Ergonomics Made Easy Blog
Resources and solutions for people in pain that could use help with ergonomic products.
Ping blog
Tuesday June 7, 2011
Laptops and iPads are the wave of the future and a business trend we can't afford to miss out on. However, while both computers offer a variety of features, they also present an ergonomic challenge. Thus, if you currently use, or are considering either a laptop or an iPad for work, please check out the following tips for getting the most out of both.
Laptops & Business
Because the screen and keyboard are connected, laptops create a choice between good hand posture and good neck posture. But there are some ergonomic tools that can make your laptop a little more comfortable.
- Keyboard: The best position for your keyboard is an inch or two above your lap, slanted away from your body so you can relax your hand and keep your wrists straight. To achieve this with a laptop, you are best off installing a simple, keyboard tray below your desk and adding a separate ergonomic keyboard. A wireless, mini keyboardwould be a good choice, with a compact, portable design and no wires to worry about.
- Mouse: If you are primarily entering data or typing, you tend to use the quick keys instead of reaching for your mouse; find a keyboard with a built-in touchpad would serve you well. But if you are designing or arranging page elements, you will use your mouse more significantly and should consider using a separate ergonomic mouse that fits and supports your hand.
- Screen: With a laptop, your viewing options are limited; you are either looking down, or hurting your wrists while looking straight ahead. Your best option for your primary work space it to elevate your laptop screen and use a separate keyboard. Place your laptop monitor at eye level where you are most comfortable reading the screen. You may need to add a monitor shelf to achieve the necessary height.
iPads and Business
More than 500 of the over 11,000 iPad applications are in the business category imagine the impact of a presentation with the variety of features an iPad offers. From sales guys to attorneys, more and more professionals are turning to iPads to get the biggest (and smallest) bang for their buck.
The Ergonomic Implications
But it's one thing to play a game or admire a flash image and quite another to type or work from an iPad all day. The inevitable down side is that over time, extended use of an iPad can compromise the same basic ergonomics as stated above:
- Keep your monitor at eye level.
- Never bend your neck to see the screen.
- Don't cock your wrists or bend them awkwardly to reach a key.
- Dock your laptop for best ergonomics over a long period of time.
When you have to hold the iPad, unlike a laptop, it doesn't support itself close to eye level. Rather, you have to lay it down on a flat surface to type, which may or may not keep your eyes, neck, and hands in a good ergonomic position. Similarly, even while reading or skimming text, finding a comfortable position for more than a few minutes can prove challenging. Thus, using the iPad all day at work can be an ergonomic nightmare as hands start to cramp and fingers strain to find the smaller keys.
Thus, a few helpful add-ons you might benefit from are a stand, a mini keyboard, and a swivel mount. All three iPad accessories are made specifically to improve iPad usability for sustained periods of time. You can even try a bundle and save a bundle at the same time.
Laptops and iPads are great for business but bad for your body ergonomically. Thus, it's important to try an ergonomic keyboard or even an iPad ergonomic bundle to improve your experience while decreasing the strain on your eyes, neck, shoulders, hands, and wrists.
Posted in
Apple
, bundles
, ergonomic keyboards
, ergonomic mouse
, eyestrain
, iPad
, laptop
, mini keyboard
, neck pain
|
Thursday April 7, 2011
Why Go Ergo?
Since so many computer users suffer from aches and pains at work from standard-issue keyboards and mice, most of which could be alleviated with better ergonomic products. For example, ergonomic keyboards offer a variety of styles to fit just about any needs you might have. The main feature of any ergo keyboard is improving function- from flexibility in set-up to large font to miniature to wireless to slim-line, ergonomic keyboards help any user better position their equipment and their own posture for less strain and fewer injuries. Just by minimizing your movements by using the right keyboard, you decrease your chance of repetitive stress injuries greatly.
How to Go Ergo with a Mac
So having an ergonomic keyboard is all the rage these days, and no wonder since they provide such style and comfort. But what if you're a mac user? Do you feel like your options are limited, even if you do want to upgrade and go ergonomic? Fortunately there are plenty of
mac keyboards out there, including ergonomic ones.
Case in point: the free style solo mac keyboard. It's a great keyboard for typists who need or even just want greater separation of the two halves of the keyboard. The keyboard can be attached, too, so you're not stuck with a separated keyboard for all time. Some additional features are as follows:
Sleek low profile: minimal height, effectively creates negative slope and reduces extension.- Narrow foot print for comfortable mousing and keying.
- Has separate and adjustable left/right keying modules.
- Low-force key switches.
- Embedded 10-key set-up.
- Familiar key layout provides for minimal adaptation time.
- Driverless hot keys for commonly used mouse actions (Cut, Copy, Paste, Page Fwd, Page Bk, Home, and Search).
- Up to eight inches of complete separation between the left and right keying modules. Ideal for positioning a 10-keypad, trackball, or touchpad in the space between each module.
