Head position: Keep your head and neck in a comfortable and neutral (vertical, or upright) position.

Chair: Use a chair that gives you good back support and seat height adjustment. Use chair adjustments to best suit your desired posture.

Arm and hand position: If available, use chair arm rests or an area on your working surface to provide weight support for your arms. Keep your forearms, wrists, and hands in a relaxed and neutral (horizontal) position. Type with a soft touch without pounding the keys.

Leg position: Keep your thighs parallel to the floor and your feet flat on the floor or on a footrest.

What if you are traveling?

It might not be possible to observe the best ergonomic practices when you are using your computer while on the move or in a casual setting. Regardless of the setting, try to observe as many of the tips as possible. Sitting properly and using adequate lighting, for example, will help you maintain desirable levels of comfort and performance.

Questions about vision?

The visual display screens of ThinkPad notebook computers are designed to meet the highest standards and to provide you with clear, crisp images and large, bright displays that are easy to see, yet easy on the eyes. Of course, any concentrated and sustained visual activity can be tiring. If you have questions on eye fatigue or visual discomfort, consult a vision care specialist for advice.

Comfort

Observe the following guidelines to achieve greater comfort and improve performance.

Active sitting and rest breaks: The longer you sit and work with your computer, the more important it is to observe your working posture. Follow “Ergonomic information” on page 45 and practice “active sitting” to avoid discomfort associated with your working postures. Making minor voluntary postural changes and taking short frequent work breaks are the key ingredients for healthy computing. Your computer is light and mobile; you can easily reposition your working surface to accommodate many posture modifications.

Work area setup options: Familiarize yourself with all of your office furniture so that you know how to adjust your work surface, seat, and other work tools to accommodate your preferences for comfort. If your work area is not in an office setting, be sure to take special note of employing active sitting and taking work breaks. Many ThinkPad product solutions are available to help you modify and expand your computer to best suit your needs. Access the following Web site to view some of these options: http://www.lenovo.com/accessories/services/index.html. Explore your options for docking solutions and external products that provide the adjustability and features that you want.

Accessibility information

Lenovo is committed to providing people with disabilities greater access to information and technology. As a result, the following information provides ways to help users that have hearing, vision, and mobility limitations get the most out of their computer experience.

Assistive technologies enable users to access information in the most appropriate way. Some of these technologies are already provided in your operating system. Others can be purchased through vendors, or accessed through the World Wide Web http://www.lenovo.com/healthycomputing.

46User Guide

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Lenovo E431, E531 manual Comfort, Accessibility information