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The Best Touch-Screen Laptop Deals This Week*
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
Since smartphones ate the world whole, tapping and touching screens has become an expectation in the new gear you buy. But tap the screen on any given laptop in your local electronics superstore, and it’s a roll of the dice whether you’ll get a response—or just a smudgy fingerprint.Touch screens are a staple of modern computing, but not every laptop has one. It’s a feature that you need to shop for specifically. With some laptop categories, it’s uncertain whether the machine will support touch. With others, their very nature is a virtual guarantee that they will—or won’t. The key is knowing the difference. All machines listed here support touch across different categories, but which one is best for you? Read on for our picks of the best touch-screen laptops in 2024, followed by what you need to know about touch panels in laptops.
Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. See how we test.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Dell XPS 15 (9530) (2023)
Best Overall Touch-Screen Laptop
Bottom Line:
Fully focused on new silicon, the latest Dell XPS 15 laptop adds long battery life to leading performance accessed by a gorgeous OLED touch screen, retaining its best-in-class status.
PROS
Faster performance than ever
GeForce RTX 40 Series GPUs
Brilliant OLED touch screen
Premium build quality
Long battery life
CONS
Limited graphics performance ceiling
Still has 720p webcam
USB-C ports only (adapter included)
SPECS
Name
Value
Laptop Class
Desktop Replacement
Processor
Intel Core i7-13700H
RAM (as Tested)
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Screen Size
15.6 inches
Native Display Resolution
3456 by 2160
Touch Screen
Panel Technology
OLED
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU
Graphics Memory
8 GB
Wireless Networking
802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.71 by 13.6 by 9.1 inches
Weight
4.2 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
14:03
Learn More
Dell XPS 15 (9530) (2023) Review
Asus Zenbook 14X OLED (Q420)
Best Ultraportable Touch-Screen Laptop
Bottom Line:
The Asus Zenbook 14X OLED Q420 model is more of a general productivity ultraportable than a creator machine, but its sharp build, quick CPU, and brilliant OLED display are the best deal for $1,000.
PROS
Snappy 13th Gen Core i7 CPU
Attractive price
Super-slim, premium design
Vibrant 120Hz OLED touch screen
Long battery life
Decent port selection for its size
CONS
Lacks discrete GPU found in alternative 14X model
Only a 512GB SSD
SPECS
Name
Value
Laptop Class
Ultraportable
Processor
Intel Core i7-13700H
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Screen Size
14.5 inches
Native Display Resolution
2880 by 1800
Touch Screen
Panel Technology
OLED
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Iris Xe
Graphics Memory
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.67 by 12.7 by 8.9 inches
Weight
3.44 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
11:45
Learn More
Asus Zenbook 14X OLED (Q420) Review
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
Best Budget Touch-Screen Laptop
Bottom Line:
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 doesn’t reinvent the original, but some minor upgrades and a new CPU put this affordable, stylish notebook back among your best budget options for 2022.
PROS
Competitive performance from updated CPU
Stylish, colorful design
Quality build and comfortable keyboard
Reasonably priced
Swappable SSD and chassis parts for longevity
CONS
Less-than-1080p display with nonstandard resolution
Updated (but still ho-hum) webcam
SPECS
Name
Value
Laptop Class
Budget
Processor
Intel Core i5-1135G7
RAM (as Tested)
8 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
256 GB
Screen Size
12.4 inches
Native Display Resolution
1536 by 1024
Touch Screen
Panel Technology
LCD
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Iris Xe
Graphics Memory
Wireless Networking
802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.62 by 10.95 by 8.12 inches
Weight
2.48 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
12:35
Learn More
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 Review
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (2023)
Best Touch-Screen Business Laptop
Bottom Line:
With the most recent (Gen 12) model omitting the touch screen for now, last year’s ThinkPad X1 Carbon business laptop is still for sale and practically unbeatable (even by its successor’s standards).
PROS
Decent performance and long battery life
World-class keyboard
Slim and light, yet plenty of ports
Handsome 16:10 aspect ratio display
CONS
No SD or microSD card slot
Premium price
4K screen options gone
SPECS
Name
Value
Laptop Class
Business, Ultraportable
Processor
Intel Core i7-1355U
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1200
Touch Screen
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Graphics Memory
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1
Dimensions (HWD)
0.6 by 12.4 by 8.8 inches
Weight
2.48 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
12:50
Learn More
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (2023) Review
Lenovo Slim Pro 9i (16-inch)
Best Touch-Screen Creator Laptop
Bottom Line:
Lenovo’s 16-inch Slim Pro 9i is a formidable desktop replacement laptop and an excellent big-screen choice for content creators and editing professionals.
