But I do want to see touch in more devices, and perhaps it’d just be better for everyone if every laptop and netbook had convertible tablet functionality, so a touch screen could be in every device…

Smartboard touchscreens… now that’s a real sensible use of touchscreen technology: ideal for teaching, large-format, back-projected touchscreens that have carefully thought out add-on tools for the Windows GUI.

Unfortunately, I have been *shocked* to discover that I am almost always using the HP in full-on laptop mode. I thought I was a dedicated Tableteer, but I have had to re-evaluate lately.

I think ultimately that (a) everyone is different and will find different ways to use different technologies and (b) for me, the most critical aspect of a Tablet/touch device is size & weight in hand. I find the HP is just too darned awkward to use as a tablet for extended periods of time. The ultimate device for me would be the size, shape and weight of the P1610 with an active digitizer, and preferably with a 1024×600 res. screen (tired eyes) …

Don’t get me wrong, the HP is a blast to use, and it is extremely unlikely that I would ever buy a laptop without tablet capabilities, it’s just that I now feel the price premium is a bit too steep (except for the HP models, which in spite of their obvious limitations, are a steal)…

Anyway, thanks for opening up this can of worms, James, thought-provoking and useful blogging as always !

Is it a Tablet PC though? I agree with James that on a fixed screen laptop, touch is not really much use and awkward to use. Inking is very difficult for example.

A nice big multitouch touchpad is a better proposition.

@Gordon

I’m sure you’ll still be in the compo, opinions are allowed here!

Invariably I end up reaching for stylus to mark up something, and it’s bloody awkward in laptop mode, and doing so on the Q1 requires that I’ve set up the screen resolution so the flat screen matches the big screen. Bloody awkward, but useful, and better than I could have worked it with a mouse or touch pad.

Even so, I’d never buy a laptop that has touch without also having a way to work in slate mode.

It is the only use I make of the touchscreen but it is enough to insure one of my laptops is a touchscreen.

I am going to start by saying after reading the lengthy post, I opted to skip all the comments on this one, lol.

My response to the article is short and sweet though… I agree that in the case of a standard laptop, touch is pretty pointless and for pretty much the same reasons as you describe.

Of course…

That’s not the same, however, as saying it’s worthless altogether. I love Tablet PC’s with and without touch, and I think I always will. But it’s more about the size and the form factor. Holding my hand behind a laptop or standard display while I smudge it up with my finger is pretty counter productive, but being in slate mode and having touch available for quick navigation and editing and manipulation is fantastic.

In fact, just today I was looking at the HTC Shift again. I love my Dell Latitude E6400, but I deeply miss my Tablet PC at work and want something very portable but pen/finger friendly to carry around. It would definitely fit the need since I’m already used to both Tablet and Windows Mobile form factors.

From my experience, convertible TabletPC design is the best for touchscreens or a slate design…

However, having had several touchscreen laptops in the past, it can be nice to have, but as you say, it’s less useful than when on the other designs.

When I would love to see touch enabled on a notebook is when it’s a convertible …. if I get used to touching in Tablet mode I get really grumpy if I can’t touch when I go back to Laptop mode!

Smaller screen devices – netbooks and phones – really do work well with touch (as long as it’s finger not stylus)

That said it’s going to be interesting to see what (multi-)touch brings in future generations of Windows and OSX… having played with Surface (Microsofts big-arse iPod Touch!) in the right situation it works really well

I too have used numerous notebooks with touchscreens and that experience is the basis of this article based on my actual experiences.

I am the first to state time and again that these are my opinions and that there will always be those that feel differently about a given technology or device. I do feel that slapping a cheap touchscreen, and they will have to be cheap, on netbooks will not buy much for most users. That’s what I am trying to get across.

I am not a fanboy, but I do appreciate good tech that works. I call it like I see it and that’s what I will continue to do.

I’m glad that you like notebooks with touch screens. Always use what works for you but don’t feel that everyone should like what you like. I don’t.

For the last five years you’ve been arguing against statements like this when it comes to tabet PC’s. It’s just like the old “I can type faster than I can write” argument. And frankly, like that argument, yours is also rubbish. It’s nothing more than a rash genralisation written with no real experience with the devices at all. If this was another site broadly stating that the tablet pc has failed, doesn’t suit most users and shouldn’t be tried etc, you’d be all over it like a rash. Well you’ve just done the same thing. Just because YOU, with NO experience with these devices, doesn’t get it doesn’t mean that the tech doesn’t work and isn’t usefull. It just means YOU don’t get it.

I too have been using touchscreens for well over a decade. I’ve had multiple palm devices, treos, ipaqs, iphones, the origonal Cassiopea a Sony UX and various tablets. But I’ve also spent a year with a TX2000 and a year before that with a TX1000. It’s a different thing on a large screen and can’t be compared to a small screen device. And using the touch screen has become second nature to me. And I find it annoying that other machines don’t have a touch screen. I’m constantly trying to use the touch screen on my MiniNote, if only it actually had one.

Now I’m quite happy to accept that a majority of people who carry a mouse with their laptop everywhere, will never use, need or get the touchscreen. That’s fine it’s called choice and you’re welcome to make yours as long as you don’t make incorrect, broad generalisations about mine. I’m also willing to note that there will be some really cheap and poorly performing attempts at touchscreens and these may be best avoided.

And although not a mobile device your argument would also include the HP touchsmart PC, which reviewers have pretty much praised as a touch device.

The simple fact is that like the tablet, some will get it and some will not and it may probably be in the minority (although I’ll bet there are many time more happy touchscreen users ot ther than tablet owners within the next 12 months). But for you to write it off without any real experience or substantial time using it is simply narrow minded. “I am sure that some folks will find netbooks with touchscreens to be the cat’s meow. The one consistent thing about mobile tech is how personal it is and there will always be those that like something such as touch netbooks. I think that those folks will be in the minority and most will find what I am saying to be the way it is.” Not only have you contradicted you entire argument here you’ve also tried to make a decision for everyone else without encouraging them to try the technology and make up their own minds.

I’m worried that now you’ve become a Mac fanboy that your writing is going to become more and more slanted away from innovative tech just because it’s not immediately popular. Based on some of your recent stuff it’s certainly feels like it’s heading that way.

Gordon