Should You Buy a Touchscreen Windows PC? GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Software & Apps > Windows 216 216 people found this article helpful
Should You Buy a Touchscreen Windows PC?
The pros and cons of a touchscreen PC
By Mark Kyrnin Mark Kyrnin Writer University of California, Berkeley Mark Kyrnin is a former Lifewire writer and computer networking and internet expert who also specializes in computer hardware. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on July 1, 2021 Reviewed by Jon Fisher Reviewed by Jon Fisher Wichita Technical Institute Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA certified technologist with more than 6 years' experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email In This Article
Expand Jump to a Section Touchscreen Laptops Cleaning the Screen Battery Life Cost Touchscreen Desktops Final Verdict Microsoft first incorporated touchscreen functionality into the Windows operating system with the launch of the Microsoft Surface in 2012. If you're purchasing a new computer, consider the pros and cons of a touchscreen Windows PC. Touchscreen Windows Laptops
Despite manufacturers' attempts to create trackpads that support multitouch gestures, touchscreen laptops allow for easier navigation than a built-in trackpad. That said, touchscreens have some disadvantages. PhotoAlto / Odilon Dimier / Getty Images Cleaning the Screen
The most apparent issue of a touchscreen laptop is that you need to clean the screen frequently. Constantly touching a display leaves behind dirt, grime, and oils from your fingertips. While certain types of coatings can help mitigate that problem, they can cause glare and reflections. Smudges make the problem worse, especially outdoors or in offices with bright overhead lights. Battery Life
Touchscreen displays draw additional power at all times as they detect input from the screen. This small but consistent power drain reduces the overall running time of a touchscreen laptop compared to one without a touchscreen. Power reduction varies from as little as 5 percent up to 20 percent, depending on the battery size and the power draw of other components. Be sure to compare estimated running times between touchscreen and non-touchscreen models. Many devices aren't as accurate as they should be when it comes to estimated battery life. Cost
Touchscreen laptops cost more than non-touchscreen laptops. Some low-cost options are available, but cheaper laptops may sacrifice other features, such as CPU performance, memory, storage, or battery size to incorporate a touchscreen. Touchscreen Windows Desktops
Desktops fall into two categories: traditional desktop tower systems that require an external monitor and all-in-one PCs. Traditional Desktop Tower Systems
A touchscreen isn't much of a benefit in a traditional desktop system, with cost being the main factor. Laptop displays are typically smaller, so adding a touchscreen is more affordable. Desktops, however, generally have larger screens (24-inch LCDs are common). A 24-inch touchscreen monitor can be more than double the price of a typical standard display. ASUSTeK All-In-One PCs
All-in-one touchscreen PCs are more expensive than touchscreen monitors for desktop PCs, though prices vary according to specifications. Most of these devices feature a glass coating on the displays, making them more reflective and more apt to show glare, fingerprints, and swipe marks. These issues aren't as bad as with laptops, however. Multitouch support on these devices is handy, but not critical. Windows users familiar with shortcut keys won't be as impressed with touchscreen features, especially when switching between applications and copying and pasting data, although launching programs via touchscreen is convenient. Lifewire / Catherine Song Final Verdict
Touchscreens provide many benefits, but they cost more and usually have a shorter battery life. They are most useful in a portable environment. Desktops equipped with touchscreen capabilities are probably not worth the extra cost unless you're eyeing an all-in-one system and you don't care about using Windows shortcuts. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Should You Buy a Dash Cam? Should You Buy a Tablet? 8 Things to Consider Before Buying a Desktop PC The 6 Best All-in-One PCs, Tested by Experts Which iPhone Should You Buy? Should You Buy a Blu-ray Player? How to Calibrate the Touchscreen on Your Android Which Microsoft Surface Is Best for You? 8 Things to Consider When Buying a Tablet Mac vs. PC for Graphic Design 8 Things to Consider Before Buying a Computer Mouse The 4 Best Touchscreen Monitors of 2022 Should You Buy a Tablet or a Laptop? How to Enable the Touchscreen in Windows 10 What to Consider Before You Buy an Unlocked Smartphone What Is a Touchscreen and How Do They Work? Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies