Webby
Sat 2 Jun 2007
The laptop or notebook computer is an essential tool for the working nomad but comes with it’s own health price. Two years of poor posture and being hunched over a table has take it’s toll on my neck and shoulders.
I think many people in offices also have this issue with laptops as they are fast replacing desktop PCs. Indeed this happened in my last corporate job.
So what is the solution? I have recently purchased a seperate keyboard and now sit my laptop on a number of books to make it level with my eyes so I am not constantly looking down. This has certainly helped me as I do not get stiffness in my neck and shoulder area now.
Having said that if you are on the road you don’t want to have to carry a keyboard and books around.
So does anyone have any other advice or tips to help with growing issue? What have you done to improve your ‘laptop’ posture?
June 2nd, 2007 at 10:09 am
I’ve seen roll up keyboards for when out and about, not sure if I’d want to be typing too long on one.
One thing I do use is a laptop stand, which allows you to get the right height for your screen and ensures you’ve plenty of room on your desk.
There are some that fold down flat so you can pop them in a laptop bag.
June 2nd, 2007 at 10:44 am
I saw one of those rubber roll up keyboards once and had a little play but did n’t like it much although I guess you would get use to it.
June 2nd, 2007 at 11:27 am
If you are a gadget geek you could try out that keyboard that projects a red image of a keyboard onto the surface of the desk, so you type on the “displayed” keys. I’ve never tried one, so I don’t know if they work. I think they are made by logitec or something. Of course extra batteries required.
June 3rd, 2007 at 11:29 am
Not sure about gadgets to help but there are definitely some postures to avoid that can cause pain really quickly. For example using your laptop whilst sitting/lying in bed can be a real killer for your neck/back, especially if the bed is soft.
It’s hard when you’re on the road though as hostel common rooms often close pretty early, leaving you with nowhere else to work.
June 3rd, 2007 at 11:40 am
I try to change the angle of the screen periodically, so that I hunch at different angles. Where I’m staying now, there is a table out on the porch with chairs that are too low. Sometimes I take the laptop out there to play games or work on-line, and that is a whole different posture, and gives my back a break.
June 3rd, 2007 at 11:43 am
It would be nice if the keyboard were detachable, as if the base of the laptop were a little docking station for the keyboard. It could lift out and have a pull-out cable or something like that. Then you could co all the things Webby suggested, like find something to set the computer on while keeping the keyboard at a comfortable level.
June 4th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
Just came across this article:
“Dead after eight hours on Laptop,” narrated the story of May Leong, 29, who succumbed to what was generally believed to be work-related stress. A few days before her death, she was slaving in front of her laptop, trying to cope with an impossibly heavy workload. She had been working nonstop for eight hours immediately before her death.
The cause of her death was deep vein thrombosis, a blood clot on her legs that shot to her heart.
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=bongAustero_june4_2007
June 5th, 2007 at 3:26 am
If you don’t want to hunch over your screen, just slouch!
June 5th, 2007 at 4:23 pm
Ooooh. I’m going to make apoint of getting up and walking around every hour.
July 19th, 2007 at 11:29 am
I have created a portable Laptop stand that you can foldup and carry in your backpack. I call it the NOMAD… I am trying to get it to market as we speak. Please let me know your feelings on this.
July 19th, 2007 at 11:32 am
I have created a portable Laptop stand that you can foldup and carry in your backpack. I call it the NOMAD… I am trying to get it to market as we speak. Please let me know your feelings on this. Like you I have been traveling all over the world. So I know your pain. That is why I developed it. I have been using my prototype around the US. However I have not brought it to the airport for them to see if it will go through security. Talk to ya later if you would like to talk let me know.