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Health Tips on Laptops
Ergonomic
Tips on How To Use A Laptop - Importance of a Laptop Computer
Stand
- Ergonomic accessories can help
you position your notebook computer effectively.
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Laptop
computers are a
much greater challenge
than a regular desk
mounted computer
monitor and keyboard
when it comes to
creating a correct
ergonomic work environment.
If you are an occasional
laptop user or some
one who only uses
it for an hour or
so a day, maintaining
an ergonomic station
will be less of
an issue. For frequent
or full time users,
however, it is important
to set your equipment
up on one of the
height adjustable
laptop computer
stands at the right
height and angle.
Correct computer
user posture also
helps avoid health
problems frequently
associated with
computer use.
Laptops or notebooks
are totally un-ergonomic
because the basic
ergonomic ability
of a computer -
the separation of
keyboard and screen
to their comfortable,
independent position
- is not present.
You cannot have
both the screen
and the keyboard
of laptops in a
totally satisfying
position, because
they are connected.
That's why it is
important to consider
purchasing ergonomic
accessories that
allow you to mount
your laptop correctly.
One very useful
solution is to use
a separate full-sized
keyboard, rather
than your laptop
keyboard, and place
it on an adjustable,
negative tilt keyboard
tray mounted
beneath your desk
surface. (Using
a separate keyboard
also elongates the
life of the more
sensitive laptop
keyboard keys).
Or you can position
your notebook on
ergonomic accessories
such as a height
and tilt adjustable
laptop computer
stand or laptop
drawer . There
are also articulating
notebook computer
arms that can
be mounted on poles,
desks, or walls
as well as small
laptop desks designed
for short-term use.
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1. Learn how to
maintain a relaxed,
neutral posture
that reduces stress
and strain to your
muscles by:
-
Schedule mini-breaks
every 20 to
30 minutes to
avoid repetition
and static postures.
-
Maintain a comfortable
viewing distance
from your notebook
computer's screen
- approximately
18" to 30".
-
Keep you head
and neck in
a relaxed, neutral
posture; avoid
excessive neck
flexion or rotation.
-
Position the
keyboard at
a relaxed elbow
height and keep
you wrists straight
while keying.
-
Experiment with
table and chair
height as well
as keyboard
angle to maintain
neutral wrist
postures.
-
If you have
to raise your
chair so that
your legs are
pulled downward,
use a footrest
to support your
feet. When seated
your hips should
be slightly
higher than
your knees.
When your legs
are weighted
downwards, there
is excessive
strain on hip,
leg, and low
back muscles.
-
Add an external
keyboard and
place it on
an adjustable
keyboard/mouse
platform.
-
Attach an external
mouse instead
of using the
small constricted
touchpad or
trackball on
your laptop.
-
Tilt the computer's
screen so that
it is perpendicular
to your line
of sight, if
lighting permits.
-
Keep glare off
the computer
screen by moving
the screen,
changing the
lighting and/or
covering the
windows.
-
If you are sitting
in a side chair
or couch, use
a pillow to
support your
arms while keying.
-
Clean the screen
regularly using
appropriate
cleaning fluid
for a laptop's
LCD screen.
Take care because
pressure or
poking may easily
damage screen
pixels.
-
Your hands and
wrists should
be kept in a
straight wrist
posture when
typing and should
not be resting
on a palm rest,
table or lap
while typing.
-
Use the wrist
rest for support
during keying
breaks and rest
the ball of
your hand, not
the underside
of your wrist,
on the wrist
pad.
-
Do not place
your notebook
directly on
your leg's lap
as the computer's
excessive heat
has been proven
to cause internal
physical harm
to people who
use it in that
manner over
time, rather
choose to place
it on one of
the many adjustable
laptop computer
stands.
2. Carrying your
notebook computer
ergonomically is
another aspect of
learning how to
use a laptop:
-
Remove unneeded
baggage from
cases holding
notebook computers.
The less weight
the better.
-
Carry laptop
computers in
a case with
padded shoulder
straps and a
handle. Frequently
shift shoulders
to balance the
load on your
muscles.
-
Use a wheeled
notebook luggage
cart that easily
transports your
laptop and laptop
accessories
(such as laptop
printer, laptop
cables, paper
and other required
items).
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