Feature: Ergonomics on the Go

When your hands and forearms are throbbing, your neck and shoulders are stiff, your lower back aches, and your rear is numb, it can only mean one of two things. One, you've spent the past year living in a Northern California redwood tree. Or two, you've been typing on a computer for hours during a cross-country flight. In coach.

I've never lived in a redwood tree--though as a child in North Carolina, I once fell off a dogwood branch. I have, however, spent many coast-to-coast trips working on a computer and experiencing, as a result, the aforementioned aches and pains. For years I've dealt with repetitive strain injuries from too much keyboarding. The discomfort is never greater than after hauling luggage through an airport and using my notebook for hours in a cramped, coach-cabin seat.

The only ways to avoid the problem entirely is to pack light, leave the notebook at home, or to not work during the flight. But that's often impractical. The following suggestions and products should help make you more comfortable and productive when you travel with your gear.

Pack Wisely

Avoid carrying suitcases without wheels and notebook bags that must be toted on your shoulder--either can cause stiffness and pain.

For maximum comfort and convenience, make sure your computer bag fits under the seat in front of you. Otherwise, you'll have to place it in the overhead bin; if it's heavy, you could drop the bag on someone's head (I've seen it happen) or strain yourself retrieving it. Also, if you're unlucky enough to land a window seat, you'll have to step over one or more passengers to get to your notebook after take-off and again to store it before landing.

Unfortunately, the airlines I called and Web sites I checked didn't specify the size restrictions a bag must meet in order to fit under the seat in front of you. In general, a carry-on bag must be no larger than 45 linear inches to be allowed on board. To calculate linear inches, add the bag's height, width, and length. A bag measuring 22 inches long by 14 inches wide by 9 inches high, for instance, would meet most airline carry-on requirements.

The World Traveler luggage site has a list of airline carry-on size restrictions. Based on my experience, however, a wheeled computer bag no larger than about 16 inches long by 15 inches wide by 8 inches high should fit comfortably under a standard airline seat. The U.S. Luggage Rolling Computercase is an ingenious example. This bag measures 16.5 inches high by 14.5 inches wide by 7.5 inches high and includes a clever padded side pocket that lets you retrieve your notebook without having to pull the whole bag out from under the seat. The bag comes in ballistic nylon (about $95) and leather (about $140). Check it out at SkyMall.

If your favorite notebook bag doesn't roll, don't worry. SkyMall also sells a compact luggage cart that conveniently folds up to be smaller than an umbrella, according to the catalog. I haven't tested it or the U.S. Luggage bag (yet), but SkyMall offers a 60-day return policy, so it's worth a try. The Carry Cart has been available in a regular version ($60) that holds up to 50 pounds of luggage and a heavy-duty model ($80) that can support up to 100 pounds, but a recent check on the Web site found only the latter available. Call 800/759-6255 or go to SkyMall.com for more information.

Take a Small Notebook

If you're in the market for a notebook and plan to use it frequently in flight, skip the desktop replacement models and pick up a lithe subnotebook. Many subnotebooks weigh from 3 to 6 pounds and fit more comfortably on a plane's seat-back tray than larger portables can. And subnotebook screens are often 12.1 or 13.3 inches, so you won't have to worry when the lug in the seat before you suddenly reclines. The keyboards can feel cramped, though, and because of their smaller screens, subnotebooks can cause spreadsheet users to do lots of scrolling.

Among the latest subnotebooks reviewed favorably by PCWorld.com are the Sharp Actius UM30W (profiled in the Notebooks & Accessories section of this issue), the Fujitsu LifeBook S Series, and the IBM ThinkPad T30.

For reviews of the latest subnotebooks, pay a visit to PCWorld.com's "Top 15 Notebooks," which is updated monthly. For news about thin and light notebooks, go to PCWorld.com.

Make Yourself Comfortable

By its very design, a notebook is about as un-ergonomic as you can get. When typing at a comfortable angle, with your elbows at a 90-degree angle, the screen's position forces you to tilt your head down--over time that's not good for your neck. But raising the notebook so that you're looking directly at the screen, with chin up, forces you to type at an awkward angle.

Ordinarily, you can get around this problem by hooking up an external keyboard, trackball, and monitor to your notebook. That's impractical when you're traveling, but you can make some adjustments for comfort. If you're planning to do a lot of computer work on the road, consider packing an external keyboard and trackball in your checked suitcase. Some keyboards, for instance, have an embedded pointing device (so you won't have to bring a separate one along) and are relatively compact.

The IBM TrackPoint USB Space Saver Keyboard ($99), for example, is a black USB keyboard weighing 2.5 pounds and measuring 14.6 inches wide, 1.5 inches high, and 6.6 inches deep. The keyboard was designed for ThinkPads and incorporates a TrackPoint pointing device and a 2-port USB 1.1 hub.

Once at your destination, place the notebook on a stack of books to elevate it for comfortable screen viewing. After attaching an external keyboard and trackball, you can sit down to work in a reasonably ergonomic position. Alternatively, there are portable notebook stands available; see the Notebooks & Accessories section of this issue for details.

Notice, by the way, that I've suggested you use a trackball, not a mouse. That's because every ergonomic expert I've consulted says the same thing: Computer mice force you to grip and click too much, while trackballs--which require less movement--are far easier on your hands and fingers.

Finally, call your hotel before you go and ask if its guest rooms have desks and comfortable work chairs. Some hotel chains that cater to business travelers, such as the Hilton Garden Inn, are now touting ergonomic workstations, chairs, and lighting in their guest rooms.

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