Touch Laptop - Analysis and Buying Guide - 2023
Until recently, the standard design of laptop computers hadn't changed much since their initial appearance on the computing market, but with the advent of touchscreen laptops, a range of versatile computers can be found to fit the bill. Contemporary life.
Unlike tablets, touchscreen laptops have keyboards and lots of computing power, making them suitable for use at work. However, their touchscreens mean they're also very convenient for web browsing and media consumption.
What's the best touchscreen laptop for you, and how do you find out which features are important? This can be a difficult question to answer, given the wide variety of products available today.
Through extensive research, product testing, and expert advice, we are able to produce comprehensive reviews that get to the heart of the matter, without confusing the jargon.
So, read on for our complete guide to touchscreen laptops. Then scroll up when you're ready to buy to see our top models.
Types of Touchscreen Laptops
Clamshell Touchscreen Laptops
Clamshell touchscreen laptops have the classic folding design that standard laptops are used to. The only difference is that they have a touch screen.
- Pros :
Clamshell touchscreen laptops are perfect for users who simply want their laptop for work, or even play, and will generally only use them at a desk.
As a general rule, there are fewer things that can go wrong with touchscreen laptops compared to 2-in-1 models, which can have issues with their hinges or docking points.
- Cons :
Clamshell touchscreen laptops are... not as versatile as other models.
Touchscreen Convertible Laptops
Convertible touchscreen laptops have hinges that allow the screen to fold completely, so you can stand up with the keyboard behind you when you want to use the touchscreen.
- Pros :
Convertible touchscreen laptops are ideal for watching movies and TV shows, as they can be placed on a surface and viewed comfortably.
It's easy to use a convertible laptop in touchscreen mode without the keyboard getting in the way.
- Cons :
You can't remove the keyboard on convertible touchscreen laptops, which means they're bulkier to use in touchscreen mode.
Two-part Touchscreen Laptops
Two-part touchscreen laptops have screens that separate from the keyboard, so you can use them independently.
- Pros :
Since the keyboard screen can be removed entirely, two-part laptops can act as tablets.
- Cons :
If you already have a tablet, you probably don't need a two-part laptop.
Two-part laptops can be slightly bulky.
Considerations for Selecting a Touchscreen Laptop
Operating system
Most touchscreen laptops run Windows, but some have Chrome or even Android OS. At the time of writing, Apple has yet to produce a touchscreen laptop, so if you're a Mac person, you're out of luck. If you use your laptop for work, we generally recommend one that uses Windows as the operating system, since Chrome OS and Android are easier. Chrome OS and Android, however, are more than enough for general web browsing and media consumption.
Screen Response
If you are going to use your touch screen a lot, opt for one that is highly sensitive. A significant lag between screen touch and screen response can ruin your entire usage experience. If you choose a laptop from a reputable brand, you'll usually find that the screen responds adequately. Lesser known brands tend to be more successful or losers.
Screen Size
You can find touchscreen laptops with screens between 11 and 17 inches. Those with smaller screens are ideal for use on the go or to take to work or school. Those with larger screens are better for doing certain types of work (such as design work or video editing) and for media consumption. Remember that smaller laptops have smaller keyboards by default, so you may find it difficult to type on them if you have large hands.
RAM
Random Access Memory (RAM) is where your computer stores the programs and data that it is currently using. The more RAM your computer has, the faster it will run (especially when you have many programs open at the same time), since you won't have to stop when you need to load more data. Some cheap touchscreen laptops only offer 2GB of RAM, but we recommend choosing a laptop with at least 4GB of RAM.
If you have the budget for it and tend to multitask – keep many programs open at the same time – opt for a laptop with 8GB of RAM. For the average user, anything with 16GB of RAM or more is more than you need.
CPUs
Your laptop's central processing unit (CPU) or processor is essentially the brain of your computer, it's what tells everything else what to do. The quality of your CPU is a big factor in the overall performance of your laptop. Most touchscreen laptops have Intel or AMD processors. With Intel models, the Celeron and Pentium ranges are ideal for everyday use, while the Core i3, i5 and i7 ranges are ideal for professional use and gaming. AMD's most entry-level CPU is the A4, while the FX range is professional-grade.
Tips
Look at the quality of the touch screen you have chosen. Modern laptops should have at least 1080 HD screens (with around 2 million pixels), but some models use the latest technology to give you 6 million pixel screens.
Check if your touchscreen laptop comes with any useful software. Some models of Windows come complete with the much-loved Microsoft Office suite, for example.
Decide if weight and thickness are important to you. Touch screen technology adds some weight to a laptop, but you can still find some very thin and light models.
Consider the graphics chip in your chosen touchscreen laptop. The quality of the graphics chip is only a serious concern if you like gaming. If so, make sure the graphics chip is powerful enough to run your favorite games.
FAQ
Que. Do I really need a touchscreen laptop?
Ans. You may be wondering if you really need a touchscreen model instead of a standard laptop. Well, touchscreen laptops certainly aren't for everyone. If you think you would never use the touch screen feature, then go for a standard laptop. However, you'll be surprised how often you find yourself using the touch screen. It is ideal for surfing the Internet, watching videos and browsing social networks. Touch screens are also ideal for anyone who does design work on the computer, as – with the help of a stylus – you can edit and adjust your work directly on screen. Also, keep in mind that the future of laptops is likely to be touchscreen, so buying a touchscreen model now means you won't have to upgrade in a couple of years when everyone's using them.
Que. How is the battery life of a touchscreen laptop?
Ans. Unfortunately, the battery life of a touchscreen laptop is typically a couple of hours less than that of a comparable non-touchscreen laptop. Although that's not ideal, most people tend to use their laptops somewhere where they have access to a power outlet most of the time, so it shouldn't be difficult to charge when you need to. Depending on the model you choose, you may get 10 or more hours of battery life from a touchscreen laptop, so you only need to shop around if battery life is important to you.
Que. Will my touch screen laptop come with an optical drive?
Ans. Since most people stream media today, and since you can find most games and software available directly for download from the web, fewer new laptops come with optical drives (i.e. CD/DVD drives). You won't find many laptops with touchscreens and optical drives, but they do exist.