My new iMac is a pain in the neck

[midwestshooter]

I have a new iMac 24 inch computer that I use as an office computer in my business. I also have eye glasses with Progressive Lenses. That means that I have to tilt my head up to read from close images.

It would be ideal for me to have my computer screen down lower on my desk - so I can be looking down at the screen from my chair position. My new iMac has a non adjustable stand that holds the computer 3.5 inches above my desktop and there is a huge blank metal band and a white strip that keeps the viewing screen even higher. With the dock on, the bottom of my actual computer screen is 7 inches above my desk. To read items at the upper half of my screen I have to arch my neck up to focus through the bottom of my glasses. Ouch !

I see no easy way to lower the iMac - without a hacksaw....

This a dumb design

and I do not like it at all ....

 

[Expos of 1969]

I have a new iMac 24 inch computer that I use as an office computer in my business. I also have eye glasses with Progressive Lenses. That means that I have to tilt my head up to read from close images.

It would be ideal for me to have my computer screen down lower on my desk - so I can be looking down at the screen from my chair position. My new iMac has a non adjustable stand that holds the computer 3.5 inches above my desktop and there is a huge blank metal band and a white strip that keeps the viewing screen even higher. With the dock on, the bottom of my actual computer screen is 7 inches above my desk. To read items at the upper half of my screen I have to arch my neck up to focus through the bottom of my glasses. Ouch !

I see no easy way to lower the iMac - without a hacksaw....

This a dumb design View attachment 1807090 and I do not like it at all ....

The iMac height has never been adjustable other than using a low desk and books, magazines, bricks etc. Apple seems to find that unsightly home repair solution ok to go with its product rather than giving you an adjustable screen. Who knows why.

Return your iMac.

 

[Gnattu]

The iMac height has never been adjustable other than using a low desk and books, magazines, bricks etc. Apple seems to find that unsightly home repair solution ok to go with its product rather than giving you an adjustable screen. Who knows why.

Return your iMac.

Wait, that $999 monitor stand has a tweak-able height...

 

[vs40]

If you need adjustments, you should get iMac with VESA mount and hang it on VESA arm/stand or use regular monitor with Mac mini or MacBook.

Buy 24-inch iMac with Built-in VESA Mount Adapter

Get an iMac all-in-one desktop computer with M4 chip when you trade in an eligible Mac for credit. Built for Apple Intelligence. Buy now.

www.apple.com

My personal setup is MBA + 27" monitor on adjustable VESA stand.

 

[Homy]

Then why did you buy it? I mean it shouldn't come as a surprise. You could have bought a Mac Mini which has the same performance and an adjustable monitor. Apple offers different solutions for different needs.

 

[reallynotnick]

Yeah either get the VESA mount option, ditch the progressive lenses for some dedicated computer glasses or get a Mac Mini and an external display. (Though I do wish Apple would make the computer height adjustable like the G4 iMac, personally I wish it were a tad higher which is why I like my Dell Ultrasharps)

 

[09872738]

I have a new iMac 24 inch computer that I use as an office computer in my business. I also have eye glasses with Progressive Lenses. That means that I have to tilt my head up to read from close images.

iMac design questions aside, if you do work longer times in front of a computer think of getting dedicated computer glasses.
Its well worth the money spent

 

[pshufd]

Get a height-adjustable ergonomic chair and raise your seat height.

I leave leave bifocals at my computer stations. The large section is computer distance and the small part below is for reading. I don't have to tilt or adjust angle on my four screens. It's one of the main reasons I didn't get Progressives. I normally wear Tri-Focals when out and about but use specific-purpose bifocals in other common-use cases.

 

[chabig]

I see no easy way to lower the iMac - without a hacksaw....

That's not your only solution. Be creative. Get a lower desk or raise your seat.

 

[jimmirehman]

The iMac height has never been adjustable other than using a low desk and books, magazines, bricks etc. Apple seems to find that unsightly home repair solution ok to go with its product rather than giving you an adjustable screen. Who knows why.

Return your iMac.

The desk lamp imac g4 could do every angle and height in the book. The best design of the iMac ever.

 

[boemtje]

You buy an all-in-one computer without height adjustable stand and are surprised that it doesn't have... - *surprised pikachu face* - a height adjustable stand?

 

[Guy Cool]

All the naysayers/ fan boys… it doesn’t stop the iMac from, in this case, being a design that could be improved. The OP is not the first person to point out this flaw.
Yes, a mini and external monitor could solve the problem, but a better design would mean the problem didn’t existed in the first place.
If the iMac had an adjustable stand, how many people would be complaining that that was a poor design decision?

not many, I’d wager

 

[Expos of 1969]

The desk lamp imac g4 could do every angle and height in the book. The best design of the iMac ever.

