An investigation of the effects of touchpad location within a notebook computer

This study evaluated effects of the location of a notebook computer's integ rated touchpad, complimenting previous work in the area of desktop mouse lo cation effects. Most often integrated touchpads are located in the computer 's wrist rest, and centered on the keyboard. This study characterized effec ts of this bottom center location and four alternatives (top center, top ri ght, right side, and bottom right) upon upper extremity posture, discomfort , preference, and performance. Touchpad location was found to significantly impact each of those measures. The top center location was particularly po or, in that it elicited more ulnar deviation, more shoulder flexion, more d iscomfort, and perceptions of performance impedance. In general, the bottom center, bottom right, and right side locations fared better, though subjec ts' wrists were more extended in the bottom locations. Suggestions for note book computer design are provided. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All right s reserved.