3-Fold Laptop Promises Good Display Ergonomics

So that's why our necks have been hurting! Apparently spending the whole day slouched over a laptop is ergonomically unsound. That fact even applies to large desktop replacements that have bigger and easier to read screens.

Laptops simply don't orient their displays high enough to create an optimum viewing angle. Conventional ergonomic wisdom says that you should be looking slightly down while working in front of a computer (along with maintaining proper posture and the like). Yet many laptop users find themselves looking down significantly, simply because the display's hinge is too close to the working surface.

The solution of designer Vincent Liew? Put on the laptop display on a telescoping three-hinge arm. The special arm allows the user to position their screen high and far enough away for optimum viewing and the entire contraption slides into the back of the display when not in use.

It's a great idea, especially if the joints can be engineered for maximum durability and minimum looseness caused from sustained use. It would also be pretty cool to bring a heavy gaming laptop to that next LAN party, snake the display out from the main unit, and look like you're playing on a bonafide all-in-one desktop.

Obviously, as a concept, Liew's design has no scheduled market implementation. Expect updates if that changes though!

Vincent Liew’s redesigned laptop satisfies ergonomic needs

Rico Mossesgeld
Contributing writer

Rico was a contributing writer at Tom's Guide. Based in the Philippines, Rico was plugged into the latest tech news to cover the latest future-gazing products and industry announcements. Rico no longer actively writes for Tom's Guide, and now works as a systems engineer. During his time at the site, he covered topics such as robotics, home office products and retro video games.

Latest in Laptops
Razer Blade
Nvidia's DLSS 4 demo in a Razer Blade 16 with RTX 5090 gives me hope again for next-gen gaming laptops
Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 shown with game controller
I wanted an RTX 50-series gaming laptop, but $620 off this Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 broke me
The Razer Blade 16 (2025) on a couch
Razer Blade 16 with RTX 5060 spotted in new leak — with a pretty shocking $1,999 price tag
HP OmniBook
HP’s new OmniBook lineup looks set to smash AI laptop price barriers — that’s a good thing if the company keeps up its end of the deal
Foldable MacBook concept
Apple's 18-inch foldable just tipped to run macOS — yup, the world's first touchscreen Mac
HP Omen 16 Slim laptop models front and back angles on colored background
HP reveals new RTX 50-series gaming laptops — and the Omen 16 Slim is the first on my radar
Latest in News
Rendered images of rumored foldable iPhone.
Foldable iPhone report just revealed key details — here's what we know
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Saturday, March 23 (#651)
NYT Strands on a cellphone
NYT Strands today — hints, spangram and answers for game #385 (Sunday, March 23 2025)
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 rumored specs — here’s what we know so far
iPhone 17 Pro render
iPhone 17 Pro — 7 biggest rumored upgrades
CAD renderings of the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL
Pixel 10 leak could be good news for all Android phones
  • One flaw:
    To close the laptop, the LCD screen will be glass side up, leaving it vulnerable to breaking.
    Reply
  • Kira1188
    ProDigit80One flaw:To close the laptop, the LCD screen will be glass side up, leaving it vulnerable to breaking.
    It actually looks like it the weird hinge contraption folds over itself to let you close it normally. But, its really not that clear... And its and concept anyways. I think it looks pretty cool.
    Reply
  • 3dsmaxusr01
    ProDigit80One flaw:To close the laptop, the LCD screen will be glass side up, leaving it vulnerable to breaking.
    The diagram shows the lcd closing face down. When opened, you slide the screen up to use the second hinge.
    Reply
  • falchard
    The panel hinge needs to be at the bottom of the display, not at the top for this to work.
    Reply
  • kingssman
    wow... a portable imac?
    Reply
  • joytech22
    A cool concept none the less.
    Reply
  • Azriel4444
    kingssmanwow... a portable imac?
    LOL Very much like something Apple would do. I would never buy it. In order to make it strong enough to be durable, it will end up weighing way more. Weighs a ton, but portable... sounds like my desktop.
    Reply
  • lauxenburg
    I wouldn't mind it.
    Reply
  • ordcestus
    It does look like something apple might do. the style is similar.
    I like it though if theres good hardware inside and a decent price then i'd be happy to get one.
    Reply
  • zak_mckraken
    That's a concept I could really see working. The engineering and construction have to be robust for the system to work without loosing up over time, but it can be done.
    Reply