If you find yourself hunching over your desk because of your laptop and experiencing discomfort in your neck, shoulders, and back due to its small screen, you might be considering investing in an external monitor. Unlike a laptop, an external monitor offers a larger display that can be positioned at a more comfortable height, alleviating strain on your body. Alternatively, a laptop stand presents a more budget-friendly solution to address these ergonomic issues.

Should you invest in the external monitor or make do with a laptop stand? 

To benefit your posture, opt for an external monitor if you want to make use of an extra screen to improve productivity. Otherwise, opt for a laptop stand as it is a portable and more budget-friendly option.

Of course, both tools are valuable improvements to your home office. But if you have to prioritize one, let’s explore the considerations via a clear decision-making process.

1. Do you need the extra screen real estate?

Obviously, if you need more screen space to get work done more efficiently, an external monitor would be doubly beneficial for you. You get to solve both your ergonomic and productivity problems at once.

You are most likely to benefit from the external monitor since it opens up more room for productivity. Having 2 screens by principle extends your workspace, thus increasing your productivity. With your monitor as a second screen, you can find ways to utilize it well and work more efficiently.

I like to use one of my screens for research and displaying essential apps, while I work on a main task on the other screen. Learning how to use two screens well can minimize your tendency to switch between windows, tabs, and applications.

Alternatively, if you aren’t convinced of the productivity benefits, you can save money on the monitor. To raise your screen’s height, get a laptop stand instead – but ensure you pair your laptop with an external keyboard (so you can comfortably type when your laptop is elevated). Like the monitor, the external keyboard would take up space and cost money as well. 

2. Can you achieve an ergonomic dual-screen desk setup?

If you are getting a monitor, ensure your desk has enough room to hold TWO screens. 

Even if you are just getting a laptop stand, make sure your desk has enough space for an external keyboard, a mouse, and other desk essentials. 

Basically, ask yourself: Can you achieve an ergonomic dual-screen setup with your desk? Does your desk have enough space for all your items without getting cramped? 

The safe bet is a dual-monitor desk that is at least 45 inches (W) x 30 inches (D). Measure your desk and whether it can hold all your equipment without your screen(s) hanging off the edge.

If you’re considering investing in an external monitor, you might also want to think about elevating your laptop with a stand. Whether or not you choose to do this depends on personal preference and the space you have available. Here’s why:

• Elevating your laptop to match the height of your monitor screen can minimize strain on your neck and shoulders. With both screens at the same level, you won’t need to constantly adjust your posture to view them, reducing the risk of discomfort.
• Additionally, aligning the height of your laptop with your monitor ensures that your dual-screen setup looks neat and cohesive. Misaligned screens can be distracting and may not provide the seamless workflow you desire.

If you prefer investing in *both* your external monitor and laptop stand for an ergonomic setup (plus an external keyboard), ensure you have enough desk space and budget for all these devices.

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3. Reposition your desk and chair for better comfort and ergonomics

Even if you set up dual screens perfectly, you would still experience strain if the rest of your desk setup is bad. So, if you have a bad chair or desk, you should fix it first and foremost by setting up your desk space ergonomically. 

You may even resolve your specific ergonomic issues without investing in a laptop stand or monitor, if you first explore one of these solutions:

• Decrease the height of your chair if it is too high
• Switch to a new desk with a taller height

Align the top of your laptop screen at eye level or just below it. This will reduce the angle at which you look downwards at your laptop and prevent neck, shoulder, and back strain.

Some people may prefer a new desk if their current desk is too low and small, wobbly, or in other ways inefficient.

If you are using a random chair that is not designed for long hours of working, switch to an adjustable office chair.

Ultimately, if your desk or chair is killing you in the first place, upgrade it before anything else. If I have a bad overall setup, I would upgrade my chair first and foremost to a budget option like the IKEA Markus or related varieties. Next, I will ensure my desk provides enough space for desk essentials and legroom. After trying out a budget ergonomic chair for a while, I would then upgrade it to a higher-end office chair that is much more expensive.

4. Do you want the benefits of portability?

Laptop stands are way more portable than monitors. Some laptop stands are designed with portability in mind, so that you can chug them into your bag along with your laptop. 

On the contrary, unless you are using a portable monitor, your monitor likely wouldn’t even fit your bag.

An adjustable laptop stand is a smart investment that can last a long while. In most cases, it will not cost you more than $50 – probably even less than that. 

Do not neglect portability if you plan to lead a mobile lifestyle of remote work and location independence over the long haul; a laptop stand should be part of your toolkit.

If I had to pick one to tackle the discomfort in my neck and shoulders, due to the portability benefits, I would opt for the laptop stand. A laptop stand enables me to work from multiple places with enhanced comfort, so it is incredibly useful.

Side note: It is useful to consider work-functionality in different scenarios from the very beginning, at the point of purchasing any technology or tool for your home office. For instance, can a laptop stand or monitor be useful when you work remotely or on the road? Which is better and helps you combine portability with ergonomics?

Summary

In summary, getting an external monitor is worthwhile for tackling your postural issues, if you can 1) benefit from the extra screen real estate and 2) achieve an ergonomic desk setup with it.

Otherwise, you may want to make do with using a laptop stand – it is the more portable and budget-friendly option.

Of course, both tools are valuable improvements to your home office.

Alternatively, consider upgrading your desk or chair before investing in either tool, so that you can improve comfort and productivity over the long haul.