Attaching an Apple Studio Display to a Dell VESA monitor arm

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Attaching an Apple Studio Display to a Dell VESA monitor arm

I'm pretty new to the VESA mount world. I currently have a Dell monitor I'm using with my M4 MBA and I'm not happy with it. I'm thinking of buying an Apple Studio Display, and would like to, if possible, use the Dell MSA20 single monitor arm with it. I've been searching around, and it looks like, because they are both 100x100 VESA types, it should work, but I look at the mounting area on my Dell arm and the mounting area on the back of the Studio Display, and I cannot figure out how they could possibly attach. Any guidance is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Posted on Jan 11, 2026 5:06 PM

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Answer 1

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Grant Bennet-Alder

Level 10

140,753 points

Jan 11, 2026 5:44 PM in response to EddieT

To adapt an Apple Studio Display to a VESA mounting system, you need to have purchased the Apple Studio Display VESA Mount adapter when you purchased your Apple Studio Display.

Unless you can "find" a used one, the best way forward is to convert your current working Apple Studio Display into CASH (by selling it) and purchasing one that has the VESA Mount Adapter already attached.

The working stand is worth some money. It does not make sense to set it aside.

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Answer 2

EddieT Author

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29 points

Jan 11, 2026 8:49 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thank you for your reply. Yes, I understand that I have to purchase the VESA version of the Apple Studio Display. But looking at that mount, and looking at my Dell MSA20 monitor arm, I do not see how it attaches. I looked around for a YouTube video or something that might show me, but have not been able to find one.

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Answer 3

Jan 12, 2026 7:19 AM in response to EddieT

Do you have the Dell display that fits on that Dell arm?

That piece looks raised from the back of the arm. I can't help feeling like there is a piece missing or a method of clamping or slipping on that I do not understand.

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Answer 4

EddieT Author

Level 1

29 points

Jan 12, 2026 3:50 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Mystery to me, too. Probably will ditch the Dell arm. Not a great one, anyway. Waiting until the new Studio Display comes out. Supposed to come out soon. Will probably just buy it with a stand. Maybe the new Studio Display will have a better stand. Anyway, thanks.

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Answer 5

Jan 12, 2026 11:52 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

I did learn that the adapter mounted to the back of the Apple display is nearly 1/2 inch thick.

How it attaches to anything is still a mystery to me.

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