Using an iPad as part of your desk setup can be a great way to add an extra screen that doubles as a laptop or even a keyboard. Still, as you design your setup, it helps to keep a few pointers in mind. If you are contemplating where to place your iPad on your desk, you have come to the right place.
Your iPad should be placed on your desk about 20 inches, or an arm’s length, from your eyes.
When designing your desk setup, keep this distance in mind and the height placement and ability of the iPad to be moved. Your iPad placement should also allow for free voluntary movement.
Suppose you are planning a setup for your desk that includes an iPad. In that case, these tips will help you make a few decisions regarding placement and helpful equipment available to you. Stick with us as we uncover the best placement options to answer the question: Where to put my iPad on my desk, once and for all.
How Far Should I Place My iPad From My Eyes On My Desk?
The first rule of ergonomic iPad placement is to consider your eyes. Since most of us need our eyes to keep up the grind, keep them in mind and follow good practices to maintain good eye health. An eyesight problem called Computer Vision Syndrome is caused by extended screen time in adults and children.
Computer Vision Syndrome has become a problem because the human eye was designed to hunt and gather food outdoors and not watch a screen all day.
When we look at iPad screens, our eyes have to focus in and out continuously to make out pixelated images. We also tend to keep the screen a little closer than a TV or PC monitor.
The solution is to keep the iPad a reasonable distance away from your eyes. The best distance is around 20 inches, or about an arm’s length away. When designing your setup, measure this distance from where your eyes will be at your desk and mark the stretch for when you place your iPad stand or monitor arm.
What Is A Good Height To Have Your iPad At Your Desk?
In the past year or two, video and video calls have become one of the leading social media marketing and communication forms. This trend has taken over corporate and private life and will also likely influence how high or low you place your iPad.
When deciding on the height to display your iPad, consider precisely how you sit or stand at your desk. While working, you need to look at your iPad without straining your back or neck.
It is a good idea to use an adjustable iPad stand or monitor arm so that you can change the height of your iPad to suit different chairs, postures or if you are standing instead of sitting at a particular moment. The ideal height of an iPad is with the camera at your eye level. If you follow this simple guideline, the screen will be at a good height for viewing, and you will also be ready for a video call or meeting at the press of a button. No adjusting is needed.
Where Should Your iPad Be In Relation To Your PC Monitor?
If you have a full PC setup, complete with a monitor, your iPad can work well as a second screen.
In this case, you could be tempted to place the iPad off to one side, but this is not necessarily the best practice for ergonomic success. We recommends placing your iPad as close to your primary monitor as possible. Having your screens directly, or as close to directly as possible, in front of you will help you keep your neck healthy.
Having your monitor and iPad on an adjustable stand or arm will allow you to move your screens as needed, especially if you need to use the iPad’s touch screen or facial recognition features. Try to keep the top of the screens at or just below your eye level for optimal comfort for your neck, back, and eyes.
We are particularly keen on the low-cost monitor arms you can purchase from Amazon. We don’t have a favorite brand, but we love that we can pull the screen closer, push it back for more space and change the height. We love the Ergotron iPad or tablet mount to safely attach the iPad or any tablet to a monitor arm.
We love that we can keep the iPad case on while using it and how easily we can stretch the corner clasps to place the iPad on or take it down.
General Ergonomic Guidelines For Using An iPad At A Desk
The guidelines for using an iPad at a desk are similar to those for using a laptop or PC monitor.
They come down to three major components:
- Posture
- Movement
- Rest
Let’s have a look at these in a little more detail.
Posture
Good posture goes a long way when working at a desk, especially with an iPad. Since iPad screens are smaller than most computer monitors, be mindful of keeping the screen a reasonable distance from your eyes. Place the top of the iPad at about eye level to help keep your back and neck in a neutral position. It also helps to keep the iPad in front of you to avoid straining your neck.
Movement
Moving naturally while you work is a great help when working at a desk and in front of a screen. Position your iPad in such a way that you can adjust the height and angle of the screen should you wish to stand for a few minutes, swivel in your chair, or move higher or lower as you sit. Moving voluntarily while working aids blood and oxygen flow and assists with concentration and focus.
Rest
The maximum time you should spend looking at a computer screen or iPad is two hours. At or before the two-hour mark, you need to give your eyes a break to avoid developing Computer Vision Syndrome. If possible, stand up, stretch your arms, back, and neck, and look into the distance for a few short minutes before returning to your work.
You will likely find that your productivity improves when you take these rests, as you give your brain, body and eyes a chance to refocus. You also allow more blood and oxygen to circulate through your system.
Conclusion
Having an iPad as part of your desk setup is a fantastic way to add a monitor and have your device ready for filming, watching a video, or participating in a video call or meeting. It is a great idea to place your iPad on an adjustable stand or monitor arm to allow you to move it as needed. Consider using an iPad or tablet mount to keep the iPad securely attached to the monitor arm.
Keep your iPad around 20 inches from your eyes and place the screen at about eye level for your back, neck, and eye health.
