Touch Screen Laptop Inherent Weaknesses

Touch screen laptops are nifty devices that can convert from standard laptops into tablet PCs. The hinges of touch screen laptops are specially designed for this transformation to allow the screen to turn 180 degrees and then fold backwards flat onto itself to take form of a tablet. While is a cool feature, the design also leaves the hinge much weaker than a traditional laptop. The design allows for the screen’s flexibility but also compromises the durability. Another weak point is the touch screen itself. Despite the protective layer of coating, all touch screen devices come with a very limited lifetime since any particular screen can only take so many taps before the wear begins to show.

The good news is that the advancement in technology has greatly improved the quality and durability of touch screen laptops, not just the screen and hinge but the fan and all the internal parts as well. Each new model displays at least some level of improved design. Another option to help offset the inherent weakness of the hardware is by paying upfront for a warranty since a touch screen laptop can be expensive to repair.

DouSense Touch Screen Add-on

There are a couple add-ons available in the market today that would allow the touch screen functionality to be added to a standard laptop. Of course this does not change the design to allow the tablet mode that true touch screen laptops are capable of, but still some add-ons are worthy of mention. Of these products is the DuoSense released by N-Trig. It is currently, arguably, the leader in digitizers that offer multi-touch capability.

The device fits over your computer screen and using a stylus or your finger, the software will force your operating system to work as if it were a touch screen laptop. Dragging and dropping folders and files with your finger or stylus is now possible as is composing handwritten emails and documents or drawing directly onto the screen to emphasize a point during a presentation. However, because it does not change the fact that a standard laptop cannot induce full tablet mode, some of these features are limited in usability by ergonomics.

HP TX2000 Touch Screen Laptop

This latest touch screen laptop by HP separates itself from the rest by packaging itself as an entertainment centric machine. At only 12.1 inch, it is more of a net book than a full fledged entertainment system. Still the laptop packs some nice features. One of the most notable design plus is the location of the internal fan to minimize the noise produced. However, this blows hot arm on the user’s leg when the laptop is sitting on the lap.

Another area that is below average is the screen quality. While clarity is average, off angle viewing is terrible but slightly improved over the TX1000. It also uses the same ultra glossy screen typical of most other HP laptop models which looks nice but is too reflective for use in bright environments or outdoors. In all, this touch screen laptop is below average in terms of use and operating speed.

Touch Screen Laptop Key Considerations To Buying

The most important factors to consider when shopping for a touch screen laptop can also be the most elusive factors, until it is too late. The first thing to remember that despite all the advice, this is a purchase that depends largely on the individual and their plans for what purpose the laptop will serve. For people who do not need a keyboard or mouse cursor and can work almost entirely with a stylus, then a slate tablet PC will do the job.

With almost any computer purchase, the screen size will always be a huge factor. 10.4 inch or 12.1 inch screens are designed this way to be portable. A smaller screen may might it harder to write large amounts of notes. If a larger screen size is required, a touch screen laptop that converts from a standard laptop to a tablet will serve the purpose.

Touch Screen Laptops Make Great Gifts

If you are in the market for a Christmas or other holiday gift for that techno geek in your life that already has everything, you might want to consider purchasing a touch screen laptop. Also know as a tablet PC, these clever computers incorporate a touch screen ala your ITouch or IPhone with the convenient and familiar feel of a laptop. While you can easily use your finger to navigate the net, write documents, or view pictures or movies directly on your screen, you can also just as easily flip your screen around using the most curious feature of the touch screen laptop: infamous swivel feature. This remarkable advance allows the computer to easily jump between traditional laptop and tablet PC all the while allowing you to utilize that best that both products have to offer, as well as all that touch screen technology brings to the table.