I stand corrected. I was thinking of the later models.

 

[zoomp]

I have progressives lenses from Zeiss for computer work. They change the focal length to 2 meters. It makes it much easier... I will probably use a bifocal for that in the future, makes a lot more sense.

 

[Maconplasma]

I have a new iMac 24 inch computer that I use as an office computer in my business. I also have eye glasses with Progressive Lenses. That means that I have to tilt my head up to read from close images.

I see no easy way to lower the iMac - without a hacksaw....

This a dumb design View attachment 1807090 and I do not like it at all ....

I have progressives too so for you to blame the iMac design is just ridiculous beyond means. You chose progressives and that’s the caveat of them. You have to bob your head. The fault lies on your glasses not the iMac. ?

 

[laz232]

Then why did you buy it? I mean it shouldn't come as a surprise. You could have bought a Mac Mini which has the same performance and an adjustable monitor. Apple offers different solutions for different needs.

Apple offers different solutions for different needs.
FTFY:
Apple doesn't offer solutions for most people's needs - they have great marketing to make people overlook those needs.

to the OP: inconvenient, but is an ergonomically better external Monitor an option, and just put the iMac in a corner? I would cost about 200-300 USD for a good 24 inch monitor (Dell Utrasharp U series tend to be quite good price / performance / ergonomics)

 

[mlamb64150]

As stated earlier in the thread, the VESA mounted option seems to be the best solution here if you wish to keep the iMac and your progressives.

 

[Guy Cool]

Let’s not forget that the VESA mounted iMac is not widely available in 3rd party consumer stores.
This problem wouldn’t manifest itself in an Apple store where one typically doesn’t sit down in front of the demo model. One stands, presses a few keys, and chooses a pretty colour…

 

[pmiles]

Try changing your glasses... it's the progressive lenses that are your biggest problem... you're trying to move the screen to compensate for a vision problem. Computer screens are at a set distance from your eyes, which means you should be using a pair of lenses with a prescription for a set distance not variable. For some people the blue light emitted from display screens also strains their eyes over time, so getting lenses that filter that light can also be helpful.

Start with a chat with your Optometrist.

I'm old enough these days that I need correction for both near and far, however the bulk of my vision problem lies with distance. Progressive lenses are great for most use cases but are poor for others. Sitting at a computer all day for example is a poor use. So much so that I actually take them off at the computer because it is difficult to read on the computer with them. This is my solution to the problem... ignoring it. What is my reward. Eyestrain each and every day to the point that by end of work, I can't even read a damn thing with or without my glasses on.

So moral of the story is, wear the correct lenses for your specific usage... inconvenient as that may be in terms of swapping glasses. The solution is not to move the object that you can't see clearly until you can, the solution is to get a pair of glasses that allow you to see clearly at the distance you need. Right now, your progressive lenses are not the solution.

 

[Spock]

This sounds like a troll post. The iMac has had the chin for so many years now that it should not be new to anyone. Also, who doesn't look at the computer before the pay $1299 for it? Anyone with half a brain should be able to look at the iMac and see the chin.

 

[Scoob Redux]

Apple doesn't offer solutions for most people's needs - they have great marketing to make people overlook those needs.

Well said. I have read so many posts like those here where ppl make excuses, blame the user, or suggest workarounds (buy a new chair! buy a new desk! get new glasses! tilt your head!). The days of user-centered design at Apple are over.

 

[Fishrrman]

Solution 1
Sell or return the iMac you have now.
Get one with a VESA mount. This MUST BE SPECIAL-ORDERED from Apple.
Search for a VESA stand/bracket that will suit your purposes.


Solution 2
Sell or return the iMac you have now.
Get a Mac Mini instead (either the m1 version or 2018 Intel version)
Get a 3rd party display with an adjustable-height stand.

Both of the above will cost you more $$$.
Perhaps you can write this down as a business expense...

 

[Expos of 1969]

Solution 1
Sell or return the iMac you have now.
Get one with a VESA mount. This MUST BE SPECIAL-ORDERED from Apple.
Search for a VESA stand/bracket that will suit your purposes.


Solution 2
Sell or return the iMac you have now.
Get a Mac Mini instead (either the m1 version or 2018 Intel version)
Get a 3rd party display with an adjustable-height stand.

Both of the above will cost you more $$$.
Perhaps you can write this down as a business expense...

Cheaper to get new non progressive eyeglasses with a prescription for the computer distance.

 

[Zdigital2015]

The desk lamp imac g4 could do every angle and height in the book. The best design of the iMac ever.

Unless you had to pull one apart and then it was a nightmare, ask me how I know.

 

[jz0309]

return it ... iMac has always been this way ... get a Mac mini and the display you need.
Next time, do you research first