PROS
Powerful performance
Excellent 16-inch, 165Hz mini-LED display
Versatile port selection
Long battery life
Durable all-aluminum build
CONS
Limited configuration choices
Hefty at nearly 5 pounds
Reflective display
SPECS
Name
Value
Laptop Class
Desktop Replacement
Processor
Intel Core i9-13905H
RAM (as Tested)
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Screen Size
16 inches
Native Display Resolution
3200 by 2000
Touch Screen
Panel Technology
Mini LED
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
165 Hz
Graphics Processor
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU
Graphics Memory
6 GB
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1
Dimensions (HWD)
0.71 by 14.27 by 9.64 inches
Weight
4.92 pounds
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
10:11
Learn More
Lenovo Slim Pro 9i (16-inch) Review
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (Intel)
Best Overall Touch-Screen Detachable 2-in-1
Bottom Line:
Microsoft’s Surface Pro 9 is its most polished yet, with unmatched performance, helpful features, and long battery life among high-end 2-in-1 detachable Windows tablets.
PROS
Impressive performance and battery life
Outstanding cameras
Sleek design, with inking-friendly 3:2 screen
Two Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports
User-upgradable storage
CONS
Essential accessories still not included
No more headphone jack
5G only available with SQ3 processor
High starting price
SPECS
Name
Value
Laptop Class
Detachable 2-in-1
Processor
Intel Core i7-1255U
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
256 GB
Screen Size
13 inches
Native Display Resolution
2880 by 1920
Touch Screen
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Iris Xe
Graphics Memory
Wireless Networking
802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.2
Dimensions (HWD)
0.37 by 11.3 by 8.2 inches
Weight
1.9 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
13:12
Learn More
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (Intel) Review
HP Spectre x360 14 (2024)
Best Overall Touch-Screen Convertible 2-in-1 Laptop
Bottom Line:
The latest iteration of HP’s 14-inch, OLED-screened Spectre x360 holds onto its reign as a top-tier laptop/tablet hybrid, especially for frequent video callers.
PROS
Gorgeous OLED touch screen
Impressive productivity performance
Lengthy battery life
Elegant design
World-class webcam
CONS
Expensive when fully loaded
No SD/microSD card slot or cellular internet
No HDMI port (two USB-C docks included)
No internal pen storage
SPECS
Name
Value
Laptop Class
Convertible 2-in-1, Ultraportable
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
RAM (as Tested)
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
2 TB
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
2880 by 1800
Touch Screen
Panel Technology
OLED
Variable Refresh Support
Dynamic
Screen Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Arc Graphics
Graphics Memory
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.67 by 12.4 by 8.7 inches
Weight
3.19 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
18:03
Learn More
HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) Review
Dell XPS 16 (9640)
Best Big (16-Inch) Touch-Screen Laptop
Bottom Line:
A slick new look and cutting-edge components make Dell’s XPS 16 a dream for Windows-bound creative pros and power users—as long as they have the cash for its premium features and build quality.
PROS
Sleek, slim aesthetic and inputs
Brilliant 4K OLED touch screen
High performance from Intel Core Ultra 7 and GeForce RTX 4070
Impressive battery life
CONS
Expensive
Not all design changes are improvements
USB-C ports only (though USB-A and HDMI adapter provided)
SPECS
Name
Value
Laptop Class
Desktop Replacement
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
RAM (as Tested)
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Screen Size
16.3 inches
Native Display Resolution
3840 by 2400
Touch Screen
Panel Technology
OLED
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
90 Hz
Graphics Processor
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU
Graphics Memory
8 GB
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 7
Dimensions (HWD)
0.74 by 14.1 by 9.4 inches
Weight
4.7 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
18:40
Learn More
Dell XPS 16 (9640) Review
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2
Best Touch-Screen Laptop for Pen-Based Input
Bottom Line:
Microsoft’s Surface Laptop Studio 2 significantly ramps up the performance with modern parts and dedicated AI processing—all while maintaining the unique pull-forward touch-screen design.
PROS
Convertible touch screen becomes drafting tablet
Latest Intel and Nvidia silicon
Dedicated neural chip for local AI
120Hz screen refresh rate
Added USB-A and microSD
Long battery life
Cleverly located, charging magnetic stylus holder
CONS
Surface Pen still sold separately
Expensive
Just-okay Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 color coverage
AI boosts only Windows Studio Effects, for now
SPECS
Name
Value
Laptop Class
Convertible 2-in-1, Desktop Replacement
Processor
Intel Core i7-13700H
RAM (as Tested)
64 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Screen Size
14.4 inches
Native Display Resolution
2400 by 1600
Touch Screen
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
Manual
Screen Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Graphics Processor
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU
Graphics Memory
8 GB
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Dimensions (HWD)
0.86 by 12.72 by 9.06 inches
Weight
4.18 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
15:23
Learn More
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 Review
Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus
Best Overall Touch-Screen Chromebook
Bottom Line:
Lenovo’s Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is an affordable 2-in-1 that showcases the Chromebook Plus generation with speedy performance and flashy features at a reasonable price.
