Laptops vs. Ergonomics

I've had laptops for years, and I love the convenience of being able to tote my computer around, doing a few blog posts from the couch, penning a story from bed, or just sitting on the floor next to the fireplace for some web surfing.  But I of all people should know this isn't a great idea when it comes to ergonomics.

As Wall Street Journal article, "Is your laptop a big pain?" points out, "Laptops are inherently unergonomic -- unless you're 2 feet tall."

"Most users simply set their laptops on a desk or table. The keyboard is too high, which makes your arms reach up, your shoulders hunch and your wrists bend down. The monitor is too low, which pulls your head and neck forward and down and puts a strain on your back."

And those are just the possible problems for using a laptop at a desk.  Boy, they'd have some real cuss words for me and my habit of typing from the bed, couch, floor, etc.

Fortunately, as the article points out, "That's OK if you use your laptop occasionally, for short periods."  And I use my main computer at my desk with my ergonomically-friendly Herman Miller Aeron chair most of the time.  "But if you use one for hours at a stretch -- as do millions of college students, business travelers, telecommuters, video-gamers and growing numbers of office workers -- you're setting yourself up for muscle problems that can make your entire upper body hurt."

If you're a frequent laptop user, and you're experiencing aches and pains (which could run the gamut from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and other hand-related RSIs to headaches and back or neck pain), you may want to take a look at your choice of computer (and how you use it) and see if its a contributor to your problems. 

Comments

[Brian]

Goldtouch has moved to address some of these problems with portable versions of their standalone keyboard and laptop stand. They won't do much good for rolling around the house, but they can easily be slipped into a bag to give you an ergo fix when you're out with the laptop at a Starbucks or something.

[Ola]

I can say for sure that my issues started out when I used a laptop (without extra monitor, keyboard or mouse) for all my computer needs.

Nowadays I almost never use a laptop.

[John]

I've always said laptops are the work of the devil. When it comes to RSI. Unless they're used with a docking station, which is entirely different. They break every single rule of ergonmoics. I onlyhave to look at a laptop and I'll be in a lot of pain. I shudder to think that they are the default computer in many schools, generations of RSI sufferers in the making.

[Francois]

You should more focuse on the touchpad/trackpad which is one of the worst things for accessibility, among ergonomics.

[Steve]

This is how I cope with my anti-ergonomic laptop: For most of the day my laptop sits on a pedestal, placing the screen at a nice distance and height, and then I connect a separate keyboard. When I need to go somewhere I just undock. I get the same comfort as with a traditional computer yet retain some portability--best of both worlds. Somehow this issue doesn't get more attention. I got the idea for my set-up from www.computingcomfort.org, which seems savvy about these sorts of issues.

[cheap computers]

I can say for sure that my issues started out when I used a laptop without extra monitor, keyboard or mouse for all my computer needs.

Nowadays I almost never use a laptop.