Monitors too low?

squiffy · 12 Jul 2007 at 22:18

Looking at buying a new desk. Now my existing desk has a shelf raised above the main part by 4.5". With the Philips ontop and using the variable height stand it's perfect (it's actually ontop of a Rotel amp, with monitor is now in the lowest position)

However if I buy a single shelf type desk I'm wondering it'll be still low, just checked and at eye level looking about 2" above the screen. That's with the monitor ontop of the Rotel, and monitor to the highest position.

Do do you find monitors are too low? :confused:

Clarkey · 12 Jul 2007 at 22:42

You must be really tall or something, my 20"ws with no adjustment sits bang on, top of screen directly at eye level.

fish99 · 12 Jul 2007 at 22:46

With my 2007WFP at max height sat on the desk with nothing under it, my eye level is about two thirds up the screen, which is fine. The bottom of the screen is just over 5 inches from the desk. One of the reasons I chose the 2007WFP is the height adjust, most monitors are several inches lower.

Clarkey · 13 Jul 2007 at 01:25

that is too high then, eye level should match the top of the screen.

setter · 13 Jul 2007 at 05:37

im lucky in this sense my chair is adjustable for height and i sit about 3 feet from my monitor (20 inch vx2025)

Dan2kx · 13 Jul 2007 at 06:03

shouldnt eye level be directly in the middle!?

squiffy · 13 Jul 2007 at 09:31

setter said:
im lucky in this sense my chair is adjustable for height and i sit about 3 feet from my monitor (20 inch vx2025)

But if you sit too low it's below the edge of the desk. You would have to raise your arms to type.

Thinking about getting Ikea Fredrick (update on the Jerker) it has two shelfs, so monitor and speakers can go on one raised shelf, with the amplifier and keyboard on the main part.

fish99 · 13 Jul 2007 at 11:15

Clarkey said:
that is too high then, eye level should match the top of the screen.

Why?

Clarkey · 13 Jul 2007 at 14:31

To prevent eye, neck and upper back problems.

fish99 · 13 Jul 2007 at 14:49

...but if the top of the screen is level with your eyes you're looking down a lot more. With my screen how it is I'm only looking down at about 10 degrees to the middle of the screen, which I find very comfortable even after many hours.

Clarkey · 13 Jul 2007 at 16:02

fish99 said:
...but if the top of the screen is level with your eyes you're looking down a lot more.

correct, this is optimal, looking up causes strain. There have been many studies into this, it is in fact official health and safety guideline and is shown on posters in most if not all computer facilities.
eg.

fish99 · 13 Jul 2007 at 17:40

Does anyone actually sit up straight like that?

I actually heard a news story about a month ago where scientists were recommending new advice about posture - that sitting straight up in a chair is actually worse for your back than slouching. The relevance to screen height would be that if your torso is leaned back at say 20 degrees then you don't need your screen as low to have the same 75 degrees angle between your eyeline and your spine as shown in that diagram.