Latest news with #ergonomics
Gizmodo
2 days ago
- Gizmodo
Foldable Laptop Stand for Less Than $10? Students Are Snapping It Up Fast for Back-to-School
Hunching over a laptop every afternoon can turn a study session into a neck-cramping marathon, yet most of us accept the strain because our computers sit flat by design. The Laptop Stand for Desk makes a different choice. This compact little frame unfolds in seconds, nudges the screen closer to eye level, and angles the keyboard so wrists rest naturally instead of bending like a hinge. It is the sort of low-cost accessory that disappears under the computer but quietly rewrites the workday. Head over to Amazon to get the Laptop Stand for Desk for just $8, down from its usual price of $10. That is 20% off. See at Amazon Out of the box the stand feels almost like a travel gadget, light in the hand and pleasingly simple. Two brushed-aluminum panels swing apart to form a stable A-shape, and small silicone pads on each arm keep the laptop from drifting while also shielding the casing from scratches. Six height notches tuck into a central rail. The lowest setting offers a gentle tilt, while the highest lifts the rear edge a good fist above the desk, perfect for pairing with an external keyboard. Changing positions takes seconds, handy if you swap from drafting an essay to drawing thumbnails. Raising the back edge creates a space the thickness of a paperback beneath the machine. That gap is not just empty air, it is a cool breeze for hardworking fans. Heat no longer pools under the chassis, so the computer keeps pace during long video calls or multi-tab research dives without sounding like a desk fan. Cooler keys also mean palms stay comfortable during extended typing sprints. Port access remains wide open. Charging cables slide in straight, flash drives avoid awkward bends, and headphone wires run clear instead of kinking at the plug. Cleanup is just as easy. A wipe with a cloth removes dust from the aluminum beams, and the silicone grips spring back even after months of daily clamping. When the study session ends, the stand folds flatter than a slim notebook. It slips into the drawstring pouch included in the box, then disappears between folders in a backpack. The entire bundle weighs about as much as a power adapter, so it never feels like extra baggage, and friends often ask to borrow it once they notice the improved posture. The Laptop Stand for Desk is still available for $8 at Amazon, a small spend that pays off in cooler hardware and happier shoulders compared with its regular $10 price. See at Amazon
CNET
09-07-2025
- Business
- CNET
Prime Day Deal: I Can't Shut Up About This Cheap Lap Desk That's 22% Off on Amazon Right Now
Amazon Prime Day sale: I've got a lot of nice things to say about Huanuo's adjustable lap desk, and it's a great time to check it yourself while it's $21 -- or about 22% off -- on Amazon for Prime Day. At the end of every year my wife and I catalog important changes and milestones in a little journal. This year I'll probably mention my new role at work, more time commuting on the train, new progressive lens glasses and the joy of laptop-console game cross-saves. And for our "best new purchases" category there's my new lap desk, which makes all those things better. The desk is made by some company I've never heard of called Huanuo, and I found it by randomly browsing Amazon, but I love it. It takes care of one thing I need, and it does it very well: It raises my laptop screen higher so I don't have to bend my neck down as far to see it clearly. Without a lap desk, I find myself looking down uncomfortably at the screen. That became more of an issue when I got progressive lenses, which require me to bow my head farther to get the screen in focus. Raising it up to where I can see it better is a game-changer (literally, because I also play games on a laptop). The Huanuo can raise the screen to different levels, and it's big and sturdy enough to handle my 2021 MacBook Pro 16. To save space, I like to stash my phone and charger in the gap created underneath. The lap desk has nice cushioned pads and collapses to fit inside my backpack. I also use it at home on the couch or in bed. One downside is that the angle of the keyboard and touchpad can get awkward after a while. And I'm sure you could get a nicer lap desk for a bit more money, especially if you don't need it to collapse or fit on a single seat on a commuter train. But this one works great for me and the price is (very) right. For more, don't forget to check out the best laptop deals and the best deals under $25 during Amazon's Prime Day sales event..
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
D.A. Davidson MCF International Acts as Exclusive Financial Advisor to Southworth International Group, Inc. on its Acquisition of Gruse Maschinenbau GmbH & Co.
