I've been fortunate enough to have moved close to the ocean and am
relishing the thought of using the beach as my "2nd office".  The only
problem that I can see is that I do most of my work on a laptop and it
can be hard to view the screen of a laptop in an environment with
bright light (e.g. outside).  I'm wondering if anyone has come up with
a creative solution to this that would allow someone to work outdoors
on a laptop comfortably and without straining their eyes.

For the record, I have an IBM Thinkpad T40.  

Let me know if this question requires any further clarification. 
Thanks!

---

Request for Question Clarification by pinkfreud-ga on 30 Aug 2003 12:40 PDT

A similar question was asked on GA earlier this month, and the answer
(provided by my friend and colleague knowledge_seeker-ga) was so
excellent that I doubt anyone could improve upon it.

Please examine the options discussed here, and see if they meet your
needs:

http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=238526

If the information in the answer linked above is useful, I suggest
that the fee for your question should go to knowledge_seeker, whose
work on this matter seems to me unsurpassable. If you agree, I'm sure
that, if asked, knowledge_seeker would be glad to repost the
information here, as the answer to your question.

---

Clarification of Question by jpbischke-ga on 30 Aug 2003 13:31 PDT

Yup.  That answer was pretty much what I was looking for.  If the
previous researcher would like to repost here I would be happy to
consider that a five-star answer!

Hi jpbischke-ga,


Well isn't this a pleasant surprise!  

Thank your for accepting my previously posted answer and thanks to
PinkFreud for recommending it.

Ok here is the list I provided to the other customer. I'm glad it
worked out for you.




---------------- 
 
NAVSTORE  
http://www.navstore.com/laptop_glare_stopper.asp 
 
 
LAPTOP GLARE STOPPER 
$25 
 
Full coverage, face-surface mounted antiglare hood with a back-light,
glare reduction taper. Four-sided design is the most effective method
of reducing top, side, and keyboard glare, indoors or out.
 
Folds flat for easy storage. Velcro mounting strips included. 
 
 
ADJUSTABLE LAPTOP SUN VISOR 
Sale Price: $29.95 
 
Adjustable, one-size-fits-all glare eliminator 
 
This company does offer UPS next day air in the US. 
 
--------------------------- 
 
 
PC SHADE FOR 15 INCH LAPTOP MONITORS 
http://www.yourmobiledesk.com/products/proddetail.cfm?prodID=3150&catID=75&subcatID=731&sscatID=na&mfrID=159
 
PC SHADE FOR 13 TO 14 INCH LAPTOP MONITORS 
http://www.yourmobiledesk.com/products/proddetail.cfm?prodID=3374&catID=75&subcatID=731&sscatID=na&mfrID=159
 
Price: $32.95 
 
Order online or --- 
 
To place an order via: Email: sales@yourmobiledesk.com 
Telephone: Toll free 1-877-397-5253 or 1-516-628-2346      
Fax: 1-516-628-0300 
       
We utilize United Parcel Service (UPS) as a shipper of preference. We
ship daily Monday-Friday. Any order placed after 1:00 PM Friday will
be shipped on Monday.
 
YOUR MOBIL DESK – CUSTOMER SERVICE 
http://www.yourmobiledesk.com/main/custserv.cfm 
 
 
------------ 
 
LAP TRAVELER 
http://www.laptraveler.com/lapaccessories.htm 
 [scroll way down for these products]  
 
Adjustable Visor Portable Hood 
$34.95 
 
 
The Original Patented PC Shade 
$39.95 
 
Glare Stopper 
$34.95 
 
Offers overnight shipping. 
 
-------------- 
 
LAPTOP GLARE ELIMINATOR HOOD  
http://store.yahoo.com/laptoptravel/lapglarelscr.html 
 
 
A portable hood shade for your laptop screen eliminates glare,
improves screen visibility and reduces eye strain -- especially in a
vehicle or outdoor environment.
 
$19.95 
 
Offers Fedex and priority overnight shipping (next morning) 
 
------------------------------ 
 
PRIVATE EYE – 
 
CANOPY-CASE 
LAPTOP COMPUTER CASE & PRIVACY / GLARE SCREEN 
http://www.privateeyecases.com/softcase.html 
 
$189.95 
 
Includes:  
 
8 accessory pockets expand to provide the capacity of a large,
soft-sided briefcase, providing significant carrying capacity when
used as one of the allowable two carry-on bags.
 
Your Private EyeŽ case can be conveniently opened (unfolded) and
closed even in the narrow confines of an economy airline seat.
 
 
FOLDING VISOR 
http://www.privateeyecases.com/cliponshield.html 
 
$29.95 
 
Once attached to your computer, it need never be removed, as it is
quickly and easily closed into an unobtrusive folded position (below).
Other visors must be removed and stored separately before the computer
can be closed and/or provide only minimal shielding.
 
Shipping via Airborne Express, UPS, or FedEx 
 
 
--------------------------- 
 
COMPUSHADE 
http://www.compushade.com/laptop.htm 
 
One adjustable size model fits virtually all laptops 
(10 inch to 18 inch models). 
 
 $24.95  
 
Ships within one day – does not indicate shipping method 
------------------- 
 
Hoodman for Laptop Sunshade 
http://www.normancamera.com/shop/SearchResults.asp?ProdStock=E2000 
 
$39.95 
 
Unable to find shipping information, but they can be phoned at:
800-900-6676
 
NORMAL CAMERA – CONTACT PAGE 
http://www.normancamera.com/company/info.asp 
 
 
------------------ 
 
COMPUVISOR 
http://store.yahoo.com/directron/1130570.html 
 
On Sale: 19.95 
 
The convenient, portable way to eliminate glare on all of today's
notebook and laptop computers. The smart way to eliminate "screen
washout..
 
Adjustable, one-size-fits-all, for notebook and laptop computers; Easy
to attach & remove, Radius edges allow comfortable keyboard access;
Compact lightweight design - folds conveniently into your briefcase or
computer carrying case;
 
Offers Fedex and UPS Next Day Air 
 
-------------------- 
 
ADJUSTVISOR 
http://store.yahoo.com/rwg/adscreenvis.html 
 
$24.95 
 
A portable hood for your laptop screen eliminates glare, improves
screen visibility and reduces eye strain -- especially in a vehicle or
outdoor environment.
 
Offers next Day Air 
 
----------------------- 
 

Thank you again – and happy travels! 
 
-K~ 

Search strategy: 
 
FROOGLE  
http://froogle.google.com/ 
 
terms:  
 
laptop glare sun 
laptop sun shade 
laptop visor  
laptop hood 
laptop privacy

Awesome work.  This will definitely give me the solution I'm looking for.

polarized sunglasses might help, but depending on your laptop you
might have to tilt your head to one side.

There's a laptop case with a built-in hood, www.thegatch.com , great
for using your laptop outdoors.