Looking for a new laptop involves plenty of factors to consider. Apart from checking its specs and assessing its hardware and memory, we also need to contemplate whether we need a regular laptop, an expensive gaming model or opt for those new ones with touchscreens.
The touchscreen feature is usually found on todays modern crop of convertible, 2-in-one laptops and a few non-convertible models.
Like any other laptop feature, touchscreens have their pros and cons. To make sure that you really need this feature, let this article become your guide on all things touchscreen laptops.
Know the essentials on this type of laptop first before making a purchase.
The Functions of the Touchscreen Feature on Laptops
There are two common types of touchscreens used in laptops; the resistive type and the capacitive type.
Resistive
The resistive touchscreen is composed of two layers. To work, it relies on pressure from the users touch. These layers both come with electric currents and are kept apart from each other; one is resistive while the other is conductive.
Whenever you touch the screen, its resistive layer has a hard feel and gets in touch with the conductive layer. This point of contact leads to a change in electric current. The software acknowledges this change and starts to perform its task of either opening, closing or swiping an application.
Resistive touchscreen displays are not capable of accommodating several fingers simultaneously since the software can only distinguish a single point of contact.
Capacitive
Capacitive touchscreen displays are only composed of a single layer. This layer also functions as coordinates. For the touchscreen to work, it needs to get in contact with the human body, which stores an electrical charge. When we touch a capacitive touchscreen display, this point of contact shifts the electrical energy flow on the screen.
Unlike the resistive touchscreen, capacitive ones are allowed to distinguish several points of contact. Thats why it can accommodate multi-touch features and multiple fingers. This type of touchscreen display also allows zooming in and out.
Advantages of Touchscreen Laptop Displays
Know more about the benefits of using touchscreen display on laptops:
Straightforward, faster navigation
The touchscreen feature on laptops was developed primarily to make navigation easier and more convenient. Users get to perform plenty of tasks using this feature compared to trackpads and mouse devices. Launching applications and shifting between them is also made simpler.
In addition, when the trackpad malfunctions, you can also use the touchscreen feature to accomplish your tasks. The same can be said when your keyboard fails to work.
Great for drawing and note-taking
Artists and graphic designers will find that a touchscreen feature on their laptops is more convenient for their activities. There are specific laptop models which are equipped with a stylus and a touchscreen display so users can easily create sketches of artworks on the fly.
A stylus and touchscreen display combo is also a convenient feature package for students since it removes the need to tote several notebooks for classes.
High-quality, expressive displays
Touchscreen laptops often come with excellent brightness and better colour accuracy, vibrancy and reproduction compared to standard ones. Most models with this feature also have displays with higher resolution.
Touchscreen displays are glossy so they can respond to touch better than matte ones. Due to their excellent colour accuracy and brightness, lots of users who often work with colour choose touchscreen models.
The Disadvantages of Touchscreen Laptop Displays
The touchscreen feature has its disadvantages too, and they are the following:
It drains batteries quickly
Laptops with touchscreen features are built with another set of processing tasks for the computers hardware due to the inclusion of a touch panel. If you intend to use this feature frequently, then you need to have a spare battery on standby.
Its more expensive
The touchscreen feature is one aspect included on the laptop; thus, it adds to the price of the model as well. Furthermore, there are manufacturers who provide higher-resolution touchscreen displays too, thereby elevating its costs.
It adds weight to the laptop.
Once more, the inclusion of additional technology on the computer adds bulk and space, therefore making the laptop heavier. While the weight difference comes in grams, this can be noticeable in laptops.
Its more challenging to view in direct light
Laptops with touchscreen displays are ideal to use in areas with dim lighting, but it can be a bother to use in direct light. Touchscreen models often have glossy finishes so it can respond faster to touch, but this type of finish is also a magnet for smudges, fingerprints and the like.
Touchscreen and Non-Touchscreen Laptops: Which One Fares Better?
For people who use laptops with touchscreen displays, they mention that the touchscreen feature makes them more productive since it helps them accomplish tasks faster.
Touchscreen models are very feasible for specific tasks, like taking notes and doing creative work from sketching to drawing. Navigating the display is made faster and more convenient just by using one finger or more.
In addition, touchscreen models are aesthetically-pleasing and have excellent colour accuracy and brightness, too. Its recommended for people who often work with colour.
However, as discussed earlier, these models also have their disadvantages. They can be heavier than regular laptops, more expensive and drain batteries faster.Thus, when it comes to this feature, you need to identify your needs first and check where the advantages of touchscreen models fit and accommodate those needs.
If you are a student or a creative, maybe touchscreen models are more your speed since it makes note-taking and arty activities faster to accomplish.
However, if you think you can get by with the features of a regular laptop, thats a good decision as well. There is nothing wrong with purchasing the standards.
Each and every one of us has our own preferences, especially when it comes to gadgets. Several features on a laptop might be a win for you, but may be inapplicable for other people.
In the end, the laptop that you must get should be a model that will accommodate all of your needs from such gadgets.
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