GeekSugar

Geek Tip: Make Your Workstation a Little More Ergonomic

GeekSugar — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:30:42 -0700

It doesn't take much to make your home workstation a little more body friendly. So before you head back to school this Fall, add a few ergonomic touches to your home office. I have professed my love for the Ikea Dave Laptop stand many times before, so if you must work in front of the tube (like yours truly), put it on a stand and not on your lap! Add a desk lamp to save your eyes, and either an amazing chair or a fitness ball (or both!) to save your back and shoulders. Also, make sure you have a pretty keyboard wrist rest to prevent typing fatigue.

Have any ergonomic supplies you can't live without? Share with us your own geeky, body-friendly office tips below!

The Herman Miller Embody Chair Feels Good All Over

GeekSugar — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 04:00:03 -0800

When furniture designer Herman Miller sent me one of their latest and greatest creations, the Embody Chair - which is both body and blogging friendly - I couldn't wait to see if it felt as good as it looked.

With the help of physicians and professionals in such fields like biomechanics, vision, physical therapy, and ergonomics, designers Jeff Weber and Bill Stumpf created the Embody Chair with the office worker in mind, therefore making sure it was jam-packed full of health-positive benefits.

What instantly struck me about this chair was the fact that its entire backing looks like a real spine, with vertebrates and all. Once you sit down, you can actually feel it adapting to the shape and movement of your spine and it will move when you move. With adjustments for your back, seat height, arm height, arm width, the tilt tension (yes it can recline) and the seat depth, you can get the Embody to distribute your weight evenly and conform perfectly to your body. And even if your body moves, the lower back support always remains constant for perfect posture and back alignment.

Although the chair looks very dainty and delicate, it's actually quite sturdy and extremely heavy! So you don't have to worry about breaking it. The Embody is 95 percent recyclable, PVC free, and was made with 42 percent of recycled content. The chair is said to be available this January for $1600 - I know, pricey, but it is the Aston Martin of office chairs! And I can't confirm this, but I'm going to assume it will come in more colors other than yellow. Herman Miller even has its own Thoughtpile site where you can contribute solutions and creative ideas from topics ranging to the environment to urban design!

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Feast Your Eyes (and Arms) on This Wrist Rest

GeekSugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 09:03:36 -0700

Sure, I bet you have a black or other primary colored wrist rest, and it suits you just fine. But this is geeksugar, and I'm not interested in plain peripherals! I'm dazzled by this Wrist Rest Set ($11) and its turquoise geometric pattern. It's like a party on your desk, and who doesn't need that?

Not only is it a pretty sight, this rest has all-natural filler: buckwheat, flaxseed, and rice. And it's lavender-scented. Balance the party in the pattern with the soothing smell of the lavender, and you've got a perfect product, my friend.

Geek Gear: Ergonomic Mouse

GeekSugar — Tue, 22 May 2007 13:30:39 -0700

About a week ago I asked you readers to help me find an ergonomic mouse that's both hand and eye friendly. My mom uses a simple mouse she bought with her laptop and is constantly bugging me about finding her a better option.

dali137 bookmarked this Logitech TrackMan Wheel, which seems to be a favorite among computer users seeking an ergonomic balance. "I use ONLY this mouse, I own one for home and one for travel with my powerbook," says dali137. "I can just lay back on the couch and prop the mouse on a pillow and geek away. It also comes in a cordless model as well as other configs of the trackball idea."

For another ergonomic mouse idea, read more

cravinsugar has a couple great finds, including the Adesso SmartCat Pro USB Glidepoint Touchpad. Priced at $79.95, the Smart Cat Pro is all about comfort and control. It features one-touch scroll and zoom, and distinctive sounds for each operation.

You can check out all the bookmarked ergonomic mice on TeamSugar.

The BalanceBall Is Good For Your Back And Your Butt

GeekSugar — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 14:00:34 -0700

Anything that helps me get in shape while sitting down is something that grabs my attention because unfortunately, I am sitting at my desk for at least 10 hours a day. The BalanceBall Chair is not your conventional office chair. Designed with help from the chiropractic expert Dr. Randy Weinzoff, the BalanceBall is a great way to strengthen your core muscles and improve your spinal alignment. The actual chair looks like a huge yoga ball on easy-glide casters with adjustable support for the lower back. It might not be the most stylin' chair but your back will definitely be thanking you! To purchase for $80 go to Gaiam.com.

