Should Apple release a touchscreen Mac?
Posted by Dennis Sellers 
Aug 28, 2008 at 6:40am
Don Reisinger of CNET thinks that Apple should release a touch-screen Mac. I think he’s onto something. In fact, I think the company will do just that. Eventually.
Reisinger says that Apple needs to embrace the fact that many people prefer touch-screen technology and create a Mac that offers the same basic functionality found in the iPhone. His reasoning goes like this: “Innovation has been a key to Apple’s success over the past decade and without it, the company would be nothing more than another computer vendor. But by releasing a Mac that eclipses the functionality of the tablet PC and fully harnesses the power of multitouch in a way that no one has seen before, Apple can create the computing world’s first iPhone-like success. And in the process, Apple could single-handedly propel the computing market forward into a new era where vanilla products are the exception and establish itself as the de facto leader in innovation.”
I’m not sure that we’ll see such a critter this year, but perhaps at January’s Macworld Conference & Expo. Imagine an iMac with all the current included functionality, plus the ability to be controlled with the touch-screen and virtual keyboard. Reisinger thinks that the imagined Apple’s touch-screen Mac should sport a physical keyboard that can be slid out. I’m not sure that’s necessary, though it would be cool. But the current choice of a standard or wireless keyboard would certainly suffice.
Of course, adding touchscreen capabilities would involve extra cost, and I’m not sure what a touchscreen iMac would or could reasonably sell for. Assuming it were within reason, would you like a touchscreen Mac? And if so how much extra would you be willing to pay for the added functionality?
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閻魔彌勒 Says:
Do U mean.... tablet PC? I said T.A.B.L.E.T P.C.Do U mean this?
Posted on August 28, 2008
John Says:
Everyone so gung-ho on the notion of a touchscreen computer (be it a Mac or PC) seems to be completely ignoring a major consideration with using such a machine.
Ergonomics.
As it stands, just about everyone using a computer on a regular basis requires a keyboard and mouse pad with wrist/lower arm support.
Now imagine holding one’s arms at the elevated positions necessary to use a touchscreen monitor for any extended time.
Want to test this? Just hold up your arms, elbows off of your desk and reach up and touch your monitor.
Now see how long you can hold them there.
Posted on August 28, 2008
Garrett Says:
I think it is more like that touchscreen capabilities would be added to the trackpad and not to the screen. Imagine a iPhone like screen where the trackpad would be. Whatever program is in the foreground would dictate what controls were available. It could even mirror part of the main display for image editing.
Most people are pretty lazy. They don’t want to have to move their hands all the way from the keyboard to the screen.
Posted on August 28, 2008
Constable Odo Says:
As long as the display isn’t too large. I don’t want to become an orchestra conductor just to open a few files. I spend most of my time typing documents and texting, so there’s not much of an advantage for me to use a touch screen. I can understand if your computer doesn’t have a physical keyboard, but a keyboard is a pretty efficient tool for computing. I might be biased since I’ve been using keyboards for almost 40 years. Typewriters, data terminals, word processors and desktop computers.
I have no problem with touch screens since they’re intuitive enough. However, I think touch screens for most things I do at a computer is just not necessary. Programmable keys and a decent scrollpad is more than enough. The less I move my hands and wrists the better. So on a small device, fine, but if I had a touch screen on my MacBook Pro 15, I wouldn’t use it. I can use either hand for directing the cursor on my screen with the control pad and that’s all I need. If Apple were to eliminate scrollpads and physical keyboards, I’d make it my business to adapt in a short time, but I wouldn’t suggest for Apple to do such a thing.
Posted on August 28, 2008
J. Scott Anderson Says:
Personally, I love the idea that all Macs could have Multi-touch capability. And I don’t think it would necessarily be at the expense of getting rid of the standard keyboard/mouse/touchpad. I think it would be in addition to it and I would love it. There are many times that I would love tho have a more direct method of manipulation. Not all the time of even the majority of the time, but there are definitely those times when touch screen would be great.
Posted on August 28, 2008
GregA Says:
Thank you J.Scott Anderson! :)
I was beginning to think that no-one realises that the mouse/trackpad would have to remain, in addition to a touch screen.
I agree with Odo that for MOST things a touch screen is not necessary. And I agree with John that you should imagine trying it yourself - but instead of using a touch screen for every movement, imagine one in 10 interactions. I’m not sure what actions would work better on screen - touching 2 points simultaneously is the easiest prediction… a mouse can not be in 2 places at once (in contrast to a ‘pinch’ or ‘rotate’ which can act on whatever is selected but doesn’t target specific points).
Remember, many people didn’t want a mouse, because it was quicker and easier to use keyboard shortcuts. The mouse changed how we interacted though, and I think a touch screen would change our normal interaction… beyond even what Apple can predict.
ps. Touch screens across the board was my prediction as the “product transition” that would reduce profit margin and differentiate Macs. I figured it’d be a release of touch screens for laptops, iMacs, and Cinema Displays.
