Using proper laptop ergonomics decreases fatigue and increases productivity. After all, it’s hard to do your best work when you’re dealing with neck and back pain! Read on to learn how to use your laptop for maximum comfort and productivity.
Are laptops ergonomically safe?
First, what is ergonomics?
To understand some of the ergonomic problems with laptops, it’s important to first understand what ergonomics is.
Workplace ergonomics is the science of fitting work conditions and job demands to the capabilities of the working population.
When job demands are outside the capabilities of the people doing the job, they are at increased risk of developing a musculoskeletal disorder. The primary risk factors related to ergonomics are high force requirements, awkward postures, and high task repetition/exposure duration.
And this brings us to the problem with laptops.
The problem with laptops: ergonomics
The design of a laptop (with the screen attached to the keyboard) forces users into a trade-off between poor neck/head posture and poor hand/wrist posture.
When the screen is at the right height to maintain good neck/head posture, the keyboard is too high which forces the user into bad hand/wrist posture.
When the keyboard is at the right height to maintain good hand/wrist posture, the screen is too low which forces the user into bad neck/head posture.
According to the Cornell University Ergonomics Web, “In the early days of personal computing desktop devices integrated the screen and keyboard into a single unit, and this resulted in widespread complaints of musculoskeletal discomfort. By the late 1970’s a number of ergonomics design guidelines were written and all called for the separation of screen and keyboard. The reason is simple – with a fixed design, if the keyboard is in an optimal position for the user, the screen isn’t and if the screen is optimal the keyboard isn’t. Consequently, laptops are excluded from current ergonomic design requirements because none of the designs satisfy this basic need.”
Since laptops aren’t going away anytime soon, it’s important we learn how to minimize risk of musculoskeletal discomfort when we use them.
Ergonomics tips for laptop users
Ergonomic guidelines for laptop use are typically separated into occasional users and frequent users.
Laptop ergonomics tips for frequent use
- We highly recommend using external devices if you’re going to use your laptop as your primary device. Using an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse will allow you to set up a workstation that meets ergonomic design guidelines for computer use.
Laptop ergonomics tips for occasional use
- Use a chair that supports a comfortable upright or slightly reclined position
- Position your laptop for the most neutral wrist posture you can achieve. If you have a large binder handy, place the wider edge at your knees so it creates an angle that keeps your wrist straight and maximizes the height of the screen.
- Angle the laptop screen back so you can see it with the least amount of neck deviation as possible
- Stand up, stretch, and move. Your body is designed to move, not to remain in a static posture for long periods of time.
Designing an ergonomic workstation
Check out the following resources for designing an ergonomic office workstation:
