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Technology, Well-Being June 11, 2010

“Offices” Are So This Century

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You might think that my idea of an office is different than my parents’ idea. Not so. It turns out that they, like a lot of Baby Boomers, are really good at adapting to what’s becoming more common for all of us—working anywhere. That can mean working from home, a coffee shop, or a “campsite” at headquarters. Mobile work is becoming a reality for many people and businesses.

Here I am working in the coffee bar at Herman Miller. (Got my portable mouse and separate keyboard, got my laptop support so I can elevate the display and get it to a good viewing angle.) Studies show that the simple addition of a portable mouse and separate keyboard dramatically increases comfort for mobile workers.

Ask anyone—like me—who’s really into mobile working, and she’ll tell you that portable technology is a must, and the fewer things to carry, the better. While mobile working may be the preferred work style for many now and most of us in the future, it doesn’t mean we can ignore our health while we do it. If I’ve learned anything from working anywhere it’s that being on the move feels better when I bring some good ergonomic support along with me.

Permalink Comments (6)

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Comments (6)

Yes, the laptop is supposed to be the ultimate portable workstation with it’s own finger touch mouse pad and keyboard. But the incorporated features really are horrible to use from an ergonomics standpoint (and they slow me down). The portable keyboard and separate mouse do turn a laptop into a “real” computer and are much more comfortable to use – even though that setup means you need something besides your lap to set it your computer on.

Daisy McCarty
http://www.sandiegocubicles.com/blog/

posted by San Diego Office Furniture | June 12, 2010 at 1:48 pm

I find the practice of raising monitors (as shown here) perplexing: as a 55 year old, I need monitors to be LOWER so I can read ‘em through my bifocals without straining my neck.

a small laptop on a lap desk is much more comfortable, even with it’s poor keyboard feel and trackpad than my desktop with twin 20″ monitors, which are way too high.

posted by John Lowther | December 15, 2010 at 1:47 pm

That’s a great point John. The ideal screen angle for those who wear bifocals is -40 degrees.

Check out Flo, Herman Miller’s newest monitor arm, which allows you to lower your screens and get them at a negative angle. It is a great fit for individuals with bifocals.

http://hermanmiller.com/Products/Flo-Monitor-Arm

posted by Robin | March 29, 2011 at 5:04 pm

I’m looking at the above image, there are several positions which stand out to me. First being her mouse seems to be further away which could lead to reach-pinch stress due to repetitiveness and the contact stress associated with her plams and forearm resting on a hard and sharp(table edge) surface. Without being able to evaluate her setup, the monitor does seem to be lower, which could lead to strain being placed on her neck and shoulder blades.

posted by Grady Maxwell | July 14, 2011 at 6:53 pm

Grady,
Great observations. Your comments point out several of the things that mobile workers need to be aware of. Since they work “wherever,” they sometimes have to “make due” in an environment that’s less than ideal. As to mouse placement, you’re right that she should be aware of not placing it too far away; at least it’s a wireless mouse, so positioning, and repositioning, for comfort and reach is easy. And, although it’s hard to tell from the photo, the table edge does angle downward a bit, which can help prevent contact stress. But, again, mobile workers don’t often find such forgiving surfaces to work on, so they need to watch out for this. Display screen height, as you point out, is another critical matter. Hers may be a tad low in the photo. The key for me is whether or not she’s aware of this and is using the adjustable feature of the laptop support so she doesn’t spend too long in an uncomfortable viewing position.

posted by Randall Braaksma | July 15, 2011 at 8:03 am

The biggest challenge or resistance we get from clients who work in a “mobile” situation seems to be not a resistance to the products nor the technology but rather that the suite of products collectively being “portable”. Whe you try to “package” the laptop stand, wireless mouse, wireless keyboard, laptop, associated cables and chargers alnong with work documentation we end up with a case that is often heave and cumbersom and ironically often creating poor posture while carrying. Splitting cases to spread the components is not favoured as carrying two cases is cumbersome and unless all components are with you as your attache it defeats the “mobile” concept. Some case or carry bag solutions will eliminate the last piece of resistance.

posted by Paul Garratt | November 6, 2011 at 2:49 am

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