BOSTON, July 01, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--D.A. Davidson MCF International announced that it served as exclusive financial advisor to Southworth International Group, Inc. (SIGI), a global provider of ergonomic material handling solutions, in its acquisition of Gruse Maschinenbau GmbH & Co., an established manufacturer of engineered industrial lifting solutions. "Southworth is a highly respected material handling business that we have enjoyed a long-standing relationship with, so we are thrilled to be able to help them strengthen their capabilities in Europe through the acquisition of Gruse," said Chris Donegan, Managing Director at D.A. Davidson. Headquartered in Falmouth, Maine, SIGI provides material handling solutions for a variety of sectors and applications. The company employees 500 people across its global locations in North America, Europe, and China, serving over 60 countries around the world. Headquartered in Aerzen, Germany, Gruse Maschinenbau is a mechanical engineering company specializing in customized lifting solutions that support production processes and optimize material handling, serving customers in 55 countries worldwide. "Supporting Southworth in this strategic cross-border acquisition illustrates the strength of the D.A. Davidson MCF International platform," added Paul Colone, Managing Director at D.A. Davidson. "We're proud to help clients navigate the complexities of international transactions and achieve strong outcomes on a global scale." D.A. Davidson Investment Banking is a leading full-service investment bank that offers comprehensive financial advisory and capital markets expertise. The group has extensive transaction experience serving middle-market clients worldwide across four industry verticals: Consumer, Diversified Industrials, Financial Institutions, and Technology. Together with its European strategic partner, MCF Corporate Finance, D.A. Davidson originates and executes transatlantic M&A transactions under the common brand of D.A. Davidson MCF International. About D.A. Davidson D.A. Davidson Companies is an employee-owned financial services firm offering a range of financial services and advice to individuals, corporations, institutions and municipalities nationwide. Founded in 1935 with corporate headquarters in Great Falls, Montana, and regional headquarters in Denver, Greater Los Angeles, New York, Omaha and Seattle, the company has approximately 1,600 employees and offices in 30 states. Subsidiaries include: D.A. Davidson & Co., a full-service investment firm providing wealth management, investment banking, equity and fixed income capital markets services, and advice; Davidson Investment Advisors, a professional asset management firm; D.A. Davidson Trust Company, a trust and wealth management company; and Davidson Fixed Income Management, a registered investment advisor providing fixed income portfolio and advisory services. For more information, visit View source version on Contacts Deal Team Contacts: Chris Donegan, Managing Director | cdonegan@ Paul Colone, Managing Director | pcolone@ Media Contact: Emily RoyProsek for D.A. Davidson(646) 818-9232eroy@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Associated Press
30-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
AndaSeat's Novis Series Responds to 2025 Work Trends with Passive Ergonomics and Compact Design
AndaSeat's Novis Series Responds to 2025 Work Trends with Passive Ergonomics and Compact Design SPOKANE, WA, UNITED STATES, June 30, 2025 / / -- As organizations continue to adapt to a reshaped professional landscape, the nature of work is being steadily redefined. With 2025 signaling the continued rise of hybrid models, AI-driven workflows, and an increased focus on workplace well-being, seating design is facing new demands. AndaSeat 's Novis Series is positioned within this context—not as a sales product, but as a case study in how physical tools are evolving alongside work itself. From Automation to Adaptation: Rethinking Physical Tools in a Digital Workspace The emergence of intelligent systems and collaborative AI has accelerated the pace and complexity of workplace environments. For many professionals, this has resulted in an unpredictable blend of screen time, cognitive load, and physical immobility. Seating—often overlooked as a passive background item—has become an increasingly important factor in supporting sustained focus and adaptability. The Novis Series, introduced by AndaSeat, was developed as part of the company's broader investigation into passive ergonomics and compact utility. Its design stems from research on constrained work environments, such as shared apartments, mobile studios, or hybrid home-office settings. What distinguishes Novis within AndaSeat's catalog is not its specification sheet, but its scale-conscious engineering and non-linear support logic. The chair's compact footprint is not a limitation but an intentional response to the new economics of space. As knowledge workers move between high-cognition AI workflows and traditional collaborative formats, the need for flexible yet invisible physical support has grown. Rather than imposing aggressive mechanical adjustments or oversized hardware, Novis functions with a subtler logic—built-in dynamic lumbar support, muted motion response, and compressed spatial requirements. Supporting the Hybrid Rhythm: A Structural Approach to Nonlinear Work Patterns The reconfiguration of the traditional 9-to-5 has introduced novel challenges to product designers. Instead of designing for eight-hour uniformity, companies are now building for fragmentation: users might alternate between deep-focus tasks, quick collaboration sessions, and passive content absorption throughout the day. The Novis Series was built to accommodate these shifts not through presets but through passive conformance. Its backrest, for instance, does not force a fixed ergonomic mold. Instead, it allows slight shifts in posture to be met with calibrated resistance. The integrated lumbar mechanism reacts to weight and movement, without requiring constant manual readjustment. This low-interruption design principle is especially relevant to users immersed in distributed or digital-first workflows, where cognitive continuity is often more valuable than frequent physical adjustments. AndaSeat's internal testing processes for Novis focused on surface tension distribution, skeletal alignment, and micro-movement adaptability. These parameters were not introduced for marketing value but were guided by user interviews