Recommend a good home-office chair for a laptop user.
November 5, 2004 10:48 AM Subscribe
I need a better chair for my home workspace. Because my computer is a laptop I will never be able to achieve the ergonomically proper practices suggested in the diagrams here or here
(the way the keyboard is positioned here is absurd. but negative tilt is impossible with a laptop.)
To make matters worse: I love the touchpad mouse and the keyboard on the laptop to the point where I am unable to work efficiently with any other setup. However, while I can work well it costs me physically: my neck, shoulders, upper and lower back, and even thighs ache after short sessions of working.
I'm wondering, has anyone used a kneeling chair with a laptop? The other problem is that the computer is old and I can't go wireless because it eats batteries.
(the way the keyboard is positioned here is absurd. but negative tilt is impossible with a laptop.)
To make matters worse: I love the touchpad mouse and the keyboard on the laptop to the point where I am unable to work efficiently with any other setup. However, while I can work well it costs me physically: my neck, shoulders, upper and lower back, and even thighs ache after short sessions of working.
I'm wondering, has anyone used a kneeling chair with a laptop? The other problem is that the computer is old and I can't go wireless because it eats batteries.
Can't you just plug in a real keyboard and monitor to your laptop and set up a good ergonomic space?
That's what I would do. I've tried the kneeling chair, great concept but does not work day after day.
posted by jeremias at 12:05 PM on November 5, 2004
That's what I would do. I've tried the kneeling chair, great concept but does not work day after day.
posted by jeremias at 12:05 PM on November 5, 2004
Or put the laptop on a stack of books to bring its monitor to a decent level, and plug in a real keyboard and pointing device.
If you're already in pain from your use of your laptop, YOU MUST CHANGE THINGS OR IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE. </former RSI cripple ranting>
posted by Zed_Lopez at 12:29 PM on November 5, 2004
If you're already in pain from your use of your laptop, YOU MUST CHANGE THINGS OR IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE. </former RSI cripple ranting>
posted by Zed_Lopez at 12:29 PM on November 5, 2004
Response by poster: Zed_Lopez: my biggest problem at this point is my posture. A few years of the same bad habits and I can no longer make my spine straight. I hunch whether I'm working at the computer, reading a book, or walking down the street. If I can fix my posture I think many of my muscle aches will go away.
posted by Grod at 12:42 PM on November 5, 2004
posted by Grod at 12:42 PM on November 5, 2004
I have just addressed this, after hunching over my 12" iBook for the past three years. I wound up getting a new desk with a wide keyboard tray, and an external keyboard; and I've just ordered a Griffin iCurve laptop stand to raise the lappy of the desk (other benefits - airflow, more desk real estate available). It all costs money, but so did my chiropractor.
Re. not wanting to ditch the trackpad - I had similar issues, it took about a week to adjust to the external keyboard. It wasn't so bad.
Re. angles - I think you'll find that different folks recommend different angles; where I work, everything is supposed to be at 90 degrees, and the monitor at eyelevel.
posted by carter at 12:44 PM on November 5, 2004
Re. not wanting to ditch the trackpad - I had similar issues, it took about a week to adjust to the external keyboard. It wasn't so bad.
Re. angles - I think you'll find that different folks recommend different angles; where I work, everything is supposed to be at 90 degrees, and the monitor at eyelevel.
posted by carter at 12:44 PM on November 5, 2004
What carter said.
You *need* a chair that is at least three-way adjustable. Height, locking back angle, and seat pitch. Then you need a keyboard at waist level, and the monitor to be at eye level.
You can find keyboards that have a touchpad device like a laptop's built into them -- go check out your local Fry's.
posted by SpecialK at 12:59 PM on November 5, 2004
You *need* a chair that is at least three-way adjustable. Height, locking back angle, and seat pitch. Then you need a keyboard at waist level, and the monitor to be at eye level.
You can find keyboards that have a touchpad device like a laptop's built into them -- go check out your local Fry's.
posted by SpecialK at 12:59 PM on November 5, 2004
Real ergonomics depend on your own mind and body to decide what is most comfortable for *you*.
Personally, I find the most comfortable position to be what is afforded by a circa 1960's office chair and circa 1970's steelcase desk. I only use a trackball and IBM Model M as input devices. YM*W*V.
posted by shepd at 1:10 PM on November 5, 2004
Personally, I find the most comfortable position to be what is afforded by a circa 1960's office chair and circa 1970's steelcase desk. I only use a trackball and IBM Model M as input devices. YM*W*V.
posted by shepd at 1:10 PM on November 5, 2004
If you want a laptop-like keyboard and trackpad, get this baby from IBM. It's a thing of beauty. They also have a smaller version.
I also agree that putting the screen up higher is a good idea. Putting the laptop a stand like a decent metal copy holder will not only raise the screen but also let you sit closer to the screen if you want to (putting a keyboard in front of a laptop means you're pretty far away). There are probably also adjustable ones out there, like the one that looks absurd in the original post. Dell sells a stand for some of their laptops, but it's totally overkill.
posted by zsazsa at 2:22 PM on November 5, 2004
I also agree that putting the screen up higher is a good idea. Putting the laptop a stand like a decent metal copy holder will not only raise the screen but also let you sit closer to the screen if you want to (putting a keyboard in front of a laptop means you're pretty far away). There are probably also adjustable ones out there, like the one that looks absurd in the original post. Dell sells a stand for some of their laptops, but it's totally overkill.
posted by zsazsa at 2:22 PM on November 5, 2004
Oh, oh, oh, oh! I have dealt with this problem. I am typing on a Toshiba Satellite, which is my main computer, right this very second, and I have had some serious back and hip problems in the past which required some major attention to ergonomics.
First of all, get a slanty stand for your laptop, one which brings the screen up to eye-level while leaving the keyboard low enough to type on without reaching up. (It's also good for your laptop, because it dissipates heat more effectively!)
Second, get a good chair. I have a Hag Credo that I got on eBay for cheap. It's the best.
Third, get an ergonomic footrest. Lather, rinse, repeat.
posted by Sidhedevil at 4:47 PM on November 5, 2004
First of all, get a slanty stand for your laptop, one which brings the screen up to eye-level while leaving the keyboard low enough to type on without reaching up. (It's also good for your laptop, because it dissipates heat more effectively!)
Second, get a good chair. I have a Hag Credo that I got on eBay for cheap. It's the best.
Third, get an ergonomic footrest. Lather, rinse, repeat.
posted by Sidhedevil at 4:47 PM on November 5, 2004
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posted by callmejay at 11:50 AM on November 5, 2004