How I use a vertical monitor in my office

Trappe Digital LLC may earn commission from product clicks and purchases. Rest assured, opinions are mine or of the article’s author.

With larger and larger computer screens, it can now make sense to move from the typical horizontal look to using a vertical monitor. On the simplest level, a vertical monitor is really just a horizontal one turned 90 degrees. Here’s how that looks in my office:
vertical monitor setup
The biggest reason I went with this was to maintain my view outside. Using it horizontally would cut into that view, so I thought, why not give it a try? So far, it’s worked great. There are certainly some things that would be easier on a horizontal monitor, but some windows can be stacked on top in the vertical setup nicely.
With the continued emergency of vertical video – including now on LinkedIn – that monitor works well to watch those videos before uploading them as well.
viewing vertical videos on my vertical monitor

Can any monitor be vertical?

In theory, probably yes, because the way a monitor displays content gets set up in the computer’s settings. But there are some hardware things to consider:

What stand comes with it? For example, my main monitor comes with a stand that would not allow it to be positioned that way. So I use that in a horizontal setting.

Take a look at the back of the monitor and see how easy it is to hook up a stand, monitor arms, and rotate it easily. Here’s how my vertical monitor looks on the back, for example. To rotate it, I just had to take it off, move the bracket and done. It was way easier than I had anticipated.

back of monitor

Even if the stand doesn’t allow the vertical setup, consider monitor arms that do. Just ensure the back is compatible.

How to turn monitor vertical

To start, set the hardware up the way you want it. Then – if you are on a Mac – head to Displays setting. Click on the correct monitor, then Rotation farther down and change that to 90 percent.

display settings to turn monitor vertical

Easy breezy setup and I like it so far. Great view. Still two monitors. No need to compromise.

Try this one

monitor option


Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Listen to my podcast

Discover more from Christoph’s Content Corner

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Related Posts