1. The Clofficet

    Clofficet definition

    On January 21st, I began working with the splendid folks at JESS3 as a full-time Designer. As such, I’d begin working from home. I had previously reserved space in our basement to be an office, were I to ever work from home. As time went on, I realized I would not be getting a new job. My wife approached me and asked if she could turn it into a sewing room (yes, my 24-year-old wife is turning 80). I had come to terms with being where I was for a job, so I bequeathed her the room. Not a month later, I got the call from JESS3. Being the kind husband I am, I took it upon myself to turn the hall closet into an office; a “clofficet.”

    In an effort to save space on the desk, I began an effort to wall-mount my 24” iMac (iMac7,1). Apple offers a VESA-mount adapter kit for iMacs and Cinema Displays, which makes the transition fairly easy… but the instructions aren’t very detailed, and many of my Twitter followers asked for explanation on how to do it.

    The first hurdle once you get the VESA mount adapter kit, is to use the supplied thick plastic card to “de-spring” the catch that holds the stand in. I missed a photo op for this. You must leave the iMac standing and tilt the screen as far forward (or down) as you can. Then, take the card and place it in the slot between the stand’s top and the iMac. I found that it took great force, but really required a 45° angle to get it. Don’t worry, depressing the spring will not make your iMac fall to the ground. (Though I recommend placing a pillow beneath the screen for the entire process.)

    Now that the stand is loose, lay the iMac face-down on the pillow. Begin un-screwing the stand from the connector using the supplied Allen wrench.

    Once disconnected, you’ll be left with a bare connector:

    Now, place the adapter onto the connector and screw it in.

    Then, place the VESA-adapter onto the connector and attach screws.

    Then, place your VESA mount onto the iMac and attach with screws. I bought the Adjustable Tilting/Swiveling Wall Mount Bracket for LCD Plasma Corner Friendly (Max 80Lbs, 24~37inch). It does the job and weighs in at a thrifty $27.86 USD.

    Mount your arm/wall-plate onto your wall and make it ready for the iMac. (Make sure you attach the mount to a stud.)

    Then, attach the iMac to the mount and you’re good to go.

    I, with the help of my father-in-law, custom fitted a desk to the existing shelving supports in the closet. While the desk was staining, I used a TV-dinner-tray to hold the keyboard, mouse, and two hard drives as I wiped my iMac to give it a fresh start.

    Stained desk in place. Next up was to populate the desk with items I’d be using frequently. I’ve always used two monitors when working, in this small space, I cannot fit another monitor in. In lieu of this, I’ve recycled the iMac stand for an iPad stand, by adding a strip of velcro the iPad and the stand. I’m still going to add some more lighting to the back of the iMac (LED strips) and I’m going to finish with a shelf above the computer to house files and other equipment. Overall, I’m pleased with it.