Ergonomic Laptop Solutions

Laptop computers are wonderful and getting lighter and better all the time, but many of the design features that make them such excellent solutions for the student and mobile business person also create ergonomic health problems.

With their attached keyboard and monitors, you must compromise your arm and neck positions in order to use the keyboard and mouse. For an ergonomically acceptable workstation, detachable keyboards are a fundamental requirement.

Laptop supports, whether cushions or desk-based models, raise the laptop off your lap (they do get hot!) or your desk, bringing the monitor to a better viewing position and giving you the benefits of an adjustable, portable desk.

Laptop screens, smaller than stand alone monitors, can be prone to glare, and adjusting the screen independently of the keyboard is usually not possible. Glare filters (glare screens), attached to your screen, can filter out up to 99% of reflected light, allowing you to see your screen more clearly and prevent eyestrain.

Detachable screens are a new advancement in laptops. Although they are pricier, they allow you to completely remove the screen and place it anywhere, allowing you to create a more ergonomic arrangement. They're also great for presentations.

Do you find your laptop's touchpad or trackball hard to use? Many people opt for an external mouse, allowing full use of the hand to move the mouse and increasing comfort.

When at your office workstation, consider a docking station. You'll enjoy the comfort of full-size peripherals while retaining the portability of a laptop computer. Docking stations include connections for standard-size keyboards, monitors and mice. Simply plug the notebook into the docking station, and you're good to go!