Guide: Installation
Quick links:
- Introduction
- Safety Guide & Disclaimer
- Install quick start
- Mounting the electronics
- VESA mounting
- Screen resolution tuning
- Landscape orientation
- Active cooling kit for Surface Book
- Active cooling kit for Surface Pro/Go
Introduction and Support Notes
Thank you for purchasing an ergonomic Vertical docking solution. Once installed, we hope you will enjoy the improved ergonomics of your workstation for years to come.
Need help or have questions? Please email us.
Our solutions are offered in several different packages:
- a basic option where customers use their own Microsoft OEM dock electronics and their own VESA arm to mount the Vertical dock
- an option where Microsoft OEM dock electronics are pre-installed for an additional cost
- an option that includes pre-installed Microsoft OEM dock electronics and a dual VESA arm to mount a monitor and your Vertical dock at a comfortable eye-level
- an option that uses a 3rd-party USB-C hub
Install directions differ slightly across these three packages and different VESA monitor arm models. Based on customer feedback, we are continuously improving the usability of our products and the install experience. If you encounter any difficulties, please send us a note including photos of any issue and we'll help step you through it. We offer USA-based email support but will be happy to have quick phone calls/Skype chats for folks that need a little more help. If you have no experience installing a computer monitor or laptop on a movable VESA arm, it can be challenging. If you need local assistance from an IT technician, we can refer you to a someone in your area to help.
We are a family startup business in Seattle and are familiar with the difficulty of balancing full-time office jobs, children, and hobbies. We design our products with this in mind and hope to make your life easier. We appreciate any and all feedback, so don't hesitate to reach out if you have suggestions on how we can improve.
Safety Guide and legal disclaimer
- The product may contain neodymium magnets and small metal parts which can be choking hazards and may be fatal if swallowed. Please keep unassembled product away from children & pets.
- Allow plastic parts that may have been in cold mail lockers or sitting on a doorstep to come to room temperature prior to installation. Tighten VESA monitor arm mounting screws slowly and carefully. Over-tightening, especially with cold plastic parts, can cause cracks.
- As with many plastic products, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or heat should be avoided as this will discolor and warp the plastic. This product should not, for example, be left in a hot parked vehicle. For indoor use only.
- Use care when docking and/or rotating your device in landscape/horizontal mode. Excessive force while docking or rotating could damage your device, the dock, or cause injury. For example, if you use the dock in landscape/horizontal mode with a damaged dock, your device could fall and become damaged or cause injury. If you notice damaged parts, contact us for replacement parts immediately.
- VESA monitor arms must be used per manufacturer directions. See the VESA Arm guide for additional precautions.
- In no event shall our company, Dockable LLC (dba Vertical Docks) be liable for any direct, indirect, punitive, incidental, special consequential damages, to property or life, whatsoever arising out of or connected with the use or misuse of our products.
Required tools
- Philips (+) #1 or #2 screwdriver
Required/recommended accessories
- Required: Microsoft OEM Dock electronics (brick-style dock) with included power supply and AC/Mains power cord. If you purchased a Vertical dock model with electronics, this will be pre-installed and a power cord and power supply will be included in the box. USB-C models can use a 3rd-party USB dock instead of the Microsoft OEM Dock electronics.
- Required: VESA monitor arm/mount with 100mm x 100mm mounting plate fastened securely. If you purchased a Vertical dock model with a dual VESA monitor arm/mount, it will be shipped with separate install directions. It is crucial that you pay attention to the manufacturer's directions on fastening your VESA monitor arm/mount properly to your desk for safety. The directions below assume that your VESA monitor arm/mount is already installed securely. (Some Vertical dock models can safely sit on a desktop standalone without a VESA monitor arm/mount, however this approach is not recommended for daily use.)
