20" iMac ergonomics

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Level 1

8 points

20" iMac ergonomics

We recently bought a couple of 20" iMacs for general office use. For the money these are nice computers but we have noticed that due to the design and built in base/stand they sit quite high on the desktop. There is no way to "lower" the computer (and monitor) to achieve a comfortable ergonomic viewing position. Apple told me the older model iMacs would accept a VESA mount, and could be used with an adjustable monitor arm. This would allow easy positioning of the monitor, but it is not an option with these particular machines.

I am curious if anyone else has this problem, and if so if you have come up with any solutions. Raising the chair height enough to view the monitor properly creates other problems, a shorter associate finds her feet barely on the floor and the keyboard too low. It appears one would have to completely open the computer just to remove the built in base.

iMac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.2)

Posted on Mar 3, 2006 5:13 AM

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Answer 1

Mar 3, 2006 6:36 AM in response to macmarkco

You might try setting the computer on a lower table.

iMac G5 20 (Ver. A) Mac OS X (10.3.9) 2 GB ram

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Answer 2

macmarkco Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 3, 2006 6:41 AM in response to Doc Spider

Doc, thanks for the suggestion but that is easier said than done since we have relatively substantial (and expensive!) desks in place. All are the standard height. I am thinking about cutting the standard base off, but leaving enough of it to bolt to an adjustable arm. Pretty drastic but it would solve the problem.

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Answer 3

Mar 3, 2006 7:07 AM in response to macmarkco

I vaguely recall at the time of buying mine (Nov 04) reading that the base is reomvable and a VESA arm can be fitted. No hacksaws required 🙂

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Answer 4

macmarkco Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 3, 2006 7:12 AM in response to Roger Herbert

After 45 minutes on the phone with Apple tech support in some foreign country .... I was told the slightly older iMacs did have a removeable base, but once they added the silly video camera the design changed enough that the base is now "permenant". The Intel chip iMacs also have a permenant base.

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Answer 5

Majicman

Level 1

60 points

Mar 3, 2006 3:54 PM in response to macmarkco

Um, why not just get taller chairs?

The iMacs tend to sit at perfect height on any desk I have ever sat on. 🙂

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Answer 6

macmarkco Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 3, 2006 4:00 PM in response to Majicman

Taller chairs create other problems as explained in my original post. Thanks.

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Answer 7

Mar 3, 2006 4:26 PM in response to macmarkco

I got it . . . simple solution for a simple problem . . . put phone books or a platform under the feet if that really bugs your vertically challenged associate =).

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Answer 8

Scudder

Level 1

53 points

Mar 3, 2006 4:33 PM in response to macmarkco

The Phone books are the right idea. My desk has adjustable legs and the right desk height is 28".
You can trim the legs or put something nicer than phonebooks under the base so they go together. Also if against a wall I believe you can mount it on the wall.

Those are your only options.

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Answer 9

Mar 3, 2006 4:50 PM in response to macmarkco

Are we talking about established ergonomic standards, or just the "I like my computer lower" kind? I understand that the associate is shorter, but there have to be options other than surgery - either on the Mac or the associate (ever see Gattaca - LOL!)

Proper ergonomics mean having your eye level at the top of the monitor, arms and thighs level and feet flat on the floor as described here.

I can't see how the iMac is too high to have the seat adjust so that the monitor is positioned correctly. Of course, this can lift the user's feet off the floor, but there are foot rests that will bring the floor up to the user's feet.

I am not the tallest man in the world either, so this is not a "the world fits me fine" rant. In fact, I find most integrated keyboard trays to be too low by the time I raise my seat and I end up putting the KB on the desktop instead.

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Answer 10

macmarkco Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 3, 2006 6:47 PM in response to Eric Kracinski

Thanks for all the suggestions. This iMac cannot be mounted to the wall since it does not accept a VESA mounting plate. The desk top is about 29" off the floor; lowering it by trimming the legs is not an option since it is an expensive desk. The ergonomics are based on industry standards, not just a feel good kind of thing. When seated (in a very high quality task chair) with feet flat on the floor and keyboard at the correct height, her eye level is about 6" below the top of the monitor. So far, I think the idea of a foot rest is the simplest solution.

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