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Reduce Computer Screen Glare by Working in a Box

Reduce Computer Screen Glare by Working in a Box
Credit: Meghan Moravcik Walbert

Inevitably, at some point in the afternoon a few days every week, my son pops into my office to ask if I’ll come work outside in the backyard while he plays in the inflatable pool. Does he ask me to do this on cloudy days? No; cloudy days are not good pool days, you see. So I end up out there, in the sun, with spotty wifi and a screen covered in so much glare that I find myself constantly positioning and repositioning my laptop, trying to find the angle that will let me work with the least amount of frustration. At least, that’s what I used to do. Now I put my laptop in a box.

The idea came from Reddit user u/benlouislebu, who says:

Because it’s sunny [and] I want to work outside but it’s so bright I can’t really see the screen. Putting your laptop in a box blocks out the light, so your laptop screen is bright. It also keeps [the] laptop cooler.

For more on optimizing your workspace, check out the video below:

He’s right on both counts. And while you can use a very nice looking cardboard box like u/benlouislebu, I found that an old box that once held a case of one of our favorite local beers (shout out to the aptly named Always Sunny Pale Ale) also does the job. Sure, it’s a little beat up from transporting food and beverages back and forth on our annual family trip to the shore—but it blocks out the sun, keeps my laptop cooler to the touch and it reminds my neighbors that I enjoy a cold brew. This box is doing a lot of heavy lifting.

As a couple of Reddit commenters pointed out, though, you may want to cut a few holes into the cardboard for ventilation and/or raise your laptop up off the cardboard (perhaps by sliding two smaller pieces of cardboard underneath it on either side) if it seems like the vents are blocked and working overtime—particularly if you’re going to set up like this for a while.

Illustration of Meghan Moravcik Walbert
Meghan Moravcik Walbert
Managing Editor

Meghan Walbert is Lifehacker’s Managing Editor. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Kent State University and a graduate certificate in nonprofit leadership and management from Arizona State University. Meghan started her career as a reporter for The Arizona Republic, then worked in public relations for a career and tech high school and a private university. After her son was born, she freelanced for several years, writing primarily news and features articles as well as creative nonfiction.

When she and her husband became foster parents, she began writing and speaking about the experience and authored a 26-part Foster Parenting Diary Series for the New York Times, was named a BlogHer “Voice of the Year” two years in a row, and was a cast member of the “Listen To Your Mother” show. She also contributed to the 2016 anthology So Glad They Told Me: Women Get Real About Motherhood. Meghan has done a variety of radio and podcast interviews advocating for the need for more foster parents within the U.S. child welfare system. She was a keynote speaker for the New York State Citizens Coalition for Children’s annual Foster Care and Adoption Conference, and she served on the board of directors for One Simple Wish.

Some of Meghan’s favorite work for Lifehacker includes the publication of “Big Talks,” in which she and other writers aimed to help parents navigate the most serious conversations they’ll have to have with their kids over the course of their childhood, from sex and porn to online safety and divorce. She lives in Eastern Pennsylvania.

Read Meghan's full bio