Laptops Are A Pain In The Neck... And Back... And Shoulders
from the not-so-good-for-you dept
With more and more people ditching desktop computers for laptops, people are beginning to realize the ergonomic disaster of laptop computers. It's not just the damage done lugging them around (though, that does contribute to it), but there's almost no good ergonomic way to use a laptop computer, because the keyboard is too close to the screen, meaning you're doing damage to some part of your body, no matter how you set up. That means that people in their twenties are having skeletal problems that used to only show up with those in their fifties -- which is a pretty serious problem for many. Some laptop makers (and accessory makers) are finally looking at ways to address the problem, but in the mean time, many of us are stuck hunched over our laptops, waiting for our backs to give out.
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
The Solution is simple
Nah, that's not practical for everything, but the majority of computer use would benefit from tablet computing!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
What if computers cause autism?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: What if computers cause autism?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
External input devices
Wireless keyboards and external trackballs can help, but that's just another umpteen ounces of stuff to drag around.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
OH COME ON!!
NOW that we have nice light laptops that we can easily move to ANY POSITION WE LIKE...it's STILL not good enough somehow.
The article itself is just a FUD piece from;
-Tom Albin of Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, a national think tank
-ergonomics guru Tamara James
-researcher Carolyn Sommerich of the Institute of Ergonomics
-chiropractor David Schwartz
-James, the Duke University ergonomist
...I mean, you can cut the quackery with a knife. (ergonomics GURU?!? ergonomist?!!...please...I guess the 'scientician' classes were full)
Gee, could it be that an easily moveable laptop/tablet would COMPLETELY ELIMINATE all this hypochondria about 'ergonomics' and these goofballs would have to get a real job??
Guess what...if you're hunched over a laptop...SIT UP STRAIGHT!! THE FREAKN SCREEN TILTS BACK!!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: OH COME ON!!
The whole point of a laptop is that you can use it anywhere and everywhere. If you find your wrist or back is sore...MOVE...
I love to surf in bed before going to sleep when between novels...laptop propped on my chest, mouse to my side. I play videogames with my wife, usually lying on the floor comfy with pillows to prop myself up a bit (she prefers couch with it on her lap).
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: OH COME ON!!
I would NEVER go back to a desktop (except @ work) again !
At home its wireless, movable & I can sit anywhere I want in any position I want.
The people in that article are quacks.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
ummm...ever heard of a docking station?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Do not become Self Expert. Instead Consult One
[ link to this | view in chronology ]