While the laptop has been a huge boon in helping workers become more mobile, it poses its own set of challenges when it comes to ergonomics. Research any of the information on ideal monitor placement in relation to keyboard placement, and one thing becomes clear. It’s impossible to achieve both when you are using a laptop. The screen and keyboard are inextricably linked. The best way to prevent back, neck, eye, and wrist strain is to separate these functions. You can do this by plugging in a peripheral keyboard and setting the laptop monitor up on a tilted riser on your worksurface.

Of course, adding all these extra parts kind of defeats the purpose if you mainly use a laptop because it’s so portable. However, there are some things you can do and tools you can use to make your laptop slightly more ergonomic. Turnstone has a blog post up this week on just that topic. Check out the various laptop pads and pedestals they’re showcasing. You might find one that can at least help you sit up straighter and keep the hot laptop off your thighs.