- Adjusts for both shoulder width, arm and wrist angle.
- Both modules can be attached with the included Pivot Tether™ while still allowing an infinite amount of splay.
You really can have your cake and eat it too- all the style and coolness of a Mac with the sleekness and comfort of a mac keyboard.
Posted in
Apple
, ergonomic keyboards
, hand pain
, mini keyboard
, repetitive strain injury (RSI)
, Uncategorized
, wrist pain
|
Thursday November 4, 2010
What Not to Wear
Have you ever seen What Not to Wear with Stacy London and Clinton Kelly? It's a reality show in which some unsuspecting person is singled out by friends and/or family for her fashion faux pas. It may be that she is unaware of her body type and wears clothes that just don't fit. Or it may be that her wardrobe and hair style reflect her glory days in 1985. Or it may be a total lack of awareness of self and the need to dress the part for her career. Whichever problem she's having, Stacy and Clinton step in to teach her what not to wear, and more importantly, what to wear. From the top of her head to the tips of her toes, each woman is shown what works best for her specific body type, coloring, and face shape and is given a list to keep on her person when shopping. What I love about the show is that they work with what she's got- there's no pressure to lose weight or or get a face lift. Rather, they focus on her existing assets an how to best maximize them and developing better shopping habits that will last (meaning, beyond the show!).
Welcome to Ergonomics: What Not to Do
Similarly, I am here to help you make and maintain better ergonomic choices. It may be that you know better and just keep making poor ergonomic choices, or it may be total ignorance that the choices you're making at work affect you at all. Either way, it's my job to walk you through some important ergonomic principles that I hope you will take with you as you go to work today (and tomorrow).
Today's Lesson: How to Make Your iPad Ergo-Savvy
For months, everyone has been raving about iPads and how amazing they are. I agree- the technology behind an iPad makes it a must-have. In fact,
many businesses have turned to Apple's latest and greatest for presentations and even day-to-day work. However fabulous Pads truly are, there are a few ergonomic factors to consider as you enjoy your own.
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Try a mini keyboard. One of the major features of the iPad is the tiny size: great for portability, not so great for continued use. By using an appropriately tiny keyboard, you can enjoy an actual keyboard that won't put strain on your hands, wrists, or fingers. - Try a mount or stand. Just like with all other computers, it's important to raise the screen to eye level so as to avoid neck and eye strain. A swivel mount or a stand is an easy, affordable way to raise your iPad for optimal viewing, especially for extended periods of time.
- Invest in a bundle. If you care to get all the iPad features for less, try an ergonomic bundle that gets you a portable case, stand, and keyboard.
A new gadget is only as awesome as it's effective. By adding on a few bonus
accessories, you can enjoy the newest technology and ergonomic comfort at the same time.
Posted in
Apple
, eyestrain
, iPad
, mini keyboard
, Uncategorized
|
Monday October 4, 2010
iPads at Work
Many businesses have started appreciating the usefulness, savviness, and portability of iPads, even if their forerunners were somewhat of a professional no-no not too long ago. In fact, unlike iPods and iPhones (which were frequently banned from the office), iPads have been celebrated by business managers worldwide as an integral part of the work day as evidenced by the fact that more than 500 of the over 11,000 iPad applications are in the business category. From sales guys to attorneys, more and more professionals are toting iPads to and from work.
The Ergonomic Implications
When you play with an iPad for the first time in the Apple store, it' easy to get excited about the touch screen and many available features. It's easy to see why so many business men and women are downsizing their laptops and upgrading to better, more customizable features. The inevitable down side is that over time, extended use of an iPad can compromise basic ergonomics. When you have to hold the iPad, unlike a laptop, it doesn't support itself close to eye level. Rather, you have to lay it down on a flat surface to type. Similarly, even while reading or skimming text, finding a comfortable position for more than a few minutes can prove challenging. Thus, using the iPad all day at work can be an ergonomic nightmare as hands start to cramp and fingers strain to find the smaller keys.
A few helpful add-ons you might benefit from are a stand, a mini keyboard, and a swivel mount. All three iPad accessories are made specifically to improve iPad usability for sustained periods of time. You can even try a bundle and save a bundle.
Posted in
adjustability
, Apple
, ergonomic keyboards
, iPad
, mini keyboard
, Uncategorized
|
Sunday July 25, 2010
You're either an Apple guy or you're not. There's very little middle ground. Sadly, the Mac-ies have gotten the short end of the stick as far as accessories go. Fortunately, as Apple keeps producing awesome gadgets {see also Macs, iPod, iPhones, & iPads}, the accessories market has had to keep up. Finally. That said, here are our top Apple accessories.
Top Apple Accessories
No Mac/Apple user needs them all, but it's always nice to know there are options.
Posted in
Apple
, iPad
, Uncategorized
|
