Touch screen ergonomics moving while working

Sit better

Cynthia Roe Purvis, former ergonomist in HP, has offered a free streaming webinar on touchscreen ergonomics.  You need to register for the talk.  The introductions end around 7 minutes into the presentation.  She offers the research behind the HP users guide.

Highlights 30 - 60% of people working with computers have neck and should problems.  Need to have text at least 3mm high.  This prevents turtling.

http://www.thefeelgoodlifestyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/incorrect-sitting-posture.jpg

Touch screens are much lower and much closer than standard computer monitors at about the distance of the knee from the body while sitting.   The angle range must be adjustable from 20 degrees to 60 degrees.  The touch screen may be below the desk.

Scan your body for discomfort.  Monitor placement.   Move monitor through out the day.  Scan body for tension and adjust workstation and position to relieve the discomfort.  The display should be designed without speakers or other hardware under the display.

Move better

Work better

Jim Lavine at Mayo Clinic answers the question: What are the risks of sitting too much?

Excerpt:

One recent study compared adults who spent less than two hours a day in front of the TV or other screen-based entertainment with those who logged more than four hours a day of recreational screen time. Those with greater screen time had:

• A nearly 50 percent increased risk of death from any cause
• About a 125 percent increased risk of events associated with cardiovascular disease, such as chest pain (angina) or heart attack

Lenovo's Table top Tablet

Lenovo has developed a 27" table top tablet weighing 15 pounds.  The size is equivalent to eight iPads placed together.  It runs on Windows 8 Software.  Peter Svensson from AP reports that 4 people can use the screen at once.

http://www.techspot.com/news/51244-lenovo-27-inch-ideacentre-table-pc-yoga-11s-laptop-thinkpad-helix-convertible.html

The ergonomics of this coffee table top PC are problematic.  I can see it causing significant problems with shoulder or lower back discomfort.  It would be difficult to get the surface on a small enough table at the right height to allow someone to manipulate the screen without having to lean forward or fit 4 people comfortably around it.

After talking to an art instructor, the tablet could be an interesting larger canvas for digital painting or drawing if it would accept variously styled stylus tips.  If it was set up on an adjustable easel stand the ergonomics would be fine. 

Visually, it would be useful for comparing multiple documents or programs at the same time.  The air hockey simulation looks fun.  It could also be used as a message board in an alternative workplace environment or a collaborative tool at a meeting.