FIX YOUR PC TO A POLE OR THE UNDERSIDE OF A DESK

Not all PC monitors or TVs have VESA mount points at their rear, but that doesn’t mean you have to park your PC on your desktop—particularly if you use a mounting bracket like the one we’ve used here.

The reason there are four types of bolts included with our bracket (plus washers and nuts), is so that you can also use it to mount your mini PC on the underside of your desk. Simply use the four wood screws (labeled H1) to screw the larger L plate into the desk, then attach the smaller L in the way we explained above when fixing it to a monitor, only this time in a horizontal, rather than vertical orientation.

Alternatively, you can attach both your computer and monitor to a pole. Floor-standing poles, such as Suptek’s Vertical Dual Monitor Mount ($47) are more common in offices, where workers use them to secure monitors and free up desk space.

Mounting both the computer and monitor on a pole saves even more space, and involves attaching the smaller L plate to a bundled lock catch. This is a curved section of metal with screw holes at either end that goes on the opposite side of your pole to the L plate itself.

It’s fixed into place using the bolts marked either G1 or G2, depending on the thickness of the pole. Once it is firmly in position, the lock catch should grip the pole and not slide down under the weight of your computer and monitor.

You can now fix the larger L plate to the back of your monitor, and use the wing nuts to fasten the two plates together, with the computer positioned between the two. Once again, the fabric strap will prevent your PC from falling out if you turn or knock the construction.