How working from home on a tablet can be ergonomic
The way we work has changed drastically over the years. We started out our journeys on bulky PCs with monitors the size of a small sedan. We eventually moved to slim, mass-produced PCs, and eventually to laptops. Then tablets began to slice into the laptop market share and our hands cramped at the thought of navigating an Excel spreadsheet on a tablet. It doesn't have to be that way.
While tablets like the Microsoft Surface are constructed and marketed in a way to replace laptops, many tablets are still something we consider to be handheld. The thing is, for most of the work we do, there isn't much we can't do on a tablet that can be done on a laptop or PC. Now that so many of us are working at home, we tend to not want to sit at a desk all day when there are other options available.
In a recent Gartner survey, it was reported that tablet use as it pertains to getting work done increased 11.7% in 2021, while PC use continued to decline. The ability to work on the go, without being locked to a desk is appealing for many workers.
It's a really nice day outside, do you really want to be hunched over in front of monitors in the corner of your bedroom, or would you rather be outside on the patio with a tablet in hand? The conflict here is that tablets, without external peripherals, can be a bit unwieldy to work on. Without having to invest in an external keyboard, stand and mouse, there are ways to turn your tablet into a comfortable, handheld work device.
One of those ways is with the appropriate case that turns your tablet into a comfortable, ergonomically sound work device. You'll want to find a case that not only offers protection from drops or bumps but has a mechanism that allows for one-handed operation. The key here is how the case fits in your hand, how heavy it is, and the versatility between using your tablet in landscape or portrait mode.
The ergonomic truth is that tablet use can bring with it higher risks as it pertains to arm and hand health. While every tablet user has a different tolerance for pain and discomfort associated with device use, finding a more comfortable iPad position for use can extend usage time. Sure, tablet stands exist, but it makes more sense to purchase a case that serves as both a stand and ergonomic hold device.
When we are using a tablet, we tend to use it in extreme postures, in relation to laptop or PC usage. We're standing, we're reclining, we're walking and talking. The tablet might be propped up on the counter, or we could be laying on the lawn with it sitting in the grass. It can be tough to find a neutral posture that provides the most ergonomic relief. It's much easier if the tablet case itself creates that relief through comfort-focused design.
If it's not totally clear, finding the right tablet case can create a comfortable ergonomic situation for your tablet use. Simply holding a tablet and attempting to be productive on it can be awkward and uncomfortable. Sure, you could go full tablet stand and external keyboard, but that defeats the purposeful freedom of using a tablet.
Whether you are contemplating a switch to a tablet-focused work setup or looking for a more ergonomic solution to your current tablet use, purchasing the right case should be at the top of your mind. It could mean the difference between constant pain and comfortable, productive creation.
