Step four, monitor height. Move your laptop so that is directly in front of you. Following the ergonomic positioning guide, sit with your body in a neutral position, head aligned and next straight. To determine the monitors height, carefully hold a rigid pointer like a tape measure or yardstick horizontally, from the side of your head at eye level, to your computer screen. Make sure it's horizontal. You can do this by yourself.

But if you have someone to help you, it makes it easier. Where the pointer lands in relationship to your screen is where your eyes are. When you're looking straight ahead. Determine how far away from the top of your screen the pointer lands, raise your monitor by that much. Ideally, this should be at or slightly below the top of your monitor screen. Don't include the frame here.

You may need to adjust and re measure several times to get it just right. By the way, eyeballing the relationship of the eye to the screen is very difficult and usually not accurate. If you wear bifocals, trifocals, or progressive lenses, start with the above process to get you started. But because you're looking out of the bottom section of your glasses, your screen will usually need to be positioned lower so that you don't have to tilt your head up to view the screen. keep adjusting until your head and neck are in a neutral position, chin level and eyes forward. If your laptop allows it slightly tilt the monitor backwards.

This creates an equal viewing distance between the top and bottom of your screen. And because it lowers the screen overall, it will all also assist those who wear bifocals, trifocals and progressive lenses. Check for any reflections and glare on your screen from Windows and overhead lighting and adjust accordingly. Place your laptop on a laptop stand, raise or lower the monitor height by changing the angle of the stand. The taller you are the more upright the angle remeasure to confirm the correct height. If the monitor still needs to be raised higher, you can purchase a monitor riser and place the laptop stand on top of it.

Taller people may find that the combination of the laptop stand and the monitor riser is still not high enough. For a little more height, consider adding a ream of paper or a phonebook on top of the monitor stand. Something to note about the laptop stands pictured the gray stand that is sitting on top of the riser The standby itself will raise the monitor one half inch higher than the black stand. This is because the height of the lip with a computer sits is higher to begin with. This extra height is helpful the taller you are, but for most it won't make any difference at all. However, if you are five foot one or under, this might put your monitor too high, just something to consider when choosing a stand.

Also, when you do purchase a laptop stand, choose one that is lightweight and compact, just in case you want to take your laptop on the go. If you don't have a laptop stand, you can improvise by placing the computer directly on top of a monitor riser or a sturdy box. Try to choose something that will raise the monitor to the correct height. If you need a little more height, you can also ask A ream of paper or phonebook. The most important thing when you improvise or combine products is to protect your laptop from falling. So be sure to create a flat, non slippery sturdy foundation that supports the computer you have.

If you purchase a monitor riser, I recommend adjustable risers because they're more functional, especially when there are changes to your work location, desk, chair or computer. And if you ever buy more than one for your business or family members, purchase the same one and keep any unused riser sections. Some people may only need one section of the riser to make it high enough, while others who are taller may need even more than are available in one package.