Touch Screen Laptops
Touch screen laptops have the potential to revolutionize the way computers are used. Up until recently, it would have been difficult to imagine a fully functional computer without a keyboard attached to it. Touch screen laptops have the potential to change that. Touch screen laptop computers greatly reduce the need for a keyboard as they instead utilize commands entered directly on screen with a stylus or the user's finger. For most commands, a keyboard is completely unnecessary.
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History
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In 2008, Hewlett-Packard introduced the world's first consumer touch screen laptop. Using HP's TouchSmart technology, HP touch screen laptops enabled the user to open folders, select files and manipulate photos, in addition to performing other basic tasks completely on the computer monitor. Other manufacturer's like Toshiba and Gateway soon followed with their own touch screen laptop models.
Function
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Touch screen laptops allow the user to use a stylus or their finger in order to execute commands on the computer screen. Touch screen technology essentially eliminates the need for a mouse or keyboard. All information can be entered and manipulated directly on the laptop monitor itself.
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Benefits
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Touch screen laptops offer the user many potential benefits. For those who travel often, touch screen laptops are lightweight and more portable due to their decreased dependency on keyboard size. Some models can even be used without a keyboard altogether. In addition, with handwriting recognition software it is easy to write in cursive or print on screen in order to execute commands, eliminating the need for typing skills. This makes for a faster and more productive user experience.
Considerations
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While touch screen laptops are an exciting technology, there are some drawbacks. Because the technology is so new, not many applications are yet designed with touch screen technology directly in mind. Also, the costs of touch screen laptops are high. It may be a good idea to wait for prices to come down and for more applications to become available.
Potential
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As touch screen laptops become more common, prices will come down and more software applications will be compatible with touch screen technology. Currently, touch screen laptops are only available with Windows operating systems, although an Apple Macintosh touch screen laptop model is rumored to be in the works according to many technology blogs, including ZDnet (see resources below).
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