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would you want a touchscreen on your laptop?
- Thread starter ghanwani
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The only way I’d maybe want a touch screen laptop is as a side consequence of wanting pen input. But if we’re only talking touch, then overall I’d say no. If in an ideal world touch was an option that existed with no trade offs, then I’d say sure why not, I might use it here and there. But in reality, touch screen adds cost, thickness, and weight. And even if it’s only barely noticeable, touch screen on a laptop is that unnecessary to me.
I’ve done that once or twice, but I’ve also done the opposite. I use my MacBook for awhile then use my iPad with keyboard and go to touch the nonexistent trackpad 😆. Our muscles get used to anything it seems.
What confuses me is what would be the reason for not wanting a touch screen? If you didn't need it, you wouldn't use it.
What is the downside of having it?
I personally don't really have a use for one, but if there were 2 macs for the same price one with a touch screen and one without, I doubt anyone is going to pick the non-touch screen one.
What is the downside of having it?
I personally don't really have a use for one, but if there were 2 macs for the same price one with a touch screen and one without, I doubt anyone is going to pick the non-touch screen one.
Thicker screen. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen one but I remember the screen not being as clear. My last Chromebook, I purposely ordered the non-touch model.
If there were truly no cost to having it, sure, but there's no such thing as a free lunch, especially if Apple is involved - if enhanced capabilities aren't worth a higher price (or maintaining the price of a product that would otherwise have to drop in price), Apple's not interested. The closest Apple has come to a touchscreen Mac is the Touch Bar. It adds to the cost of those Macs that have it.
My immediate response to this poll and question is, "What laptop?" I stopped using a laptop about three months after the first iPad was introduced (I got my first iPad three days after they first went on sale). My portable computing needs are addressed by iPad and... (wait for it) a physical keyboard. When you're a writer and have been touch-typing for about 50 years, yeah, a virtual keyboard just doesn't fill the bill.
So, what's the difference between an iPad with a physical keyboard and a laptop with a touchscreen? Good question. In my case it's that I use the iPad in "pure touchscreen" mode except when I'm writing. For the best touchscreen OS, use an OS built from the ground up for touchscreen. I've been using an iPad Pro with the Apple Smart Keyboard, which is lighter and more compact than any laptop. It's not as responsive as the Magic Keyboard, but my First Gen iPad Pro (which is still going strong) doesn't support that keyboard.
With my original iPad I used separate Bluetooth keyboards - some intended for use with the iPad, and sometimes I'd just drag along an Apple Bluetooth Keyboard. I could (and did) leave those keyboards behind when I knew I wouldn't be doing extensive writing.
When I'm writing... there are times when reaching out to touch the screen (tap buttons, select text) is a bit awkward - I'd rather have a mouse or trackpad out of habit (though I've never loved trackpads - thumbs are sub-optimal for fine control, and index fingers on trackpads mean you've removed your fingers from the keyboard.... may as well be using a mouse).
Meantime, when I'm sitting at my iMacs I never have the urge or desire to reach out to touch the screen. I've reached out to see/feel how a touchscreen might work, but lifting and moving my arm around a 27" display (and sitting close enough to be able to touch it) just doesn't work. Pointing devices (I like Magic Mouse as a hybrid between traditional mouse and trackpad) require far less movement to obtain the desired results.
All this is a long way of saying that a touchscreen Mac holds no appeal for me, in part because a laptop holds no appeal for me.
My immediate previous laptop (SurfaceBook 2) had a touchscreen. At first I was attempting to use it as an iPad alternative, but very much lacks the smoothness of an iPad. Moved to using it mostly as a traditional laptop. Occasionally it's nice to tap a button on screen instead of using the trackpad to find the pointer then get it to the button, but otherwise, on a traditional-format laptop, didn't find a touchscreen essential.
I'd say no, because I hate when devices try to be something they aren't. My Macbook and iPad are different devices that I use for different things. I'd rather each be excellent at what they do than one try to replace the other and become mediocre at everything.
It's also why I hate fastback SUV's but that's another topic.
It's also why I hate fastback SUV's but that's another topic.