With touchscreen smartphones in our pockets at all times, we’ve become used to the convenience and ease of flipping through screens and tapping to select. That’s why many of us have been intrigued by the concept of a laptop with a touchscreen display that allows us to interact directly with our work and entertainment in much the same way we do on our phones. More and more people are turning to touchscreen laptops as their preferred devices for work, study, or entertainment. But are they necessary in laptop format? That’s what we’ll be discussing in this article.
In addition to the features and pros and cons of touchscreen laptops, we’ve compiled a list of the top 7 touchscreen laptops on the market today. Each laptop has been carefully reviewed for its price-performance ratio, build quality, display capabilities, and more. We’ve also included recommendations for different types of users, so you can find the best touchscreen laptop for your needs.
We hope this article will help you make an informed decision when it comes to purchasing a touchscreen laptop from our list of options. Let’s get started!
Buyer’s Guide: What To Look For in a Touchscreen Laptop
There are a few things unique to touchscreen laptops that you should consider when making your purchase. Here’s a handy checklist to keep in mind:
Type of Touchscreen
There are different types of screens available for touchscreen laptops. Those are:
Resistive
The most common type of touchscreen laptop is a resistive touchscreen, which has two thin layers separated by an air gap. When pressed, the top layer bends and touches the bottom layer to register a touch input.
Capacitive:
A capacitive touchscreen is made up of multiple layers coated with a conductive material that can detect electrical changes when touched. Capacitive screens are more sensitive and precise than resistive screens, but also more expensive.
Should you get a touchscreen laptop with resistive or capacitive technology? That all depends on your needs, budget, and the type of user you are. Resistive touchscreens are widely used, reliable, and offer great value for money. They’re perfect for users who don’t require super-precise controls, as they can be less responsive than capacitive screens.
On the other hand, capacitive touchscreens are great for users who need more precision and accuracy or want to interact with their laptops in a more immersive way. They may be pricier, but they’re worth it if you plan on doing intricate tasks on your laptop.
Multi-Touch Capability
Multi-touch technology is the latest advancement in touchscreen laptops. It allows users to use multiple fingers to perform complex actions like pinching and zooming, which makes navigating on a laptop much easier.
Display Quality
Another important factor to consider when buying a touchscreen laptop is the display quality.
Look for a laptop with 1080 pixels resolution or higher, at least 8 GB of RAM, and 256GB of internal storage. This will not only ensure that you are getting the best picture possible, but a high-quality display also makes for a smoother touch experience, as the high resolution will reduce lags in response time.
Screen Durability
Touchscreens are prone to scratches, smudges, and fingerprints, so make sure you purchase a laptop with a durable display. Choose one with an anti-glare coating or tempered or Gorilla Glass for the best protection from scratches.
Top 7 Picks for the Best Touchscreen Laptop in 2023
- Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 (Best Overall Touchscreen Laptop)
- Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio – 14.4″ Touchscreen (Best Touchscreen Laptop for Creatives)
- Dell XPS 13 9310 Touchscreen (Best Touchscreen Laptop for Students)
- Microsoft Surface Go 2 (Best Budget Touchscreen Laptop)
- HP Spectre x360 13.5″ Touchscreen (Best Touchscreen Laptop for Business)
- HP Spectre x360 Luxury 14T,13.5″ (Best 2-in-1 Touchscreen Laptop)
- Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook (Best Touchscreen Chromebook)
1. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9
Best Overall Touchscreen Laptop
Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 is a sleek and powerful touchscreen laptop perfectly designed for business use. The 14-inch 1920 x 1200 Pixel display boasts rich colors and sharp visuals, making it ideal for long days of work. With a generous 16:10 aspect ratio, this screen offers plenty of vertical space – perfect for scrolling through documents with ease.
Even better, the contrast between the bright whites and deep blacks provides an optimal experience for life-like visuals. The keyboard is quiet so as to not be distracting to users – ideal for when you don’t want a noisy workspace – especially during crucial meetings or video conferences. There is also a good variety of ports, including USB-C with Thunderbolt 4, USB-A, HDMI, and a headphone jack. It also includes a fingerprint reader and rapid charging tech.
Our only con on this one is the webcam only supports 720p, so if you do a lot of video conferencing, it’s not the best choice.
2. Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio – 14.4″ Touchscreen
Best Touchscreen Laptop for Creatives
For creative professionals or students who need a laptop to keep up with their workloads, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is an excellent choice. It offers a 14.4-inch PixelSense Flow Display that is both responsive and touchscreen enabled. With either the Intel Iris Xe Graphics GPU or the NVIDIA GeForce RTX3050 Ti laptop GPU, you can accurately digitalize your projects with accuracy. Plus, you have the freedom to customize it with different storage and memory options – 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB SSD ~ 16GB or 32GB of memory. With powerful computing abilities combined with convenient portability and a sleek design, this system will be sure to provide detailed illustration showcases for graphic designers, video editors, and audio professionals alike.
