I’m a laptop reviewer, meaning I spend most of my time hunched over a new laptop, obsessively testing the display, keyboard, and performance. I’m also 6'2" and often find myself at tables designed for eating, not working. I don’t always have daily access to the laptop stands and ergonomic accessories that fill my home office.
Throw in my young kids that I’m always chasing around our house, and surprise, surprise: I’ve got some lower back pain. Turns out, laptops were never designed to be our go-to home office computers. They are mobile devices, meant to support use in a diverse set of scenarios, and they are excellent at that. But as your primary device that you use for eight hours a day? That could be a recipe for disaster for your health. So, I spoke to a number of ergonomics experts to dig deep into why working exclusively from a laptop is such a bad idea.
Ergonomics Matter
AmazonBasics Ergonomic Laptop Stand Photograph: Luke Larsen
You probably won’t be surprised to hear that the main problem with working on a laptop is that it forces you to hunch over. “Laptops are convenient but ergonomically challenging,” John Gallucci, a licensed physical therapist and athletic trainer, told me via email. “When adjusting to see the laptop screen, people hunch forward, tilt their heads down, and round their shoulders—this places extra stress on the neck and spine.”
The screen height of your laptop that’s too low might sound harmless, but when you’re talking eight hours a day, every day, your body is going to show the results. The symptoms from this kind of posture are neck and shoulder pain, as well as pressure on the lower back. Gallucci says this can lead to permanent forward head posture, rounded shoulders, and kyphosis, otherwise known as having a hunchback. That’s something Gallucci treats patients for, once they’re already experiencing pain and fatigue. As always, taking preventative measures is key.
Gallucci went on to explain all the symptoms that can occur from having an improperly adjusted workstation: neck stiffness or pain, shoulder or upper back tension, and headaches related to prolonged forward posture. “People may notice tingling, numbness, or aching in their arms and wrists from repetitive strain or improper keyboard and mouse positioning,” he says. "Lower back discomfort, hip tightness, and even leg fatigue can arise when the chair and desk aren’t aligned to support good posture. Over time, these symptoms can progress into chronic pain or repetitive stress injuries if left unaddressed.”