer and me sitting so close. I require an over-engineered arm so it can stand up to me acidently hitting it etc.

for a $4,500 computer that I want to use for 7yrs $200+ for a extremely high quality well built Desk arm is worth the money.
https://www.amazon.ca/Ergotron-Desk...PAEKN4C4KSM&psc=1&refRID=GJVVRWJC1PAEKN4C4KSM
 
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That's funny...

That Ergotron you consider is the one that is identical to the Amazon Basics one I linked to and you see is not good enough. Just more expensive (well, except some parts of it are now silver - but I think that changed in the past).

It really is a good sturdy piece, don't be fooled by the branding. Officially it takes 25 lbs I think - not sure how much you can go over it.

As for the height, the bottom of the iMac 27 is at 19 cm, top at 63 cm when pulled up (and reaches desk when down. I think I could adjust it for 3 more cm if needed.
 
There is no Amazon Basics Standing Desk Arm and there warranty is 1 year while Ergotron is 10yr, Also they may look the same, but Amazon builds them with lower quality parts to under-cut the original sellers product.
 
Well, you can of course buy whatever you want. I checked a lot of reviews on the German Amazon site, and everyone was happy. Some people had both the Ergotron at hands, and the Amazon one and could not spot any difference. And from my own personal experience (I have been using it for more than three years now) I can tell you it is of good quality. It was a bit more expensive at the time I bought it, but still well worth it.

If spending more gives you peace of mind, by all means, go for it. Just don't expect to get anything different except for the color.
 
Mac Write said:
Amazon doesn't offer this version of the ergotron Standign Desk Arm
Part: 45-360-026
Click to expand...
Ah, that's a different one than the one we both had linked above; it has a taller pole, and that seems indeed unique in that regard.

It might be useful if you happen to be very tall. At my standing desk the screen is fine in the possible positions - I mean the screen goes up with the table, and it works for my body proportions. If I had longer upper arms (and the table be lower), it might not be enough. :)
 
Mac Write said:
There is no Amazon Basics Standing Desk Arm and there warranty is 1 year while Ergotron is 10yr, Also they may look the same, but Amazon builds them with lower quality parts to under-cut the original sellers product.
Click to expand...

FYI, I have bought a ton of the Amazon Basics arms for work. Every single one of them came in a box that had "Ergotron" printed on it. One remote office also has some Ergotron arms, which look identical except they are polished aluminum instead of painted/anodized black. Both brands work the same, and the adjustments are the same. Neither has hardware/fasteners that seem appreciably better/worse than the other. AFAICT, Amazon arms are Ergotron arms, and the only difference is the finish.
 
Not really sure why OP can't just google this himself and fine one rated for the weight he wants with reliability/durability beyond Amazon basics branding. Which would ultimately be completely fine for his use.
 
bpeeps said:
Not really sure why OP can't just google this himself and fine one rated for the weight he wants with reliability/durability beyond Amazon basics branding. Which would ultimately be completely fine for his use.
Click to expand...
Lol...Yeah, why bother asking for advice and opinions of others who may have made similar purchases?
 
I listend to the advice read the reviews on amazon (3 star are more honest then 5 and 1 star reviews) and found the right arm for a standing desk. Amazon isn't the only person in the world and 1 year warranty completely turned me away.

For something so critical like a $5,000CDN computer a $70 ARM with a 1yr warranty scares me and my mother.
 
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