Designing Notebook Computers to Ensure a Comfortable User Experience: Effects of Surface Temperature, Material, Locality, and Ambient Temperature

Two studies are described to determine the effect of locality, age, gender, ambient temperature, surface material and surface temperature, on user annoyance during a typing task on notebook computers. The studies were conducted in Oregon and Taiwan, using real computers modified with heaters under the keyboard and palm rests. Computer chassis made from both metal and plastic were studied, and users were exposed to ambient temperatures of both 23 °C and 35 °C. No practically significant effect of locality, age, gender, or ambient temperature was observed, but the ergonomic comfort between metal and plastic surfaces was very different at the same temperature.