To be honest, laptops have always been made for convenience rather than for ergonomics. Instead of fitting the worker to the laptop to maximize the health and wellbeing of the user, the laptop was created to fit the laptop to the environment to offer the worker the convenience of access to a unit, despite all the inconveniences of aches and pains that go with utilizing it. Using a laptop only give one two basic options. First is to place the laptop on a table where your arms have to reach up uncomfortably to reach the keyboard while you look at the screen at eye level. Second is to place the laptop onto your lap where you would have to bend your neck and hunch over to look at your screen, but at least your arms are in a more comfortable position. Either way, your back, arms, or neck will suffer.

Let me explore ways in which laptop makers have attempted to overcome this ergonomic problem by designing laptops which tried to solve either of the problems already presented. The DreamCom 10 of Germany made a bold move in designing a laptop that would allow the user to have the screen at eye level. This laptop unfolds three ways to allow for the laptop to initially create a foundation and support for the screen which can be further pulled up so that it reaches the user’s eye level. This is a nifty piece of equipment that will absolutely solve all the problems in arms, neck and back if the unit is placed on a low table. However, as a laptop that you put in your lap, it makes the task of actual “lap” top usage virtually impossible.

The Ferrari laptop made by Acer tried its best to solve the carpal tunnel syndrome problem in the wrists by modifying the laptop keyboard. This laptop is quite the looker with the Ferrari look that is reminiscent of the famous car and is thus suggestive of speed and efficiency. The new swivel mount device allows the user to use the laptop at any awkward angle and place by attaching it to the arm which makes the unit swivel into the most comfortable angle that your body intends to maintain. This is actually a very novel idea, but the very fact that you would have to assemble and disassemble the unit every time that you use it makes it a little tedious. This also defeats the purpose of the unit being immediately portable, especially when you just want to pack up and go.

Another great innovation is by O2 of UK that made waves with its Myvu Crystal accessory. This accessory is basically eyewear that the user will wear while utilizing the laptop. Instead of looking down at the screen, the Myvu Crystal glasses will display the actual laptop screen in the glasses so you only need to keep your posture and look ahead of you. This accessory is hands-free and is compatible with many laptop models. The downside is that if you were doing something that needed a lot of detail and some common productivity functions, then the goggles will pose a problem. Great piece of equipment though, when used with handheld mobiles. Just make sure you’re not doing anything else while you use it!

Related posts:

1. eReaders: the Future of Laptops? The big debate over printed books becoming obsolete thanks to...
2. Accessories for Your Portable Laptop If you are looking to purchasing your first portable laptop,...
3. Laptops vs. Netbooks: What’s the Difference? In the past it was either you had a laptop...
4. What is the best way to travel with a Laptop Moving a weighty laptop could be fairly uncomfortable, and the...
5. The Disadvantages of Portable Laptops Generally, when you hear of the phrase “portable Laptops,” most...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Recently

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.