Steps and impressions of switching to a vertically-oriented dual-monitor setup

Introduction

Up until now, I've been using a dual-monitor setup for my home computer.
The main monitor is placed in front, and the secondary monitor is positioned vertically to the right.
Because the monitor could be used vertically, it was quite useful for viewing long pages and files.

However, during a conversation with a friend,Having monitors stacked vertically reduces eye strain.That was one opinion expressed.
Apparently, it's easier for the eyes to move up and down than from side to side.
While I acknowledged that this might be true, I also had other things I wanted to try, so I decided to experiment with arranging two monitors one above the other.

Things I wanted to achieve

If you're wondering what I've been wanting to try for a while,I want to sit in front of my computer in a half-asleep position.That's the point.
I wanted to be able to do things that only require mouse operation, such as watching videos or playing simple games, while maintaining a relaxed posture.
Specifically, the idea is to recline the chair all the way back and position the monitor slightly above and in front of me, where my eyes naturally fall.

In conclusion, this experiment was largely successful as planned.
There were a few minor points of dissatisfaction, which I will discuss later.

Actual method

First, I purchased a dual display stand that allows me to set up monitors one above the other.
I was able to buy it on Amazon for around 4000 yen, and I was quite satisfied with it considering the low price.
Depending on the angle at which the chair is tilted, your eye level could rise to a considerable height, so I wanted to ensure that the height was sufficient just in case.
The best-selling models were around 70cm tall, but I chose this product because it can be raised to a height of 80cm.

Once the monitor is installed, you can change its tilt angle vertically, rotate it, and move it up and down using the sleeve.
However, moving it requires loosening the metal fittings with the included wrench and then adjusting its position, so it might be a bit difficult to do alone.
It wasn't a difficult product to assemble, so the instructions were easy to follow.

Next, I bought a gaming chair that reclines.
I chose one that cost around 17,000 yen, and the cushion material was made of fabric.
I had the impression that shiny, leather-like materials would get stuffy in the summer.
It might be difficult to clean if it gets dirty, but I chose a fabric one this time.

Assembling the chair took about 30 minutes, but all the necessary tools were included.
Furthermore, the parts have numbered stickers attached, making assembly very easy.
I panicked for a moment when I couldn't find all the screws that were supposed to be included, but I was relieved when I realized they were already fitted into the screw holes.
While it requires a certain amount of space for assembly, I think it's a decent product as an entry-level gaming chair.

result

Okay, so the monitor and gaming chair are finished.
(The cables behind the monitor are a bit messy, but I'm not the type to worry about things like that.)
I immediately set up the monitor, sat in my gaming chair, and tilted the seat.
This gaming chair has a footrest, and the most comfortable way to use it is to extend it and stretch my legs, but when I do that, my feet touch the wall in front of me.

Even if I wanted to move my gaming chair back, there's an electronic piano behind it, so there's a limit to how far I can move it from the desk.
Since there was no other option, I gave up on fully extending the footrest, but I was still able to assume a posture that was pretty much what I had envisioned.

The upper monitor is positioned so that your eyes naturally fall on it when you are reclining.
On the other hand, the lower monitor is positioned as you would when using a computer in a normal posture, which resulted in the upper and lower monitors being a little far apart.

In this configuration, you have to tilt your head up to view the upper monitor in a normal posture, which slightly reduces the comfort of using a dual-monitor setup.
Even so, using it in a reclining position is quite comfortable and allows me to concentrate, so overall I feel it has been quite beneficial.

Also, although it is a secondary effect,By arranging the monitors vertically, I freed up space on my desk, making it much more usable.
I wasn't aiming for this effect this time, but it feels good to have a clean desk area.

In conclusion

This time, I purchased a stand and a chair to improve my computer setup.
Since I spend a considerable amount of time in front of my computer, I felt that even a small improvement in this environment would directly lead to an improvement in my quality of life.
In the future, if I come across anything else I'd like to try, I'd like to experiment with it.

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