I find that when I stand in front of a laptop, either the keys are too high or the screen is too low, and I bend my back a lot. Of course the proportions are the same when sitting, but in a chair, my lower back is supported so it's not so bad. But when I stand, my posture is awful. How do you deal with this?
British workplace safety rules essentially prevent use of laptops for any sustained use. (These rules apply to employees working from home, adhering to them is a barrier to allowing working from home.)
"when using a laptop without additional equipment (laptop stand, full sized keyboard and mouse), it is advisable that its use is restricted to spells of 30-40 minutes with significant task breaks between
"A laptop should not be used where a standard DSE [Display Screen Equipment] workstation set up can be reasonably provided" [1]
If you can't buy a monitor you could get a laptop stand ("Bräda") from Ikea, to improve the angle of the display [2]. Or make one.
I don't know of any alternative to a separate keyboard and mouse.
[1] http://www.bradford.gov.uk/hands/documents/New%20Ways%20of%2...
[2] http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/categories/departments/wor...
I have a Thinkpad T520 and can bend the display back all the way (~180 degrees), so that takes care of this problem. Also maybe consider a pair of running shoes for inside only? They help maintaining a good posture and standing might be more comfortable for you.
Re:Dead Men Write No Code
by gavanwoolery on Sunday February 07, 2016 @03:36AM
(#11052193)
Get an extra mouse and keyboard. Even a cheap $15 mouse/keyboard are often more comfortable to use than a laptop trackpad and built-in keyboard (IMO at least)
Laptops are terrible ergonomically in all positions. Turn it into a desktop setting by adding either a separate screen or separate mouse/keyboard.
IKEA has a $10 living room table that is available worldwide (I believe it is part of the Malm series). It is about 45cm high, which is exactly the distance between a desk and a standing desk.
That must be LACK.
Re:Dead Men Write No Code
by gavanwoolery on Sunday February 07, 2016 @03:35AM
(#11052188)
Some other solutions: use shoe boxes, coke cans, thick books, etc to prop up your monitor and keyboard. Alternatively, you can get a chair that encourages movement and circulation. At minimum, with no desk/chair changes, get up and walk around every 45 minutes (many apps will give you a timer for this purpose)
Use your ironing board, mine does the job. It goes barely high enough, I put an additional book under the Notebook and now it's the right hight, enough room for Notebook, Lamp and a Book and it's next to my desk so I can easily switch back to it if I want.
Actually it does such a good job, that I don't think I'll buy a standing desk now, good that I don't iron my clothes anyway ;)