and observational studies of remote work behavior. The outcome was a seating profile that does not dominate a space but rather recedes, leaving room for work to take visual and functional precedence. Compact Doesn't Mean Compromised: A Quiet Evolution in Ergonomic Thinking One of the underlying assumptions being challenged in 2025 is the notion that more visible adjustments or larger equipment equates to better performance. Novis rejects this idea in favor of proportionate ergonomics. By using cold-cure molded foam with controlled density gradients, the seat achieves prolonged pressure distribution without needing supplemental cushioning. While it supports a range of body types and seating preferences, the Novis design does not aim to impress through excessive feature layering. Instead, it relies on measured response systems, including a calibrated recline angle and structured base integration. These allow for subtle posture variations during activities such as coding, video conferencing, or ideation sessions. AndaSeat's CEO, Lin Zhou, notes that such minimal yet intentional engineering reflects a shift in product philosophy across industries. 'The future of work isn't just about tools that do more,' Zhou explains. 'It's about tools that get out of the way—tools that enable flow without needing constant engagement.' That principle is evident in the way Novis fits into physical and visual environments. Its profile avoids dominance, making it suitable for multi-use spaces, including shared rooms or flexible home workstations. In this way, the chair participates in the new working aesthetic, where functionality and discretion are treated not as trade-offs, but as converging values. A Mid-Year Milestone, Not a Marketing Push The timing of Novis's availability as part of AndaSeat's mid-year product window coincides with broader shifts in user behavior. The June period often marks a season of transition: students enter the workforce, employees relocate, or households reorganize their living spaces. AndaSeat's decision to open broader access to Novis during this window is less about pricing visibility and more about context alignment. Internally, AndaSeat uses this cycle to gather feedback on spatial compatibility, packaging efficiency, and usage alignment. With Novis, one of the key metrics being observed is how users incorporate the chair into non-dedicated spaces—bedroom corners, temporary desks, or modular setups. The chair's success is measured not by aesthetic praise but by its capacity to disappear behind the task. This approach represents a departure from more aggressive sales cycles. While other brands emphasize urgency or exclusivity, AndaSeat's focus remains on user rhythm. As Zhou puts it, 'We're not creating time-limited value. We're trying to meet people where they are, when they're reevaluating how they work.' Future-Proofing Through Neutral Design As conversations around sustainability and longevity intensify across sectors, the Novis Series offers another form of future readiness: visual neutrality and mechanical persistence. Its design avoids overt styling cues or material fads, opting instead for durable finishes, simplified contours, and mechanical components that require minimal intervention. In 2025, users increasingly expect products to accommodate both personal and professional functions—often within the same square meter. Novis was not positioned as a flagship, but its adoption patterns suggest it fills a strategic void: one where technical rigor supports evolving definitions of productivity. AndaSeat continues to refine its seating architectures based on environmental observations and feedback from diverse user profiles. In this way, Novis does not mark the end of innovation but a calibration point within it—a snapshot of what it means to sit, work, and think in 2025. For further information about AndaSeat's ergonomic developments or the design context behind the Novis Series, visit the company's official communications portal. Caroline Chen AndaSeat email us here Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook YouTube TikTok X Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
WIRED
28-06-2025
- WIRED
This Staples FlexFit Desk Converter Is Well-Priced and Reliable
The included keyboard rest is optional to install, though the whole thing is designed to work together. It's a little annoying. I wish you could roll the tray into the riser to hide it, which would go a long way in making the FlexFit look a little more elegant, and could also help with storage. You also can't adjust the height of the tray, so while I didn't have issues typing on a keyboard, I found my wrist cramping up a little when using my Apple Magic Trackpad because it was a little too low. This may or may not be an issue for you—I'm 6'4" and my limbs are weirdly proportioned. The FlexFit desk converter ranges in height from 5.9 to 19.6 inches. That's a solid range overall (13 inches total), and I didn't have any trouble using the riser in a sitting position either. Crucially, my monitor has a height-adjustable stand, which helped me position it so that my eyes always hit the top of the screen—that may be something to consider. The gas-lift height adjustment lever is on the right, and it moves the desk smoothly up and down. Even if you pull it, the whole riser won't crash down—you need to put a little pressure on the desk to have it slide. The whole thing feels sturdy without much wobble. All Black Photograph: Julian Chokkattu It's a black laminate desktop and a black metal base, all of which is fine, but a little boring, especially if you have a nice-looking desk. There's a groove on the desktop to route a few cables through to charge devices. Staples includes a few cable organizers in the box so you can route things neatly. The FlexFit does the job—plop it on a surface, and you'll be able to bring your workstation up to use while standing, or down to use while sitting. Just remember that you shouldn't be sitting all day, but you shouldn't be standing the whole time either. Mix it up, and take frequent breaks with short walks if you can. There's not much in the way of other features—it'd be nice if Staples had a monitor arm mount to pair with this riser to save some space. You can find cheaper converters from the likes of Flexispot, though I think the FlexFit looks better. Still, Branch's Desk Riser isn't too far in price and kills it on aesthetics. Staples has a better 5-year warranty, though. If you want to try it before committing, the return window is 14 days after receipt.
