How do you sit with your laptop?

**Learning Newbie** · 05-16-2008, 05:28 PM

I think among a lot of us techies, a laptop is like a phone. Sure, there are people in the Appalachians who don't have a phone, but these people don't have shoes or teeth, either. Anyone who makes sites, designs, or programs, finds a laptop as necessary as a phone. Of course I'm exaggerating just a little bit for flair.

Anyway, my wife says if I don't stop complaining about my back, she's going to fix it herself, with a hammer. "I'm not kidding, John. See a doctor. Or a chiropractor. Or a furniture salesman. Or an exorcist - just get it fixed!" She's so sweet!

How do people sit at the laptop for a few hours without making themselves sore? Chair, couch, soft, firm, what?

**Cheshire_cat** · 05-16-2008, 05:31 PM

I usually don't get sore, but I usually sit down with my laptop for about 6 or more hours a day.

**Moxxnixx** · 05-16-2008, 06:08 PM

I have a small laptop desk next to my regular pc desk. So, I sit in the same
office chair for both. I hardly ever use my "laptop" on my lap.

**andrei155** · 05-16-2008, 06:18 PM

why don't you place the laptop on the bed, and lie down in it on your tummy.

**bakerc** · 05-16-2008, 06:31 PM

I used to get backache because I was sat in front of PC constantly.

I either sit at my desk (homeoffice) or at the dinning tabble with my laptop.
On occasion I will sit on the sofa with the laptop on my knee.

If your back is getting sore try making sure you sit with your back straight and shoulders back (I find its easy to 'hunch' over you computer if your sat at it for long periods). It may feel a bit strange at first as you will over compensate (too straight and shoulders too far back) but it should stop the backache.

**VirtuosiMedia** · 05-16-2008, 06:34 PM

Nobody else controls their laptop with their mind? Oh...

**bakerc** · 05-16-2008, 06:40 PM

VM has the best solution ...lol

**andrei155** · 05-16-2008, 06:47 PM

VM, teach me man. How do you do it.

**joder** · 05-16-2008, 08:15 PM

I set it on my desk. I office chair is pretty comfortable.

**VirtuosiMedia** · 05-16-2008, 08:16 PM

It's easy. A trip to Radio Shack and a couple hours is all you need, really.

**Learning Newbie** · 05-16-2008, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bakerc

(I find its easy to 'hunch' over you computer if your sat at it for long periods)

Guilty as charged.

**joder** · 05-16-2008, 08:21 PM

I sit straight up (for the most part). The problem I have is crossing my ankles.

**KML9870** · 05-16-2008, 10:16 PM

I usually sit in an office chair. My back doesn't bother me, but as I get older my feet tend to go numb from sitting on them all the time :P

**jabo** · 05-16-2008, 10:49 PM

I like to hangout in coffee shops with my laptop. I only use my laptop at work and at coffee shops so I often use it placed on a desk or a table.

**tripy** · 05-16-2008, 11:27 PM

Quote:

"I'm not kidding, John. See a doctor. Or a chiropractor. Or a furniture salesman. Or an exorcist - just get it fixed!" She's so sweet!

Indeed she is!

Personally, the only time I use the laptop is when I'm on the move, or at wok.
At work, because private stuff has nothing to do on the office computer, and on the move (usually in trains) just to kill time.

I found my logitech mouse/keyboard and office chair more comfortable.

**bakerc** · 10:17 AM

You could invest in an ergonomic chair...if you usually sit at a desk or something buy a chair that will encourage you to sit correctly, or if you sit on a normal chair or sofa and you have the space get the chair and use it as your laptop space or something (people buy chairs just for gaming)..

I tried what VM suggested - I meditated over my laptop passing happy vibes to it...still no luck as yet...

**serandfae** · 05-17-2008, 12:27 PM

There are laptop desks that are kind of like TV trays (ie, they stand on the floor), except that they angle the keyboard toward you with the keyboard over your lap, have venting beneath, have a wrist rest for typing, etc.

tim

**joder** · 05-18-2008, 03:42 PM

Here is a do-it-yourself laptop stand
http://flickr.com/photos/98497602@N0...7600180195442/

**tamar** · 05-18-2008, 06:56 PM

Usually a couch, but more often, my bed. I *never* use my desk.

I'm in my bed right now, but that's only because my husband was on the couch

**highanddry** · 05:59 PM

I learned the hard way about back pain after using the computer for hours on end (and breaking it in HS).. Sitting too much is the major reason I stopped doing forums for almost a year. I do a lot of excercise and stretching now.