You’ll find advice here on how to use your computer – e.g. looking at your position, the position of the monitor, etc. – in a way that results in maximum job satisfaction with minimum environmental impact.
Adapt your focal distance to the screen – better sight work and working position
A distance of around 50 - 80 cm is recommended between a desktop display and your eyes. This is hard to achieve when you use a laptop because the keyboard and display are linked together. So here, you have to go for a compromise – being able to see well, and at the same time being able to use the keyboard while remaining in an acceptable working position.
Angle your display – good for your eyes, better color reproduction
Your eyes will find it easiest if you angle your eyes slightly downwards, in much the same way as when you read a newspaper. So angle the display so that you can see well.
Angle the display to achieve the best color reproduction and contrast. Adjust the background lighting. Then adjust color control to obtain true-to-life colors (see the user manual for your computer).
Working with your computer on your lap?
Working with your laptop on your lap is only recommended for short periods. This might feel comfortable if you’re working while you’re on the move and you don’t have access to a proper desk, but it can cause problems with your neck and shoulders if you make a habit of it. To prevent your computer from feeling unpleasantly hot on your lap, you can get a "tray" which you place on your lap, underneath the computer, which dissipates the heat. These are known as "laptop coolers".
Separate keyboard, mouse and monitor when using your laptop on a desk
If you’re using your laptop for a long time, we recommend that you connect up a separate keyboard and mouse, or else a centered control device, and a separate monitor (desktop). This will improve your visual distance and working position.
Position the separate keyboard so that you have space to rest your arms and hands on the table. Work with the mouse close to the keyboard. Avoid lengthy periods of mouse use. Instead, alternate with your keyboard shortcuts, or use what’s known as a centered control device (Roller Mouse, Mouse Trapper or similar).
Docking station
A third option is to connect your laptop to a complete desktop setup. Your choice of all this equipment will of course depend on your individual needs and work tasks.
Improve your lighting
Position your laptop to avoid glare or irritating reflections from windows, sunlight, room lighting or mirrors. A matt display is often preferable as the shinier your display, the more you’ll experience problems with reflections. On the other hand, a shiny screen can be an advantage if you have to use it a lot in areas which are very bright, such as outdoors, or if fantastic color reproduction is very important to you. That said, though, sitting out in the sunshine and working on your computer is really not a good idea. The display’s contrast and background lighting aren’t designed for this type of visual environment. It’s like trying to watch TV in a room full of sunlight – your eyes will soon feel tired. Find out more about the effect of good lighting
Keep noise to a minimum
You can influence the noise of your computer yourself by not covering up the vents and so making the fan run faster. No dust in the computer will also mean less heat stored in the machine. So keep your computer clean, and vacuum it now and again!
Be climate-smart when you use your laptop
It’s important to enable all the energy saving functions available in order to reduce the amount of power required to a minimum. Remember: a screensaver with a cool picture that moves around actually stops your computer winding down into low energy mode! It’s also important to really shut down your computer when you’re not using it. Statistics show that two-thirds of all computers in the world are left on 24 hours a day!
When using your laptop, remember to:
- Connect to an earthed socket
- Use the right working position
- Connect up your laptop like a desktop (external keyboard, mouse or centered control device and monitor) when working for long periods. Good for you, good for your body.
Using a laptop as a desktop
To allow you to use your laptop as a desktop more easily, check that it has the following ports:
- 1 USB port for a mouse
- 1 USB port for an external keyboard
- 1 USB post for a memory stick
- 1 VGA port for connecting an external monitor
What’s known as a USB hub, which has additional USB ports, is a useful peripheral to have. This kind of USB hub can make life easier by allowing you to connect all your peripherals at the same time.
