4 ms·

My wife has a Surface laptop and there are a lot of use cases where it's very natural to use touch. Scrolling when reading long documents is one. Looking at m

My wife has a Surface laptop and there are a lot of use cases where it's very natural to use touch. Scrolling when reading long documents is one. Looking at maps (e.g Google Maps) is another. Basically anything that has a lot of scrolling, panning, and zooming. Drawing annotations is another. For example Slack screen share, whiteboard apps, and so on. Of course there is the touchpad, but in these cases - especially when we are looking at something together - the touch screen makes more sense as an interface. Gestures on the screen also tend to be 1:1 so there's more precision for these types of gestures.

roxgib 4y ago
For scrolling I've always found a trackpad to be equal, if not better, than a touch screen. They feel nicer and are quicker and more accurate. Obviously not as versatile as a touchscreen though. I'd ben fine with it if it didn't otherwise interfere with the desktop experience, but I can't believe that'll be how it plays out.
BuckyBeaver 4y ago
[flagged]
- CharlieDigital 4y ago
  Because there's more precision and we are sitting together making the sharing of the touchpad more awkward then sharing the screen as an interface. It's pretty simple. I also have two kids under 12 and their first reaction to any screen is to use it as an interface and look confused when it doesn't work :D (I use an MBP myself and do find the desire to have a touch interface like her Surface)
- withinboredom 4y ago
  It sounds like you haven't had that interface. I haven't had a touch screen in nearly 6 years (since my Surface Pro 2 died its final death), and I'm not going to lie, every now and then I still reach up with my ring finger to flick the screen while mashing a function key when doing step debugging.
- wkat4242 4y ago
  It's actually quite ergonomic if you have the laptop in your lap. Using the touchpad is more awkward. This is basically what I use the touchscreen on my Thinkpad for.
  - thfuran 4y ago
    But working with a laptop in your lap is just about the opposite of ergonomic.
    - Koshkin 4y ago
      No, it would be opposite if it was someone else’s lap.
    - wkat4242 4y ago
      True but I don't necessarily "work" like that. Generally it's just reading something quickly, and then the touchscreen is really handy. It's really something that is useful in a small percentage of cases but really helpful in those. I wouldn't want to miss it. Lenovo even does matte touchscreens so there is no disadvantage (I hate glossy screens so Apple isn't an option for me either way). Usually glossy is the tradeoff you make for a touchscreen, but not in this case.
- kennethkl 4y ago
  you don't strike me as someone who reads much, so i can understand why you don't see the usefulness of scroll pan zoom on a computer. specifically on large pdf documents with tiny text. maybe I'm getting old, but those tech spec sheets text feel like they are getting tinier. also not sure why you'd think ppl wave their hands in front of a touch screen all day blocking their view. most ppl are capable of moving their hands out of the way. it's not clear if you've used a smart phone before, but it's the same. though, i imagine if you did, you'd do as you imagine others do with a touch screen.
- satvikpendem 4y ago
  It doesn't seem like you've actually tried it, and just because others have and like it doesn't make them "infants" who "continue whining."
- specialist 4y ago
  Touch screen kiosks can be nice. My local library has a big sign on their self-checkout computer explaining the screen is not touch screen, that you have to use the mouse. I still touch the screen. Every single time. That said, I'm not sure I want my desktop to act like a kiosk. Maybe?
- wereallterrrist 4y ago
  Well, its got my dad trained to fking jab at my brand new matte scrren and then upon realizing it doesnt work, getting out an ink pen to tap and point on my screen. Ffs. I need a sticker that says "ask before touching".
- dang 4y ago
  Could you please not post in the flamewar style to Hacker News? It's not what this site is for, and destroys what it is for. You're welcome to make your substantive points without that. https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html
yakubin 4y ago
For scrolling nothing beats PageUp, PageDown, Home and End.

roxgib 4y ago

For scrolling I've always found a trackpad to be equal, if not better, than a touch screen. They feel nicer and are quicker and more accurate. Obviously not as versatile as a touchscreen though. I'd ben fine with it if it didn't otherwise interfere with the desktop experience, but I can't believe that'll be how it plays out.

BuckyBeaver 4y ago

[flagged]

CharlieDigital 4y ago
Because there's more precision and we are sitting together making the sharing of the touchpad more awkward then sharing the screen as an interface. It's pretty simple. I also have two kids under 12 and their first reaction to any screen is to use it as an interface and look confused when it doesn't work :D (I use an MBP myself and do find the desire to have a touch interface like her Surface)
withinboredom 4y ago
It sounds like you haven't had that interface. I haven't had a touch screen in nearly 6 years (since my Surface Pro 2 died its final death), and I'm not going to lie, every now and then I still reach up with my ring finger to flick the screen while mashing a function key when doing step debugging.
wkat4242 4y ago
It's actually quite ergonomic if you have the laptop in your lap. Using the touchpad is more awkward. This is basically what I use the touchscreen on my Thinkpad for.
- thfuran 4y ago
  But working with a laptop in your lap is just about the opposite of ergonomic.
  - Koshkin 4y ago
    No, it would be opposite if it was someone else’s lap.
  - wkat4242 4y ago
    True but I don't necessarily "work" like that. Generally it's just reading something quickly, and then the touchscreen is really handy. It's really something that is useful in a small percentage of cases but really helpful in those. I wouldn't want to miss it. Lenovo even does matte touchscreens so there is no disadvantage (I hate glossy screens so Apple isn't an option for me either way). Usually glossy is the tradeoff you make for a touchscreen, but not in this case.
kennethkl 4y ago
you don't strike me as someone who reads much, so i can understand why you don't see the usefulness of scroll pan zoom on a computer. specifically on large pdf documents with tiny text. maybe I'm getting old, but those tech spec sheets text feel like they are getting tinier. also not sure why you'd think ppl wave their hands in front of a touch screen all day blocking their view. most ppl are capable of moving their hands out of the way. it's not clear if you've used a smart phone before, but it's the same. though, i imagine if you did, you'd do as you imagine others do with a touch screen.
satvikpendem 4y ago
It doesn't seem like you've actually tried it, and just because others have and like it doesn't make them "infants" who "continue whining."
specialist 4y ago
Touch screen kiosks can be nice. My local library has a big sign on their self-checkout computer explaining the screen is not touch screen, that you have to use the mouse. I still touch the screen. Every single time. That said, I'm not sure I want my desktop to act like a kiosk. Maybe?
wereallterrrist 4y ago
Well, its got my dad trained to fking jab at my brand new matte scrren and then upon realizing it doesnt work, getting out an ink pen to tap and point on my screen. Ffs. I need a sticker that says "ask before touching".
dang 4y ago
Could you please not post in the flamewar style to Hacker News? It's not what this site is for, and destroys what it is for. You're welcome to make your substantive points without that. https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html

yakubin 4y ago

For scrolling nothing beats PageUp, PageDown, Home and End.