Everywhere you go today, you can find people using their portable computers almost everywhere. Coffee shops, fast food restaurants, even at those tables set up in the mall in between shops. More and more people are finding different ways to use their laptops. And with increasingly better technology, and consistently lower prices, it's no wonder they have become so popular.
One function that has been around a while, but has finally starting making inroads into he laptop computer market is the touch screen. Instead of moving a mouse around, or that little box in front of your keypad, you can simply touch the specific area of the screen you'd like to select, and away you go. If you use any kind of smart phone, you're likely familiar with touch screen technology. But with laptop computers, touch screens can offer a whole new range of usability.
One thing that has kept touch screen laptops from going completely main screen is the difficulty in providing a viable product. Manufacturers have to build a screen that is both sensitive enough to respond accurately to the user, yet robust enough to withstand at least a couple of years of touching and poking and prodding. Other products, that have successfully employed touch screens, such as certain smart phones, electronic dictionaries, and personal organizers, use a much smaller screen, and the screens have limited functions.
But what about a laptop computer? Has technology advanced enough to warrant the purchase of a touch screen laptop? That is going to depend on how often you use your laptop, and how often you think you'll use the touch screen function. Prices are generally more expensive, and you have one more thing that can malfunction. While these are usually covered by the factor warranty, or an extended warranty, it can be inconvenient to take your computer back to where you go it.
If you are the type that opens up your machine whenever you get a chance, and starts typing away, then perhaps you should consider getting a machine with this extra function. You won't have to worry about counter space, or setting up any cumbersome mouse. If, on the other hand, you only use your machine where there's plenty of space, like at school, at home, or at a coffee shop, then a touch screen might not be in your immediate future. Perhaps later, when prices come down a bit, and their durability is more assured.
When all is said and done, touch screen laptops are pretty nifty if you use them enough, and can afford them. If you are a casual user, like myself, and only use your computer in a few places with enough space, then perhaps you should wait a while before investing in one.