3 Tips on How to Use a Laptop at a Standing Desk

Using a standing desk with a laptop is different than with a PC. A laptop has the display closer to the keyboard which isn’t right for ergonomics. An ergonomic sitting position needs to have your elbows at a 90-degree angle so that you can keep your shoulders back and upper back straight. You also need to raise the laptop so that you look directly at the screen at around 22 inches from your eyes. Tilting your head down constantly to look at a laptop defeats the purpose of an ergonomic standing desk.

  1. Set the laptop at the right height on the desk

The standing desk with laptops needs to be at a comfortable height so that the monitor is right in front of you. You should be able to read the text of the monitor without tilting your head. When the screen is at eye level, you don’t need to hunch over, your shoulders can be straight, and your elbows can sit comfortably at a 90-degree angle. Here are a few tips to make this a reality.

Consider a separate monitor

Buying a separate monitor is one of the simplest methods of bringing the display at eye level. Instead of tilting your head to see the laptop’s display, you can watch the height-adjustable monitor. Most new monitors are compatible with most laptops.

Invest in a standing desk with a laptop support

A standing laptop desk is also called a desk converter. It is specifically designed for a laptop as it elevates their monitor to an eye-level, turning the regular standing desk into an ergonomic standing desk with a laptop. One such standing desk converters for laptops does the following:

  • It elevates the display between 18.3” and 24.6” (above the ergonomic standing desk)
  • It allows comfortable laptop visibility without head tilting for users between 4”10” and 6”2”
Typical monitor elevation of a laptop is 4.5″ from the standing desk.

Use books

Alternatively, you can go old-school and elevate the monitor on books. You can try out multiple books until the laptop reaches the eye level. The problem with laptops on standing desks is that they’re not at eye level (maximum height of 50.9” just isn’t enough).

Back pain is common for those working on a laptop on a standing desk.
  1. Lower your keyboard

The next issue you should take into account for ergonomics it the height of the keyboard. If you elevate your laptop on books, you should also use an external keyboard lower on the standing desk. This relieves pressure on the wrists and it also helps you reduce the pressure on the shoulders and neck. How is this possible? It’s all in that 90-degree angle of the keyboard which allows you to work with a laptop while enjoying the full ergonomic benefits of a standing desk.

  1. Consider standing desk with a keyboard tray

You might also want to consider a simpler route that involves purchasing a laptop standing desk with a keyboard tray. These aren’t as popular as you might believe, but they are specifically designed for laptops. As a result, you can work freely knowing your standing posture is always correct and enjoy your laptop at any height.

Selected best standing desk for laptops

Keeping these tips in mind, standorsit.com recommends the following standing desks with laptop compatibility.

  • Vivo Black Converter

If you already own a standing desk, Vivo Black is a simple option that already comes pre-installed. The best part is it elevates your laptop from 4” to 20”, right to the level of your eyes. It also features a lower-level keyboard for that 90-degree hand’s angle discussed above.

  • Seville Classics Airlift

Pneumatic height adjustment makes the small Seville Classics Airlift a standing desk converter as well. It works with a maximum elevation of 16.9”, which recommends it for short and average height users. Your keyboard and external laptop mouse can sit below the monitor on a dedicated tray as well.

  • Stand Up 2-Level Standing Desk

A more permanent solution comes with the 2-tier ergonomic standing desk from Stand Up. It turns the classic desk with a hutch into a standing desk with a 2-level design for better monitor placement. There’s a 4.5” difference between the lower tier (where the keyboard and mouse set) and the upper tier (where the laptop sits). It works with a laptop, a keyboard, and a mouse only or with a laptop and an external monitor.

Final considerations

A standing desk for laptops should also meet the same criteria as a regular standing desk. It should have a weight capacity of around 300lbs, good stability, quiet operation, 2-motor operation, and proper wire management.

You might also want to apply the same general tips when it comes to ergonomics and avoiding back pain while working. This includes taking breaks when needed or alternating sitting with standing.