Geek Out: Ergonomic Mouse

GeekSugar — Fri, 04 May 2007 13:00:19 -0700

Anyone who spends more than 4 hours a day at the computer knows it's all too easy to cramp up your fingers and then to feel finger, hand and wrist pain. It's no wonder that Carpal Tunnel Syndrome has been called a geek's worst nightmare.

For that reason, I've been on the hunt for a nice, ergonomic mouse that's both hand and eye friendly. My mom uses a simple mouse she bought with her laptop and is constantly bugging me about finding her a better option.

Let's all geek out and search the web for attractive, sleek ergonomic mice for my mom. Please tag your finds with "ergonomic mouse" then check back to geeksugar next week to see if I featured your Geek Gear!

To learn what Geek Gear is and how to bookmark on our site, click here.

To see some of my favorite online stores, read more

Amazon
Apple Store
Best Buy
eLuxury
Sony Style
Target
Think Geek

Linea Laptop Stand: Simple And Ergonomic

GeekSugar — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 10:00:01 -0700

We all know the importance of using laptop stands to keep our laptops off our laps - they keep our machines cool, protect us from fears of WiFi's potential health risks and the many infertility risks hot laptops pose for men.

I'm partial to simple stands and trays that were designed for use in bed or on the couch, but Gabriel Kornreich's Linea is equally promising. It offers a simple ergonomic tweak to make your tabletop laptop use more comfortable. The raised stand not only allows air to better circulate under the computer, but it also allows improved viewing angles on the screen that are healthier for your neck. It costs $36.
Source: Notcot

Maximize Your Dorm Room Space With a Laptop Shelf

GeekSugar — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 05:47:55 -0700

There's no fighting it - back to school time is here. I've already shown you ways to stylishly carry your laptop, ways to make your studying environment more ergonomic, and which gadgets to toss in your new Fall bag, so here's a simple and cheap way to keep your dorm nice and neat.

From Ikea (one of my favorite places to shop, by the way), this PS Laptop Workstation ($60) allows you to get your term paper written without having to use your bed as a work station, and keeps all your desk essentials in one compact space. Plus, you can keep prying eyes away with the included lock, and since it's off the ground (attaching securely to your wall), you'll free up more floor space for that ever-important mini fridge.

Earphones That I Still Can't Believe Are Only $50

GeekSugar — Fri, 15 May 2009 04:02:36 -0700

In my day, I've tested out my fair share of earphones. Oddly enough, I'm not one of those people that can wear Apple's standard earphones - call it abnormally shaped ears, I don't know, I just can't wear em'. I definitely have a top three list of earphones that rock my world, but the problem is, they are waaay too expensive. And when I say overpriced, I mean you can't just run out and buy another pair if a) you lose 'em or b) they get trampled on at the gym (it happens).

I talked about Radius last year when they debuted their line of colorful ultra light aluminum earphones; well, this year they're back with a new line of ergonomic, oh so hip, and perfectly-fitting earphones called the Atomic Bass Earphones. Now a pair of these earphones are $50, and I know $50 isn't considered "cheap" but let me tell you, they offer the same sound quality as a $150 pair. If you want a cheap pair that offers zero bass, then pick up a $20 pair, but these ones output sound that is crystal clear and they have bass! Personally, I love me some bass with my tunes and these deliver just the right amount.

And did I mention they fit comfortably in your ear (they come with three different sizes of silicone ear pieces), are available in silver, black, and red and they include a high performance mic?! Yes, they are iPhone 3G friendly indeed.

Higher Priced and Hotter or Cheaper and Chicer?

GeekSugar — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 11:06:48 -0700

The $25 Dave laptop table from Ikea still holds a special place in my heart - as well as a special place in both my bedroom and living room (tee-hee). But look out Mr. Dave, there's a sexier laptop stand in town and he's popping up at Target stores across the country. Unlike the Dave laptop table, the Ergonomic laptop desk from Target is made of metal in a laminate walnut finish, which you'll pay for with the table costing $50. The wood version would definitely look a lot nicer in my living room, but for now, I just can't justify the upgrade.