- Recommended: monitor, keyboard, mouse/trackball, monitor cables, and active mini-DisplayPort or USB-C monitor adapters as needed
Vertical Dock for Surface Installation Steps
Getting started (difficulty level: easy)
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2020/07/install-01.jpg?w=736)
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2020/07/install-02.jpg?w=736)
Common parts across Vertical Dock models:
- spring-loaded security latch mechanism (pre-installed on some models)
- 2 short VESA mounting bars
- fastener kit (4 M4x0.7mm 14mm screws, 4 M4x0.7mm nuts, 4 M3 6mm sheet metal screws, and plastic cable-ties)
Optional parts available separately or with customized orders:
- 2 horizontal/landscape VESA mounting bars
- Microsoft Dock electronics mounting cage
- electronics cage spacer/clip
- USB-C adapter (not included by default - this is an add-on option
- bottom cover plate
- active cooling kit
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2020/07/install-03.jpg?w=736)
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2020/07/install-04.jpg?w=736)
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2020/07/install-05.jpg?w=736)
Mounting Electronics (difficulty level: moderate)
Note: There are several options for mounting electronics depending on the model ordered. Not all steps will apply to your model.
Optional step: Attaching Bottom Cover Plate (comes with USB-C and customized orders)
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2020/07/usb-07.jpg?w=736)
1. Align the cover plate as shown and fasten with included screws. Somes models use 4 screws, others use 5 or 6. Tighten carefully so that the cover is flush with the Dock "cradle". Don't overtighten otherwise you can crack the plastic or strip the screws.
Mounting Microsoft Dock electronics
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2020/07/install-06.jpg?w=736)
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2020/07/install-08.jpg?w=736)
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2020/07/install-09.jpg?w=736)
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2018/09/sp-11b.jpg?w=736)
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2018/08/sp-13.jpg?w=736)
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2020/07/install-11.jpg?w=736)
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2020/07/install-12.jpg?w=736)
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2020/07/install-13.jpg?w=736)
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2020/07/install-10.jpg?w=736)
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2020/07/install-14.jpg?w=736)
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2020/07/install-15.jpg?w=736)
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2020/07/install-16.jpg?w=736)
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2020/07/install-17.jpg?w=736)
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2020/07/install-18.jpg?w=736)
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2018/08/sp-14.jpg?w=736)
10. Lay the main dock body and the electronics on a flat surface. Align the screw holes and then use the provided screws. If using USB-C, ensure the cover plate is in place between the cage and main dock cradle. Tighten all screws evenly until you get some resistance. Some models require 4 screws, some 5. Your cage may have extra holes for different Vertical Dock models.
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2020/07/install-19.jpg?w=736)
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2020/07/install-20.jpg?w=736)
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2018/08/sp-15.jpg?w=736)
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2018/08/sp-16.jpg?w=736)
Congratulations, you have completed assembly of the Vertical Dock! Lets build the rest of your workstation...
VESA arm mounting (difficulty level: high)
Although the Vertical Dock can be used standalone without a VESA arm, it is easy to knock over accidentally and is not something we recommend. For best performance, the Dock should be mounted to a VESA arm.
It is crucial that you follow all safety precautions included with your VESA arm/mount otherwise injury or damage to your Dock and Surface device may result! Important Notes:
- If you have an optional cooling kit, is is easier to install it prior to mounting the vertical dock on the VESA arm.
- If you will be using the horizontal/landscape mounting bars, please review the landscape notes then return here.
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/wp_20171008_17_17_38_rich.jpg?w=736)
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2020/02/nut1.jpg?w=736)
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2020/02/nut2.jpg?w=736)
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2020/02/nut3.jpg?w=736)
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2018/08/sp-17.jpg?w=736)
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2018/08/sp-18.jpg?w=736)
Pause
- Are you using the landscape mounting bars? If so, double check whether your VESA arm has a rotation capability. Some rotate 90°, some rotate 360°, and some don't rotate at all. For mounts that rotate 90°, you need to determine whether the rotation is clock-wise or counter-clock-wise. Ensure that when you rotate from Vertical to Horizontal, the mounting bars support the bottom of the tablet.
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2018/08/sp-19.jpg?w=736)
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2018/08/sp-20.jpg?w=736)
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2018/08/sp-21.jpg?w=736)
Note: While the provided M4x14mm screws have been tested on a variety of VESA monitor arm styles, we can't guarantee they will work for *all* VESA arms. Depending on the thickness of your manufacturer's VESA arm mounting plate, you may need longer or shorter screws. If the screws are too short, M4x16mm screws from a hardware store may work better. If the screws are too long, adding washers in between the screw head and the rear of the vertical dock will work, as will using shorter M4x12mm screws. If you are having difficuly with the screws, do contact us and we'll do our best to resolve your issue.
