As wonderful as they are, notebooks have some inherent design features that make them potential ergonomic dangers. Normally, with a desktop computer, you'd position the top of your monitor around eye level, and place your keyboard at about the same level as your elbows. With laptops, however, the keyboard and the monitor are attached, so you can't adjust their positions independently - and they're very close together. The result is that you have to compromise on comfort. Placing the laptop low (in your lap or on a desk) for comfortable arm position means that you have to tilt your neck forward to view the screen; raising the screen to an acceptable level means that your hands are now reaching too high. Many laptops also feature keys that are smaller than those found on traditional keyboards - a potential cause of hand and finger pain.

Screens are typically smaller as well. The standard desktop screen is 17" while the typical laptop's is around 13", so notebook users are trying to view the same amount of information in a smaller space. (Because of differences between the LCD screens used in laptops and the CRT screens normally used on desktops, however, a viewable area of 15" on a notebook is generally comparable to that of a 17" desktop - so this isn't as bad as it first seems). Notebooks are often used in cramped spaces, leading to poor posture, and since the screen is attached to the keyboard, it's harder to adjust for glare. You can't reposition the screen slightly to eliminate glare because this also repositions the keyboard!

The laptops' use of an LCD screen is a big plus - these are considered ergonomically superior to CRTs. Unfortunately, LCDs generally look best at just one resolution. Changing this resolution distorts type and tends to make it look less legible. (This may make it more difficult for people with vision problems). And since so many laptop components are integrated, it's harder to upgrade or replace a part (you can, however, attach components externally, and these can make a huge difference). Finally, laptop bases get hot - a fact to which any shorts-wearing laptop user can attest.

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So how can you avoid these potential aches and pains? First, take more frequent breaks. When using the laptop, you're usually more cramped than you would be at your desk - so taking short breaks and changing your posture is particularly important. If the notebook's on your lap, consider switching its position occasionally; leave it on your lap for 30 minutes to promote ideal wrist posture, then switch it to a table to improve your neck's position. While the notebook's on your lap, consider using a footrest to support your feet and help raise the screen height (or raise the laptop off your lap with a pillow or cushion). And pay attention to where you sit - stools and couches may not make the best chairs!

Reducing the number of peripherals you carry will greatly reduce your bag's weight and the subsequent stress-and-strain on your shoulders. Many laptop accessories are removable (like disk drives, CD-Rom drives, etc.), so leave behind items you don't need. You'll not only decrease clutter, you'll also feel a whole lot better. And while you're carrying that reduced-weight bag, consider switching shoulders from time to time - don't leave all the burden to one shoulder. You can even buy a laptop bag with wheels, and roll your bag through the terminal or around campus, taking the weight off your shoulders entirely.

Of course, the normal rules of desktop computing still apply. Try to keep your wrists in a neutral position (not bent), sit about arm's length from the screen, keep open angles with your elbows (90 degrees or greater), and use a light touch while typing. To see more tips for using your mouse, monitor, keyboard, and lighting, visit healthycomputing.com/office/setup.

Finally, consider alternatives to the laptop. If all you're doing is retrieving email while gone, try using a wireless-enabled PDA like the Blackberry or Palm Pilot. They're just as functional, and a whole lot lighter. (With text-to-voice messaging services, you can even get away with using just a cell phone).

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If you can't change your laptop, can you add anything to make it better? You bet. Companies make a variety of laptop accessories to remedy the problems. From document holders and external keyboards to screens that detach entirely from the notebook to let you place them anywhere, there's no lack of solutions. Here's HealthyComputing.com's™ quick guide to laptop accessories and their uses:

External Keyboards allow you to more freely position your keyboard, meaning that you can independently adjust both the screen and the keys to obtain a better ergonomic position.

Document Holders keep documents positioned properly while you're working from them, helping you avoid pain and save space on your desk. Chances are that you lay documents or worksheets flat on your desk, repeatedly tilting or twisting your head when returning attention to the screen. Document holders raise papers off your desk, keeping them in the line of sight (and at the same height as) your screen. Some even attach directly to your laptop's screen; this means less head movement and increased comfort.

Laptop Stands resemble a music stand; laptops are placed on a height-adjustable platform which allows a wider variety of adjustment. In essence, it's a portable desk - meaning you're not confined to the height of whatever desks or countertops happen to be convenient. Laptop stands are great for people who have a favorite chair from which they work; it lets them bring the desk to them.

Glare Filters (also known as glare screens) help cut reflections and glare, both of which are common causes of eyestrain. Attached to your screen, they filter out up to 99% of reflected light, allowing you to see your screen more clearly. (If you work with sensitive documents, you may also want to consider a combination glare filter/privacy filter).

External Mice are often used by people who find the laptop's built-in touchpad or trackball difficult to negotiate. The bigger size of a traditional mouse lets you use your entire hand to move the mouse, distributing the motion over a wider area and leading to a more comfortable experience for many users.

Laptop Lights Since most mobile users don't have an adjustable task-light like the one at their office, getting proper lighting to reduce eyestrain can be difficult. Laptop lights attach to your notebook (using either battery power or your USB port) to provide a focused, adjustable task light. This accessory is commonly used for night-time work or on airplanes.

Ergonomic Carrying Bags are generally designed with broader shoulder straps to more evenly distribute the weight, and often have wheels to let you remove the burden from your shoulders entirely.

Detachable Screens A new advancement in laptop computing, these notebooks allow you to completely remove the screen and place it nearly anywhere. Similar to the concept of an external keyboard, they let you independently adjust the position of your keyboard and monitor, helping create a more ergonomic arranagement. They're also a good tool for presentations, allowing the moderator to control the progress while keeping the screen visible for their audience.

Laptop Supports are cushions or pillows used to adjust the height of the notebook on your lap. Companies also make desk-based models that raise the laptop off the desk, saving space and bringing the monitor height closer to an optimal viewing position.

Docking Stations let laptop users enjoy the comfort of full-sized peripherals at the office while preserving a notebook's portability for travel. Docking stations contain connections for standard-size peripherals such as keyboards, monitors, and mice. When at your desk, you simply plug the notebook into the docking station, which serves as an interface between the components and essentially creates a desktop computer. When you're ready to leave, you simply remove the notebook from the docking station.

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