Top 5 Favorite {Portable} Products

Here are my favorite portable, and even ergonomic, products.  Why portable, you ask?  Well, if it's good enough to have, it's good enough to have anywhere!  There's no point in loving something and not being able to have it on the road or when staying with friends or family, say for the holidays.

• Travel Sound Machine.  Whether you're struggling to focus at work or just trying to get a good night of sleep on the road, a good sound machine can be just what you need.  I personally love mine for use at home- I both sleep and work form home, so it's handy to have a lightweight, portable machine I can plug in or battery-operate anytime anywhere.  It has proven helpful for our children as well when we're traveling or they share a room.  Like I said,  our travel sound machine is lightweight, very small, has 20 sound options, and comes with easy adapters for any country we can get to.  
• Portable lumbar support.  Once you've found great back support, why not be able to transport it to whatever chair you're using?  Your car, your office chair, your chair at home, an airplane seat, you name it.  Keeping your back in shape and not angry with you is essential.  Thus, having back support literally anywhere you go is priceless for those of us with achey backs.
• iPad bundle.  iPads are awesome until you try to use them for long periods of time- they're just not that ergonomically friendly or comfortable to hold.  They really need a stand of some sort so you don't throw them out of frustration.  Why not make your incredibly portable iPad even better with ergonomically friendly and equally portable accessories such as a carrying case, a mount, and a mini keyboard.
• Wireless mice and keyboards.  Once you're used to a specific keyboard, it's nice to have the advantage of using it all the time and not having to get used to something else while traveling.  Keep your favorite mouse and/or keyboard handy (pun intended) and comfortable wherever you are without the hassle of a cord.
• Mobile stand.  A great mobile desktop you can use from any point in the classroom, conference room, or office.  Okay, okay, so maybe this isn't pocket-sized portability, but for those of us who have ever had to present things or teach from multiple classrooms, this is a fabulous resource for professional presentations and mobile work surfaces.

Portable products like wireless keyboards and travel sound machines can keep you in ergonomic style and comfort no matter where you are!

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

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.

Do you love your iPad? This new technology seems to stir a wide variety of emotion, both positive and negative. There are tremendous advantages to the bigger size of the iPad for watching movies, or reading an e-Book. But it also has some challenges for comfortable, ergonomic use, if you are not careful.  Here are a few tips for using your iPad without muscle strain and/or discomfort.

• Don’t let this little device replace your main computer. It was designed to be flexible for short periods of time, but was never intended to be used for eight hours a day, editing spreadsheets or writing documentation.
• Use an external keyboard or mouse for longer repetitive use, such as typing or mousing. If you are using your iPad for more than about an hour or if you are frequently using repetitive movements, you can very quickly strain your hand, wrists, shoulders and neck. This great Flex Bluetooth Mini Keyboard is a terrific example of how you can use your iPad for more intense typing without the pain caused by poor posture. You might also consider using an ergonomic mouse for intense editing or gaming.
• Enjoy the flexibility of positions. Use the size and flexibility to your advantage ergonomically by frequently changing your body position. Don’t try to sit at a desk and use it like a desktop computer. Instead, relieve muscle discomfort by lying down for a while, or reclining on the couch.
• Add an iPad stand for long term viewing. One of the biggest challenges for the iPad is the viewing angle for the screen. If you put it on your lap or desk top, you will strain your neck from constantly looking down.  For watching movies or any other long-term viewing, place your iPad at a better viewing angle to protect your neck and shoulders. The iPad Bundle provides a great case and stand in one; it protects your iPad and can be adjusted to a variety of positions more comfortable viewing. This bundle also comes with a mini keyboard for more ergonomic typing.

Don’t let discomfort or pain keep you from enjoying the freedom and benefits of your iPad. Add a mini keyboard for any sustained typing and an iPad stand for any long-term viewing. Or check out the iPad Bundle for the convenience of a case and stand in one, and benefit from the flexibility of position that this technology provides.

Having Your Cake & Eating It Too

You can have the great taste of real Coke but none of the calories with Coke Zero.  You can have a light frappuccino.   I mean, seriously, you can even have ballet flats that come in a little bag so you can wear them to and from your hot date, but your stylin' heels during it.  So, why can't you have the comfort of an ergonomic product with all the latests and greatest features?  You can.  And though you might feel guilty about treating yourself to a new gadget or just a better one, an ergonomic product might be just what you need.  Upgrading your handheld devices, your keyboard, and even your mouse upgrades your whole experience by adding unique usability and comfort which leads to better habits and fewer work-related injuries.  Why not compute in style and in comfort?  

Here are some fab comfortable and stylish products.

iPad Bundle: This accessory bundle for your iPad combines the cool factor of your iPad with the better ergonomics of a keyboard, stand, and posh carrying case.

iTiny Bluetooth Keyboard: Still incredibly tiny, but big enough to type more comfortably.

Evoluent Mouse: All the function of a mouse with the comfort of a handshake hold.  Definitely the most natural hold and, therefore, the most comfortable mousing experience you can have!

Ergonomic Keyboards: All the keys and functions you need minus the discomfort of a standard keyboard.  Choose one to suit your needs: left-handed, presentation, wireless, Mac, split, contoured, gaming....

Ergo Wall Desk: Looking for a compact, sleek work surface?  This smooth, all wood angled desk top is ideal for small, clean, modern spaces and can even be flattened.

Just because you need a product to be practical doesn't mean it can't be stylish too.  Why not have your cake and eat it too?