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2019/08/mounted.jpg?ssl=1&w=736)
Optional Steps
Landscape/Horizontal mounting (difficulty level: hard)
Some docks ship with optional landscape/horizontal mounting bars. To enable Landscape mounting, use the longer curved bars. For Surface Book models, the curved extension-clip portion of the long bars bar must point to the right. For Surface Pro and Go, the bars can point to the left or the right. Some models may have multiple locations to insert the M4 nuts depending on whether the bar points left or right.
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2020/07/sp4-landscape-cam-top-1.jpg)
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2020/07/sp4-landscape-cam-bottom-1.jpg)
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2019/08/adjuster.jpg?ssl=1&w=736)
- Some models may include foam pads adhered to the bars to provide better grip and prevent the Vertical Dock plastic parts from rubbing against the Surface. These pads may compress over time so some adjustment may be required after initial installation to ensure a consistent connection with the dock electronics. Return to the
- to complete your installation
Screen resolution tuning (difficulty level: high)
The custom screen resolution guide will help to match the size of Windows UI and applications on your Surface screen to the size on your desktop monitors.
Active cooling kit (difficulty level: medium)
Surface Book Notes
- The Surface Book may be docked in two positions: a) Closed where the tablet touches the keyboard base (best for pen/touch use) or b) ajar by about 1cm to provide better airflow and cooling.
- Because the MS OEM docking electronics supply power to the USB ports at all times, we recommend switching the fan off manually when undocking. Also when docking and undocking, the fan may pause for 2-3 seconds while the dock electronics initialize.
![WP_20181024_16_15_56_Rich](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2018/10/wp_20181024_16_15_56_rich.jpg)
- 75x15mm 5v 6cfm blower fan
- USB cable/toggle switch (newer kits include a USB fan speed controller and a USB right-angle adapter instead)
- 3D-printed fan carrier
- 20mm M4 screw and nut
![WP_20181024_16_17_08_Rich](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2018/10/wp_20181024_16_17_08_rich.jpg)
If you unscrew too far, a nut inside the dock may dislodge requiring an extra installation step.
![WP_20181024_16_19_06_Rich](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2018/10/wp_20181024_16_19_06_rich.jpg)
![WP_20181024_16_20_39_Rich](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2018/10/wp_20181024_16_20_39_rich.jpg)
![WP_20181024_16_21_16_Rich](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2018/10/wp_20181024_16_21_16_rich.jpg)
![WP_20181024_16_22_35_Rich](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2018/10/wp_20181024_16_22_35_rich.jpg)
Surface Pro notes
Included in the kit:
- 75x15mm 5v 6cfm blower fan
- USB fan speed controller and a right-angle USB adapter
- 3D-printed fan carrier
- M4x20 screw with nuts will be pre-installed
Installation steps:
- Remove Vertical Dock from VESA mount
- Tilt dock upside down so that the security hinge points down, and turn the dock so that you are viewing the rear shiny side. Then loosen one M4 screw on the right as pictured
- Position the cooling kit assembly to line up with the screw hole as pictured.
- Replace and tighten screw. If the screw does not thread in, an internal nut may have dislodged. Just tap the area with the problem screw with the screwdriver a few times while holding the Vertical dock upside down. This will allow the internal nut to move back to the right place. Continue tightening the screw in this inverted orientation making sure that the main backplate is aligned flush with the dock's "cradle".
Fan speed controller note:
![](https://dancharblog.files.wordpress.com/2022/12/speed-controller-50.jpeg)
- Plug the fan into the speed controller, then the speed controller into the right-angle adapter, then the right-angle adapter into your Dock electronics as pictured. The edge of the fan speed controller may touch the fan which is OK as this provides added stability to the assembly.
- Power up the MS Dock electronics and test for airflow. For Surface Book models, air should rush out of the middle of the Vertical Dock cradle to provide cool air in between the Tablet and keyboard base portions of the Surface Book. For Surface Pro/GO models, air shoudl rush in between the tablet and the main vertical dock back-plate.
- The fan speed controller has a dial/switch combo to turn on the fan and adjust the speed. Make sure to adjust the fan speed slowly. Adjusting it abrubptly may result in increased fan noise.
- The controller has quite a bit of speed range. Only the lower ~67% of the range is applicable to the fan included in the kit. If you adjust beyond ~67% then the fan noise may increase without increased airflow.