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Labarum · 08-04-2013, 10:47 AM

This is a question about ergonomics.

I am no great lover of the tablet format, and prefer a small laptop. I am presently typing on a Samsung Chromebook - it has an ARM processor and an 11.5 inch screen.

I do have a Nexus 7 Android tablet, but I have clumsy fingers and find writing even a short email uncomfortable. Then there is the question of having to hold or support a tablet, whereas a laptop sits comfortably on the knee with the keyboard under the hands and the screen adjustable for easy viewing. I spend quite a few hours a day reading news websites and keeping up with correspondence. I would not entertain that on a tablet. I have read reports of increasing cases of neck strain - I well understand that, as so many folk bend over their smart phones and tablets.

I have recently been experimenting with my Nexus 7 as a eBook reader, and with a £29 Nook bought for my wife as a reserve for her Sony Reader. She loves the Sony, and spends hours a day reading novels. Although there is not much difference in weight the Sony in its case it sits more easily in the hand that the Nexus 7 in its case. The Nexus 7 is longer and therefore drags more. The Nook in its case handles about the same as the Sony; but, of course, the Nexus 7 screen wins over both in all but bright sunlight.

What comfort strategies to folk have for reading for hours with the likes of a Nexus 7? If I sit it on my knee with my heels on a foot-stool I can almost get a comfortable position without holding the Nexus; but I say "almost". I can prop it on the arm of the chair in landscape mode for a good screen angle, but the line-lengths become over long. Increasing font size is nice, but also increases the frequency of page turns.

A stand that held the Nexus 7 in portrait mode might be good, but mechanical stability could be an issue

I also find Overdrive Read on my Samsung ARM Chromebook quite good. In laptop (landscape) mode the viewing area is big enough in full screen mode. The small laptop I can even rest on the arm of the sofa. I can rotate the screen and use the whole 11.5" portrait display for the big print-big book look, but if I do that I have a very large tablet in my hands. A cushion on my knee might be an answer, but not in this warm weather!

A Lenovo Joga with its bend-right-back keyboard would be good for that as a big big reader, but a very light A4 iInk tablet might be better still - Sony have one in waiting, I think.

How do others manage a comfortable read on the sofa or easy chair, and what hardware do they use?

08-04-2013, 10:47 AM	#1
Labarum Enthusiast Posts: 37 Karma: 1000454 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Southampton and Nicosia Device: none	A comfortable read. This is a question about ergonomics. I am no great lover of the tablet format, and prefer a small laptop. I am presently typing on a Samsung Chromebook - it has an ARM processor and an 11.5 inch screen. I do have a Nexus 7 Android tablet, but I have clumsy fingers and find writing even a short email uncomfortable. Then there is the question of having to hold or support a tablet, whereas a laptop sits comfortably on the knee with the keyboard under the hands and the screen adjustable for easy viewing. I spend quite a few hours a day reading news websites and keeping up with correspondence. I would not entertain that on a tablet. I have read reports of increasing cases of neck strain - I well understand that, as so many folk bend over their smart phones and tablets. I have recently been experimenting with my Nexus 7 as a eBook reader, and with a £29 Nook bought for my wife as a reserve for her Sony Reader. She loves the Sony, and spends hours a day reading novels. Although there is not much difference in weight the Sony in its case it sits more easily in the hand that the Nexus 7 in its case. The Nexus 7 is longer and therefore drags more. The Nook in its case handles about the same as the Sony; but, of course, the Nexus 7 screen wins over both in all but bright sunlight. What comfort strategies to folk have for reading for hours with the likes of a Nexus 7? If I sit it on my knee with my heels on a foot-stool I can almost get a comfortable position without holding the Nexus; but I say "almost". I can prop it on the arm of the chair in landscape mode for a good screen angle, but the line-lengths become over long. Increasing font size is nice, but also increases the frequency of page turns. A stand that held the Nexus 7 in portrait mode might be good, but mechanical stability could be an issue I also find Overdrive Read on my Samsung ARM Chromebook quite good. In laptop (landscape) mode the viewing area is big enough in full screen mode. The small laptop I can even rest on the arm of the sofa. I can rotate the screen and use the whole 11.5" portrait display for the big print-big book look, but if I do that I have a very large tablet in my hands. A cushion on my knee might be an answer, but not in this warm weather! A Lenovo Joga with its bend-right-back keyboard would be good for that as a big big reader, but a very light A4 iInk tablet might be better still - Sony have one in waiting, I think. How do others manage a comfortable read on the sofa or easy chair, and what hardware do they use? Last edited by Labarum; 08-04-2013 at 10:51 AM.