Computer users have long know the dangers of sitting with poor posture for long periods in front of a monitor. From correct chair selection, to keyboard height and monitor alignment, desktop computer users have a host of guidelines to help them avoid injury.

In recent times with free laptop giveaways and cheap laptops available to buy, a lot more people are using their laptops in a leisure capacity at home. With the growth in use of home-owned laptops, another issue is being seen with alarming regularity by doctors and physiotherapists. Lower back pain with no other apparent cause is being traced back to the use of laptops whilst sitting on a sofa or armchair.

The primary cause appears to be that while using a laptop in this way the user holds their legs in an unnatural position in order to elevate the laptop to a usable level. This means the lower back can be strained leading to back problems and associated pain.

Generally it is easy enough to reverse the symptoms by not sitting with your laptop on your knee or on the coffee table whilst you sit on the sofa. One alternative is to sit properly at a dining table with the same posture you would use for a desktop PC. Another suggestion is to lie on your front on the floor with the laptop in front of you, although it is harder to type properly with this method. What is not recommended is that you continue to sit with the laptop on top of your lap.

Even those users who do not experience back pain from using their laptop on the sofa in this way should consider changing their ways in case symptoms should occur.

Perhaps a wholesale name change needs to take effect. The word laptop really conjures up an image of lounging around with your computer on your lap. A browse through major manufacturers’ websites shows they use the terms laptop and notebook for this type of PC. It is only a matter of time before someone tests the name legally after experiencing this type of back pain.

In summary, using a laptop on your lap whilst sitting on a sofa appears to be a cause of back pain for many people but it is easily avoided by changing the way you use your laptop.

Due to popular demand we’ve bought in more Dell laptops, We’ve got plenty recent models such as Dell Inpiron 500m and 510m featuring 1.4Ghz and 1.7Ghz Pentium M processors, 512MB RAM and are WIFI and Bluetooth enabled providing excellent connectivity options.

Also added this week is a Dell Inspiron 2200, all black in nice condition equipped with a 1.4Ghz Pentium M, 512MB RAM, 20GB HDD, WIFI and DVD/CDRW drive. Plus a Dell Latitude 510 with a 1.6Ghz Pentium M, 512MB RAM, 20GB HDD, WIFI and Bluetooth these are excellent workhorse laptops.

Soon we’ll be adding a whole bunch of Dell Latitude C400’s which are great portable laptops, so keep checking the stock lists!

Just added a superb second-user Dell Inspiron 1300, in excellent all round condition it’s sure to go fast. Equipped with a 1.5GHz Intel Celeron M processor, huge 768MB RAM with 128MB Graphics it can handle most tasks with ease. It also features built in wireless, a healthy 40GB hard drive and a DVD-RW. Priced at £189.99 grab it today!

Acers Reduced to clear!

A batch of new (box opened) Acer Aspire 5310 laptops in the lovely Gemstone design. These feature 80GB hard drives (plenty room for music, photos etc.) 1GB RAM, DVD-RW and built in WIFI for wireless internet access. They also feature a healthy Intel Celeron 520M processor (1.6Ghz) and are running Vista Home Basic.

Check them out, priced to clear at £249.99, grab a nice Acer laptop before they’re gone!

Bargain Dual Core laptop added today - 1 Year old Compaq NX6325. Features 2x 1.6Ghz AMD Turion64 x2 Processors, 60GB HDD, 1GB RAM, DVD/CDRW combo and multicard reader ideal for those with digital camera’s. Further features include integral WIFI and fingerprint recognition!

It comes complete with all manuals, original box and mains adaptor.

Just added to the site this week a batch of new (box opened) Acer Aspire 5310 laptops in the lovely Gemstone design. These feature 80GB hard drives (plenty room for music, photos etc.) 1GB RAM, DVD-RW and built in WIFI for wireless internet access. They also feature a healthy Intel Celeron 520M processor (1.6Ghz) and are running Vista Home Basic.

Check them out, priced to clear at £265, grab a nice Acer laptop before they’re gone!

Just added to the website aDell D600 Great quality used Dell laptop, with built in Wifi these are great all-purpose laptops.

Also added some great 15.4″ widescreen laptops, a Compaq C300 and a very smart Tiny 2.2Ghz used laptop. The Compaq features a great high gloss X-Black screen providing excellent picture quality.