Can you have a portable computer and a tablet in one? Yes, you can have the best of both worlds. You just need to find the best touchscreen laptop for you. Ever since the launch of Windows 8, the number of models available in the market has increased dramatically. You will certainly find the right device for you. You just need to know what to look for. Here is some information and advice to help you with this.
Design
There are three main design options for you to pick from. You should look carefully into them to decide on the most functional one for you. Consider how you plan to use the device as well in order to pick the best touchscreen laptop for you.
There are models with a screen which bends back 360 degrees. That way, the device turns into a slate. You can use the touchscreen capability while the device rests on a desk or another hard surface. However, you will find it difficult to use it as a “classic” tablet.
There are also models with a display which is detached from the keyboard. In this way, the display becomes a fully functional tablet. You can use it for portable entertainment and for performing various tasks on the go. Whenever you need to write something, you simply need to attach the tablet back to the keyboard and you will have a laptop.
The third option is a notebook with a keyboard which slides out from under the display. These notebooks are very thin so they make pretty good tablets. They are not among the most solid personal computers that you will find. The keyboard is thinner than the traditional one even though the buttons are of the same size. Still, these devices can really give you both a laptop and tablet experience.
Display
The display of touchscreen laptops ranges from 11.3 to 13.3 inches. The range is limited due to the fact that they need to work as tablets as well. When you select the display size, you have to think about the size of the whole unit and consider how it will affect the device’s portability.
The displays of virtually all models use LCD technology. There are two main types of LCD technologies which you can select from. The benefits of the twisted nematic LCD technology include fast response time and battery-saving operation. The drawbacks include fewer viewing angles, less deep color and very high contrast, which may make movie watching in a dark room not particularly pleasant.
The in-plane switching LCD technology offers deeper colors and better color accuracy. The range of viewing angles is wider as well. This technology used to offer slower response which resulted in image smudging, but now it has improved considerably. It is found in the most advanced models.
Processor
Most touchscreen laptops come with ultra-low voltage CPU, which is designed to use less energy while offering good performance. Most processors have two cores, but some come with four cores. The latter option is recommended in case many applications have to be used at the same time at considerable speed. The devices with a four-core processor are a good choice for professional use.
There are also hybrid laptops with accelerated processing unit (APU). These processors are made by AMD and are currently making their way into the market. They offer better graphic performance, but not as perfect general performance.
Memory
Virtually all touchscreen laptops available in the marker right now come with 4GB of RAM. This memory is perfectly sufficient for the average user. If you have to store large amounts of data, you should definitely go for a device with greater memory. Another important thing is to check whether smaller memory can be expanded. Some popular devices come with a fixed memory size and cannot accommodate any increases.
Battery Life
Since you will probably use the device on the go most of the time, you need to look for a long battery life. Anything above 6 hours is good. If the batter life is longer than 7 hours, this would be outstanding. If you have to go for a budget device, you should look for a model with at least 4 hours of battery life.
Finally, you should know that the brand matters as well. Check out the warranty and the customer support service to make sure that you are really getting the best touchscreen laptop.
