Mobile computing
|
Mobile
computing
The ergonomic tips below will help you feel
comfortable no matter where you are using your
notebook computer -- meeting
room, car, airplane,
or hotel.
General Mobile Computing Rules
of the Road
- When using your notebook computer in your
work or home office, you may be more comfortable
using a standard keyboard and display along
with comfortable furniture.
- Use a chair that gives you good lower back
support. In a mobile computing environment,
consider propping a pillow, rolled-up towel
or other soft object against the back of your
chair. Sitting on a soft object such as a cushion
is an easy way to adjust an otherwise non-adjustable
chair such as those typically found in a kitchen
or hotel room.
- Keep your forearms, wrists and hands in a
relaxed, neutral position. This can be accomplished
by adjusting the height of either the work surface
or your chair.
- Keep your thighs parallel to the floor and
your feet flat on the floor or a footrest. In
a mobile computing environment, consider placing
your feet on a book, briefcase or other solid
object.
- Keep your head in a comfortable position.
A 15-degree downward viewing angle is optimal.
- Maintain a comfortable viewing distance. 20
to 30 inches is optimal.
- Position your display so as to avoid glare
or reflections from overhead lighting, outside
sources of light, or even reflections off of
your own shirt. Consider closing blinds, turning
off some overhead lights and/or orienting the
display perpendicular to the light source.
- Keep your display screen clean and set the
contrast and brightness to levels that allow
you to see the screen clearly. Remember that
LCD displays are not as bright as standard displays.
- Frequent short work/rest breaks are especially
important in a mobile computing environment.
In addition, it is especially important to listen
to your body and take a work/rest break when
the first signs and symptoms of discomfort arise.
You may also want to try some basic stretching
exercises.
Some additional tips for specific mobile computing
environments:
- Meeting
Room
- If there is a table available, adjust
your chair height so that your elbow is
slightly higher than the table top. You
can always put your feet on any available
solid object.
- If a table is not available, use your
briefcase or similar thin object as a flat
surface to rest your notebook computer on
while typing.
- Car
- If you absolutely must use a notebook
computer in a car, pull to the roadside
and move to the passenger seat. Consider
using your briefcase or similar object as
a flat surface to type on.
- Never operate your notebook computer
while trying to drive.
- Airplane
- If you need to use your notebook computer
on an airplane, try to choose a bulkhead
seat or, as a second choice, an exit row.
Bulkhead seats are not limited by a seatback
reclined in front of you. Exit rows provide
more seat-to-seat spacing and will allow
you to keep your arms to a more neutral
position.
- Hotel
While most hotel desks and chairs may not provide
the optimal mobile computing environment, you
can make yourself more comfortable:
- Use a rolled-up bath towel or pillow to
support the lumbar (lower) region of your
back.
- Use a bath towel or pillow as a padded
seat cushion.
- While it is not advisable to use your
notebook computer in bed, if you need to
do so, pay close attention to your posture
and ensure that the lumbar region of your
back is properly supported. In addition,
try to sit up straight so as to avoid neck,
shoulder and back discomfort. Use pillows
to support your lower back and head.
In addition, don't forget our general mobile
computing Rules-of-the-Road.
ThinkPads may weigh between approximately 4
to 8 pounds depending on the model. When traveling,
prolonged holding or carrying that weight has
a direct effect on your posture. Remember to:
- Shift the notebook computer between hands/shoulders
frequently to provide mini-rests to each side
of your body.
- When you need to carry baggage, try to balance
the load on both sides of you body.
|