The cons for this option include limited port options and a higher price point compared to others on our list.
3. Dell XPS 13 9310 Touchscreen
Best Touchscreen Laptop for Students
Are you looking for a dependable and affordable touchscreen laptop? Then look no further than Dell’s XPS 13 9310 Touchscreen! This amazing laptop is perfect for students of all ages. With a 13.4-inch screen, it’s the ideal size—big enough to watch movies and get work done, but small enough to fit in your bag or backpack while you’re on the go. The Intel Core i7 processor runs quickly and efficiently, so you won’t experience any lags or slowdowns with this model.
Plus, Dell designed the XPS 13 9310 Touchscreen with a 512GB SSD hard drive to store your documents and photos for quick access. And best of all, it supports a stylus input for handwriting notes or doodling on the computer—a great way to keep ideas fresh and creative. It’s even Windows 10 compatible so you can stay up-to-date with software updates. With an overall glossy black color scheme, this laptop looks sophisticated yet fun; in addition, it offers 1920×1200 pixels resolution for remarkable clarity and visual detail. Check out our blog post on hard drives vs flash drives next.
One downside is that the XPS 13 9310 Touchscreen has a limited port selection. All in all, this laptop is one of the best choices if you’re looking for help with school projects or everyday tasks.
4. Microsoft Surface Go 2
Best Budget Touchscreen Laptop
The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is our pick for the best budget touchscreen laptop. Despite its lower price tag, this device has plenty of power thanks to its Intel Pentium Gold Processor 4425Y and 8GB of RAM. It also has a 10.5” Full HD display and up to 10 hours of battery life.
Our only con is that the type cover is not included, so you’ll have to purchase that separately to protect the screen. However, if you buy the Microsoft Surface Pro type cover (which you can also find on Amazon), this device becomes a full-fledged 2-in-1. So if you’re looking for an affordable laptop-tablet combo that won’t break the bank, the Microsoft Surface Go 2 is a great option.
With its impressive specs, long-lasting battery life, and low price tag, this is a great option for budget shoppers. If you’re not in love with this option, check out our list of the best laptops under $500.
5. HP Spectre x360 13.5″ Touchscreen
Best Touchscreen Laptop for Business
The HP Spectre x360 13.5″ Touchscreen laptop is our pick for the best business laptop. Optimized for multitaskers, this 2-in-1 laptop features an OLED display, letting you take full advantage of vivid colors and deep contrasts whether you’re viewing media or working on a presentation.
The OLED screen does lead to a compromise in terms of battery life, but it still stands up against other 2-in-1s.
The laptop also comes with a 1080p webcam with a physical shutter, perfect for conference calls, an Activepen for note-taking, and a backlit keyboard.
6. HP Spectre x360 Luxury 14T,13.5″
Best 2-in-1 Touchscreen Laptop
Are you looking for a 2-in-1 laptop that offers the best in performance, design, and convenience? The HP Spectre x360 Luxury 14T 13.5″ is a great choice. With its 3:2 aspect ratio, the screen is more square than rectangular, which provides increased height for all your productivity tasks. Not only that, but the 4K panel on this model is beautiful and helps create an immersive viewing experience when streaming movies or shows. And with a 360-hinge, it’s easy to get into exactly the right position for comfortable viewing or typing.
The design of this Spectre laptop stands out too: its sharp edges give it a modern look, while still including all the ports essential to daily use — even a USB-A port! And any creative projects can be made easier with the included stylus.
Under the hood, this HP Spectre packs a powerful punch: Intel Core i7, 16 GB RAM, and a 1TB SDD so you can enjoy faster load times, better multitasking and smoother transitions – ideal for both work and leisure activities.
Our downsides to this option include no HDMI port and no internal stylus storage.
7. Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook
Best Touchscreen Chromebook
The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook is ideal for Chromebook users looking for a budget-friendly, business option. It offers 4 GB of onboard memory and 64 GB of storage. Some key features include a detachable keyboard, stylus support, and 15 hours of battery life.
Because of the cheaper price point, this option won’t have all of the bells and whistles of some of our more expensive options, but if you don’t plan to run heavy-duty software, the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook is an ideal choice.
Pros and Cons of Touchscreen Laptops
Advantages of Touchscreen Laptops
1. Enhanced Productivity
One of the major advantages of touchscreen laptops is that they allow for more efficient and accurate input directly on the screen. This increases speed, accuracy, and productivity when performing tasks such as typing or drawing.
2. Intuitive Interface
Touchscreen laptops offer an intuitive user interface that works similarly to a smartphone or tablet. This makes them easy to use and can help reduce the learning curve when transitioning from a traditional laptop.
