Touchscreen computer users..

[The "Juan" 12]

Im flirting with the idea of getting touchscreen with my new laptop purchase. Im a student and not that I need it, im kinda under the impression it wouldnt be bad to have when the use of a mouse isn't available. I dont really like using the scroll pad on the laptop.. so my question is, is it really worth the extra 300$? How are yalls experiences with them? Pros cons? Thanks in advance.

Leo

[ttechdallas]

I am not a techie, but and since Windows 8 is the standard for a laptop now, you almost have to a touchscreen to use it effectively. Windows 8, in my opinion, is difficult to use without a touchscreen.

You don't have to have pay that much more. I would go to Best Buy and look at theirs. The sales people there are very knowledgeable and since they are not on commission, they are very straightforward and will even tell you if there are better options online.

[Tx_Wader]

My Dell laptop has a touch screen with Windows 8.1 and I like the touch screen. But with the desktop on Windows 8.1 your GUI resembles Windows 7 so I find myself using a mouse more than the touch screen, when I'm able to use a mouse.

The touch screen is handy when you use your laptop in bed or in a chair with it in your lap or in a vehicle or plane.

I didn't think that I would like 8.1 but I do; takes some getting use to but it's a good OS and I've been a System's Admin for a long long time.

[lameduck]

Got the wife a 8.1 one a while back an she says the touch screen is ok for some things.
The built in mouse sucks, an uses a plug in. She has a wireless mouse on order.
Not sure if I would like her touch screen or not. She won't let me use it.

[Samson]

If you want to use a touch screen, I would buy a Surface Pro 3 instead of a laptop.

[billfromtx]

I bought an ASUS T100. Its a touch screen and can be a laptop or a tablet! It comes with a great keyboard but you can snap off the screen and use it like a tablet. I love it! It has Window 8.1... Cost about $300 out the door!

[fishingsetx]

We have an all in one HP with a 23" touch screen. IMHO, skip the touchscreen unless you get a tablet. They are pointless. You'll use it for the first 5 mins then you'll go back to the mouse/keyboard. Sure not worth the extra $300.

[The "Juan" 12]

I am not a techie, but and since Windows 8 is the standard for a laptop now, you almost have to a touchscreen to use it effectively. Windows 8, in my opinion, is difficult to use without a touchscreen.

You don't have to have pay that much more. I would go to Best Buy and look at theirs. The sales people there are very knowledgeable and since they are not on commission, they are very straightforward and will even tell you if there are better options online.

What do you mean almost have to have TS to use it effectively

[fishingsetx]

What do you mean almost have to have TS to use it effectively

X2! My 72 year old grandmother has no problem with it non TS!

[ttechdallas]

X2! My 72 year old grandmother has no problem with it non TS!

The whole orientation of Windows 8 is touch screen oriented and in large part so it can be a common user interface (UI) across all devices (phones, tablets,etc) of which most non-PC devices don't even have keyboards. They did make a big change after the original rollout to make it easier to use with a keyboard, but as I understand it the emphasis will continue to shift to touch oriented operation.

That is my take, others may think differently. But it is nice to be able to use my laptop as a laptop or a tablet.

If you do buy the touch screen, buy the warranty that covers all breakage. The touch screens are much more delicate and I learned the hard way that they can crack easily and if they do, they basically become inoperable. My kid's ipad works as normal with a cracked screen but that is not the case with laptops.

[ttechdallas]

The other posters are right though if you are going never going to use as a tablet pc, don't spend the extra money. Although I think the price difference is going down significantly since the PC trend is toward tablet computing they want to price it so its a no brainer to go with a TS.

[The "Juan" 12]

Thanks.. up

[ted_kennedys_liver]

I could not stand Windows 8 but as others pointed out it is feted for the touchscreen. I just found it really hard to learn on my own. I never used the touchscreen because I preferred the mouse.

[chongo]

My wife is a tech dummy, she doesn't handle change well at all. But once I showed her how W8/8.1 has two sides, standard desktop mode and the modern/touch interface she was happy. Her laptop converts to a tablet if needed (Dell XPS 12 IIRC) and she is very happy now and surprisingly uses the touchscreen quite a bit even in standard desktop mode.

I'd second the Surface Pro 3 as it's a great device but Dell and especially Lenovo are putting out some very good quality machines lately.

[The "Juan" 12]

Going with the dell insipiron 5000 17" with touch. If I dont like it ill just sell it