New laptop, and a design question

[nancylebov]

My computer died recently, and I now have an Inspiron which seems to be very good-- it's certainly a lot faster.

However, like any laptop, it's an ergonomic nightmare because the keyboard and screen are too close together. I've got it hooked to my keyboard and trackball, even though it's got the first pleasant touchpad (slightly rough surface!) I've ever used, just so I don't need to hunch while I'm using it.

Do you think it would be physically possible to have a laptop with a screen on an extensible stalk so that it could be at a good height? Of course, when I say physically possible, I mean durable enough so that it's worth having on a device that's likely to have the stalk used repeatedly.

A general discussion of ergonomics.

Comments

[avram]

Over the years I've seen several designs along the lines of a tablet computer plus a keyboard, that can latch together along one edge to make a laptop, or sit separately. There are keyboard-cases available for the iPad that do that now, and maybe for other tablets as well. Put the screen portion on a raised platform, and there you go.

[henrytroup.livejournal.com]

Once you've hooked the laptop to an external keyboard, you can lift the screen to where it needs to be. I've frequently knocked together plywood boxes or half-boxes for that (flat top, two sides, four holes, four screws. Even gives you storage underneath.) Or use packages of paper, plastic storage tub, whatever.

One reason for wireless keyboards and mouse is in principle good is that you aren't messing with wires. Alas, there's the battery issues instead.

[nancylebov.livejournal.com]

That's what I've ended up doing.