Posted on August 28, 2008
J. Scott Anderson Says:
GregA:
I’m glad to see that someone “gets” it.
Posted on August 28, 2008
Glen L. Bledsoe Says:
I used to spend many hours painting at an easel and suffered headaches and stiff necks from the strain. I don’t want to have to reach out at arm level for long hours of time to control my computer.
Putting the monitor flat isn’t going to help either for the same reasons that painters don’t usually paint with their canvasses flat.
Rubbing one’s fingers over a monitor is going to leave streaks and fingerprints. You might tolerate streaks on a tiny iPhone screen, but on a large monitor--it’s just not a good idea. I think this whole touch screen idea is innovation for the sake of novelty and not because it makes the user experience better.
Posted on August 28, 2008
J. Scott Anderson Says:
Glen:
Please see the above posts. I don’t think anyone wants to have a touchscreen as the only method of input and manipulation. Could you imagine only having a mouse? or ditching the mouse for only the keyboard? Rather, a touchscreen would be an step in the evolving way that we interact with our computers.
As to oils on the computer, maybe large-scale use of the touch screen will spawn solution businesses just like the mouse did. Remember mouse pads before we got the laser mouse? Without any research I can think of companies that will create things like gloves that we wear when interacting with the computer. Or even just some sort of fingertip pad that is attached by some sort of clingy adhesive (like a sticky note) we can easily attach and remove to keep our oily digits off of the screen.
And, at the risk of be repetitive, I see a touch screen on larger systems being the only interface.
Posted on August 29, 2008
leigh BURNS Says:
I was just watching a commercial and saw a HP touch screen, and I was thinking, why doesnt apple do this? I have recently bought a IMAC and really love the machine. I also am recently new to the IWork and ILife and as my need for it grows, I will purchase the necessities. My take on the touch screen was mirrored in a post above. I think the ability to touchscreen in addition to the ability to mouse and type is giving the customer and consumer the diversity they want, and giving them the choices they need to most effectively manipulate what application or project they are doing at that time. At the current time, I am not in grad school and I only use the computer for surfing the web, etc. But next year, when I get back in school and get back into my photography, I think the touchscreen will be a great addition.
I also want to say kudo’s to those people thinking about all aspects. Though the touch is cool, keeping your hand there is not.
From a user standpoint, I think the touchscreen will just allow our computers to become more of an extension of ourselves, and if we want, we will be able to feel more in tune with it. I do plan to buy an touchscreen, allthough not sure I can wait for apple to release it. I have been patiently waiting for apple to release something that lets my IPhone work in my BMW without bluetooth (currently the Beemer uses Windows and the IPHone is on O, so I can use my older IPod in my car, but not my phone). I researched and found Troll Touch, and I think I will be buying that at the beginning of the year as a christmas present to myself.
GO Apple!
Posted on October 13, 2008
Jimmy Says:
HP now has their TouchSmart touch screen product. I am definatly wanting to get one after playing with my iphone for a couple months. But I would much rather hold off for an apple with TOUCH SCREEN ability. I agree whole heartedly with the above article. Apple has to get on board asap to be a leader in this new innovation.a
What do you say SJ?
Posted on October 22, 2008
Edward Anastas Says:
Mac Computers are already touch screen
It’s the biggest secret Mac has ever kept… right under our noses! All the new screens with the black outline are touchscreens just like the iPhone.
Just a hunch…
Posted on November 15, 2008
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Dennis Sellers
Dennis has been a newspaper editor/reporter (seven years) and teacher (seven years). He has over 4,000 magazine, newspaper and online articles to his credit. He has also covered the Mac and tech industries for over a decade for such online publications as MacCentral, MacMinute and now MacsimumNews.
Jon Mark Hancock Says:
This could be a very interesting product, though I think the appeal would initially be to a more limited segment- like the MBA, for example.
A smaller system configured like a tablet, with Bluetooth keyboard option for serious typing would be an interesting platform as an “internet” appliance- but I see that as something like an iPod Touch on steriods, but able to run a mix of applications similar to iPhone, but with the capability to do the “normal” iWork and iLife applications, perhaps with a mix of gesture based control, and touch screen functionality similar to what a mouse does?
Imagine a version of OmniFocus or Things with roughly the same capabilities as the “desktop” but with the interaction of the iPhone/iPod touch versions. It could be that how this evolves will take a bit of time, but this would be interesting. I’d buy one; the trick is defining what it offers over, say, an MBA, in portability or functionality, to justify the change in form factor.
For me, a remaining question is how you get pointing resolution for drawing or CAD programs (which I usually run on my PowerMac, but can run on my notebooks, especially with an external display)? If not addressed, then the utility is more limited. Doesn’t mean there isn’t still a market for it, of course.
Imagine a small unit with this capability, that can be docked into a bigger monitor/docking system (as Apple has patented), with higher res support and mouse available, too.
A lot of interesting possibilities....
Posted on August 28, 2008