3. Better Screens
Touchscreen laptops feature larger, higher-resolution displays for sharper visuals and more natural-looking colors.
4. Good for artists
For creative professionals, touchscreen laptops provide an intuitive canvas for drawing, sketching, and designing.
5. Greater Security
Touchscreen laptops often come with built-in security measures such as facial recognition or fingerprint scanning for added protection.
Check out our blog on laptop security for more insights!
Cons of Touchscreen Laptops
1. Reduced Battery Life
Touchscreen laptops typically have reduced battery life compared to non-touch devices since the touch technology requires more power to operate.
2. Increased Cost
The technology and components required to make a touchscreen laptop are usually more expensive than those found in traditional models, resulting in higher price tags overall.
3. Susceptible to Fingerprints
The glossy screens on touchscreen laptops are prone to smudging and fingerprints, making them less than ideal for sharing.
4. Potential Lag
With the additional technology required for touchscreen functionality, some laptops may experience slight lag when running heavy applications or games.
5. Lower Durability
Because of their smaller size, touchscreen laptops are also more prone to damage due to drops and wear and tear.
Key Takeaways
In conclusion, touchscreen laptops offer many advantages such as enhanced productivity, an intuitive user interface, and better screens. They are also great for creative professionals who need a canvas to draw on. However, they come with some drawbacks like reduced battery life and potentially higher prices compared to traditional models. Ultimately, the best laptop for you depends on your individual needs and budget so make sure to carefully consider all of these factors before making a purchase. With this knowledge in mind, we hope that you’ll find the perfect touchscreen laptop for you!
If you have additional questions about the different types of touchscreen laptops, feel free to reach out to us. Our team of tech experts is here to help you make an informed decision and get the best laptop for your needs. Happy shopping!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I care for my touchscreen laptop?
To keep your touchscreen laptop in good condition, it’s important to clean the screen regularly with a microfiber cloth. This will help remove fingerprints and smudges, as well as prevent dust buildup. Additionally, avoid putting too much pressure on the screen when using it, since this can cause lasting damage. Lastly, make sure to protect your laptop from sudden drops and other accidents to help keep it running in peak condition.
What is the best processor for a touchscreen laptop?
When it comes to choosing the best processor for a touchscreen laptop, it’s important to consider factors such as performance, energy efficiency, and user-friendliness. Intel Core i7 and i9 processors are likely the best choices for touchscreen laptops due to their high-performance capabilities, low power consumption, and excellent multitasking abilities.
These processors also offer good value for the money, making them a great choice for those on tighter budgets. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which processor best suits your needs and budget.
How much RAM do I need for a touchscreen laptop?
Generally speaking, touchscreen laptops are designed to handle more intensive tasks such as graphic design and gaming that require higher levels of processing power. To ensure optimal performance, touchscreen laptops should have 8GB or even 16GB of RAM installed. This will provide your laptop with enough processing power to handle even the most demanding tasks. For more information, consult our guide on choosing the right RAM for your laptop.
If there’s a certain touchscreen laptop you have your eye on, but it doesn’t have the RAM you need, check out our blog post on upgrading RAM on a laptop!
What is the best operating system for a touchscreen laptop?
Microsoft Windows 10 and 11 are currently the most popular and widely used operating systems for touchscreen laptops. It offers a smooth and intuitive user experience with its touchscreen-optimized features such as support for handwriting recognition, Cortana voice commands, and more.
Additionally, Windows 10 is well supported by the majority of applications and games, making it the best choice for those looking to get the most out of their touchscreen laptop.
Do touchscreen laptops have shorter battery life?
Yes, touchscreen laptops do drain batteries faster than traditional laptops. This is due to the extra power required to operate the touchscreen, as well as the additional hardware components needed for its functionality.
Additionally, if you’re using your laptop in direct sunlight or other brightly lit areas, the touchscreen will require more power to stay active.
To maximize battery life, make sure to adjust your laptop’s screen brightness settings and take advantage of power-saving features like sleep mode. Additionally, avoid running too many applications at once or leaving your laptop on standby for prolonged periods. With the proper care and upkeep, you can ensure that your touchscreen laptop will last longer on a single charge.
Touchscreen laptops equipped with a stylus offer an intuitive way to interact with the device. With the help of a stylus, users can make precise and accurate selections, take notes, draw diagrams and illustrations, and even play games.
Can you use a stylus with any touchscreen laptop?
There are different types of stylus pens that use different stylus input technology. Some models are designed for use with specific touchscreen laptop models, while others are compatible with any laptop that supports capacitive touch input. Capacitive styluses use an electrostatic charge to interact with the laptop’s touchscreen, while non-capacitive styluses rely on pressure.
Before buying a stylus, make sure it’s compatible with your laptop model and operating system. Additionally, some manufacturers offer their own specialized styluses that can provide additional features such as pressure sensitivity or palm rejection technology.