Editing Laptop (section)

====Ergonomics and health effects====

;Wrists: Prolonged use of laptops can cause [[repetitive strain injury]] because of their small, flat keyboard and trackpad pointing devices.<ref>{{cite web |last=Toub |first=Allegra |title=Take It Easy on Those Keyboards |publisher=Backlight Resumes |date=23 May 2017 |url=http://blog.backlightresumes.com/take-it-easy-on-those-keyboards |access-date=23 May 2017}}</ref> Usage of separate, external [[ergonomic keyboard]]s and pointing devices is recommended to prevent injury when working for long periods of time; they can be connected to a laptop easily by USB, [[Bluetooth]] or via a docking station. Some health standards require ergonomic keyboards at workplaces.
;Neck and spine: A laptop's integrated screen often requires users to lean over for a better view, which can cause neck or spinal injuries. A larger and higher-quality external screen can be connected to almost any laptop to alleviate this and to provide additional screen space for more productive work. Another solution is to use a [[Docking station#Computer stands|computer stand]].
;Possible effect on fertility: A study by [[State University of New York]] researchers found that heat generated from laptops can increase the temperature of the lap of male users when balancing the computer on their lap, potentially putting [[sperm count]] at risk. The study, which included roughly two dozen men between the ages of 21 and 35, found that the sitting position required to balance a laptop can increase scrotum temperature by as much as {{convert|2.1|C-change|0}}. However, further research is needed to determine whether this directly affects male [[infertility|sterility]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=You Asked: Can Using a Laptop Make You Infertile?|url=https://time.com/4938530/can-laptops-cause-infertility/|access-date=9 November 2021|magazine=Time|language=en}}</ref> A later 2010 study of 29 males published in ''Fertility and Sterility'' found that men who kept their laptops on their laps experienced scrotal hyperthermia (overheating) in which their scrotal temperatures increased by up to {{convert|2.0|C-change|0}}. The resulting heat increase, which could not be offset by a laptop cushion, may increase male infertility.<ref name="study1">{{cite journal |author1=Yefim Sheynkin |author2=Robert Welliver |author3=Andrew Winer |author4=Farshid Hajimirzaee |author5=Hongshik Ahn |author6=Kyewon Lee |journal=Fertility and Sterility |date=8 November 2010 |title=Protection from scrotal hyperthermia in laptop computer users |doi=10.1016/j.fertnstert.2010.10.013 |url=http://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(10)02689-0/abstract |volume=95 |issue=2 |pages=647–651 |pmid=21055743|doi-access=free |issn=0015-0282 }}</ref><ref name="Yin">{{cite web|url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2372317,00.asp|title=Study: Laptop Pads Don't Prevent Male Infertility|last=Yin|first=Sara|date=8 November 2010|work=[[PC Magazine]]|access-date=8 November 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-laptop-testicles-idUSTRE6A457320101108|title=Is your laptop cooking your testicles?|date=8 November 2010|work=Reuters|access-date=8 November 2010}}</ref><ref name="Caulfield">{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/health/2010/11/07/2010-11-07_study_finds_men_who_place_laptop_computer_on_lap_put_testicles_at_risk_of_overhe.html|title=Study finds men who place laptop computer on lap put testicles at risk of overheating, infertility|last=Caulfield|first=Philip|date=7 November 2010|work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|access-date=8 November 2010|archive-date=10 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101110061017/http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/health/2010/11/07/2010-11-07_study_finds_men_who_place_laptop_computer_on_lap_put_testicles_at_risk_of_overhe.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Joelving">{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6A457320101108|title=Is your laptop cooking your testicles?|last=Joelving|first=Frederik|date=8 November 2010|access-date=8 November 2010|work=Reuters}}</ref> [[File:laptop-coaster.jpg|thumb|[[Laptop cooler]] (silver) under laptop (white), preventing heating of lap and improving laptop airflow]]<br>A common practical solution to this problem is to place the laptop on a table or desk or to use a book or pillow between the body and the laptop.{{Citation needed|date=February 2012}} Another solution is to obtain a cooling unit for the laptop. These are usually USB powered and consist of a hard thin plastic case housing one, two, or three cooling fans&nbsp;– with the entire assembly designed to sit under the laptop in question&nbsp;– which results in the laptop remaining cool to the touch, and greatly reduces laptop heat buildup.

;Thighs:Heat generated from using a laptop on the lap can also cause skin discoloration on the thighs known as "[[toasted skin syndrome]]".<ref>{{cite journal |last=Levinbook |first=WS. |author2=Mallet J |author3=Grant-Kels JM |title=Laptop computer—associated erythema ab igne |journal=Cutis |volume=80 |issue=4 |pages=319–20|date=October 2007 |publisher=Quadrant HealthCom |pmid=18038695}}</ref><ref name="Diaz">{{cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/5657721/what-is-toasted-skin-syndrome|title=What Is Toasted Skin Syndrome?|last=Diaz|first=Jesus|date=7 October 2010 |website=Gizmodo|access-date=8 November 2010}}</ref><ref name="Hendrick">{{cite web|url=http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/news/20101004/laptop-risk-toasted-skin-syndrome|title=Laptop Risk: 'Toasted Skin Syndrome'|last=Hendrick|first=Bill|date=4 October 2010|website=WebMD|access-date=8 November 2010}}</ref><ref name="TANNER">{{cite news|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/39490660|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130301044434/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/39490660|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 March 2013|title=Laptops lead to 'toasted skin syndrome'|last=Tanner|first=Lindsey|date=10 April 2010 |agency=Associated Press|access-date=8 November 2010}}</ref>