Jan 24, 2013

Problems of touch screen operations on desktop/laptop

Touch screen operations on desktop computers/laptop became a reality with Windows 8. Those which can't be imagined earlier, have come into market now. We are not new to touch screens and are using it on mobiles and tablets. Also, we used to limited extent, in the control room monitors of sophisticated industrial facilities.  

I feel computer use by touch screen, particularly desktop and laptop, may lead to aching of shoulders, wrists and forearm after some period of use, when we have to lift our hand every time for touching the icon on the screen. Unless, we rearrange the position of the monitor/laptop to a lower level (needs to be checked and verified before put into use), users may face such problems over a period of time. Operation with mouse/key board and on the screen are thus different and ergonomics experts' advice for suitable placing of monitors is to be obtained.

I had personal experience of such pain in shoulder, wrist and palm when I used my tablet of 7" for about 4 hours continuously once. That pain lasted for more than a day and I learnt my lesson.