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.

  • 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