Many Australians use a laptop computer both at home and at work. In fact, you are more likely to find more laptops in workplaces now than desktop computers. With the ever improving technology in laptops, they have become more convenient than traditional desktop computers. Their mobility, ease to transport and long life batteries make them a great choice for any working environment.

What isn’t so great about laptops, though, is the damage they are doing to our bodies. As much as they’ve improved our lives – allowing us to work virtually anywhere, allowing us to check facebook on the couch or kitchen bench – they’ve been another unplanned ergonomic pitfall. 

We've put together a simple guide on how to setup your laptop to ensure you work comfortably and productively.  

This first section won't blow your mind, in fact you've probably heard this time and time over. Where possibly sit at your desk and use your laptop. Sit with good posture - elbows slightly above the desk surface, feet firm on the floor or footrest, back supported by a back rest, lumbar support of the chair positioned in your lower back and bottom right back against the back of the chair.

I know, I hear you - "then why is it called a lap-top". Although designed to be used on your lap, ergonomically speaking, this is just asking for aches and pains. Use your laptop on a desk. Simply doing this will reduce the chances of you developing aches and pains significantly. Occasional use of your laptop on your lap or on the couch is ok, but be mindful how much time you are using your laptop from your lap. Anymore then 20 minutes, and you should move to a desk.

Use a laptop raiser to raise the height of your laptop monitor. This will help to reduce the strain on your neck from looking down too much. By using a laptop raiser, you'll have to also use an external keyboard and mouse as the laptops keyboard and mouse pad will be quite awkward to use when on the laptop raiser. There are plenty of decent ergonomic laptop stands, but even an old phone book or textbook will still do the job.