PROS
Sturdy 2-in-1 design mixes durability, flexibility
Above-average ChromeOS performance
Crisp display with touch and pen support
Backlit keyboard
Decent variety of ports
CONS
Budget-feeling plastic construction
Merely average battery life
Stylus pen not included
SPECS
Name
Value
Laptop Class
Chromebook, Convertible 2-in-1, Budget
Processor
Intel Core i3-1315U
RAM (as Tested)
8 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
128 GB
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1200
Touch Screen
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel UHD Graphics
Graphics Memory
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E
Dimensions (HWD)
0.72 by 9 by 12.4 inches
Weight
3.52 lbs
Operating System
Chrome OS
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
11:43
Learn More
Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus Review
Lenovo Flex 3 Chromebook
Best Budget Touch-Screen Chromebook
Bottom Line:
The Lenovo Flex 3 Chromebook is a highly affordable 2-in-1 with a charming design, a responsive touch screen, and a helpful array of ports. However, its plastic construction and lackluster performance call for compromise.
PROS
Responsive 12.2-inch touchscreen
Low price
Compact and lightweight
Decent port selection
Flexible 2-in-1 design
CONS
Middling Intel N100 processor
Storage limited to 64GB eMMC
Lagging battery life
Plastic construction with unwanted chassis flex
SPECS
Name
Value
Laptop Class
Chromebook, Convertible 2-in-1, Budget, Ultraportable
Processor
Intel N100
RAM (as Tested)
4 GB
Boot Drive Type
eMMC Flash Memory
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
64 GB
Screen Size
12.2 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1200
Touch Screen
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel UHD Graphics
Graphics Memory
Wireless Networking
802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), Bluetooth 5.1
Dimensions (HWD)
0.72 by 11.18 by 8.27 inches
Weight
2.76 lbs
Operating System
Chrome OS
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
8:38
Learn More
Lenovo Flex 3 Chromebook Review
Lenovo Yoga Book 9i
Best Dual Display Touch-Screen Laptop
Bottom Line:
If you travel with a notebook plus a portable monitor for dual-display productivity, you’re suddenly in the Stone Age. Lenovo’s double-OLED Yoga Book 9i may have a few rough edges, but it’s the first successful twin-screen laptop.
PROS
Two beautiful 2.8K OLED touch screens and half a dozen ways to use them
Sleek, light design
Comes with Bluetooth wireless keyboard, stylus, and mouse
Helpful User Center and Smart Note software
Impressive webcam and sound
CONS
Premium price
Managing app windows and operating modes takes some getting used to
Just three USB-C/Thunderbolt ports
No audio jack
Virtual touchpad causes annoying vanishing cursor
SPECS
Name
Value
Laptop Class
Convertible 2-in-1, Ultraportable
Processor
Intel Core i7-1355U
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Screen Size
13.3 inches
Native Display Resolution
2880 by 1800
Touch Screen
Panel Technology
OLED dual screen
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Graphics Memory
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.63 by 11.8 by 8 inches
Weight
2.95 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
8:11
Learn More
Lenovo Yoga Book 9i Review
Buying Guide: The Best Touch-Screen Laptops for 2024
At PCMag, we test hundreds of computers a year, many with touch screens, many without. Based on our in-labs testing and deep-dive reviews, we’ve compiled the best touch-equipped machines that have passed through our hands. Below, let’s run through the basics of laptop touch screens and why you might (or might not) want one.Touch Screens 101: The BasicsFirst of all, some terminology. In most cases, a touch-screen-equipped laptop has a conductive digitizing layer, overlaid on the panel element, that allows for tap, pinch, or swipe input. Most modern laptops make use of what’s known as capacitive touch input, in which the over-screen layer detects where you’ve touched with one or more fingers using the conductivity of your skin. This layer is typically a grid of ultra-fine wires or a film; it needs to be subtle or translucent enough to not interfere with viewability.
(Credit: Molly Flores)
That electrical aspect explains why touch screens don’t work if you’re wearing gloves. This is in contrast to the resistive touch technology you might see in other implementations of touch screens, in which the upper layer covering the screen flexes. When you write or tap on a resistive screen, that upper layer closes a circuit with another layer beneath it. (Having to press a little to, say, sign your name on a screen is an earmark of resistive touch.)Back to capacitive, though. The capacitive touch layer maps your finger or pen input to coordinates on the screen that determine the position of your touch. Also detected are parameters such as tap speed, whether you’ve tapped versus swiped, or if you’ve executed a multi-finger touch gesture. Note that tap pressure sensitivity is not a parameter that is typically detected through simple finger touch, though certain touch implementations and stylus pens might transmit that. More on those later.
(Credit: Molly Flores)
A few panels use an infrared X/Y axis-mapping technology, in which sensors in the bezel cross-reference an interruption of their beams at a specific intersecting screen location, but the employment of this tech in laptops is rare. It’s usually seen only in cases where the panel is very large or uses a display technology that is not available in a variant that can accept capacitive touch (or is cost-prohibitive).Note that the screens in a given laptop family may come with options for touch and non-touch versions. This is the case with some mainstream and business-oriented clamshell laptops, especially ones in model lines that sell in lots of subtly different retail configurations, or that have many tweakable configuration options when sold directly. When looking at one of these machines, be cognizant of whether the particular screen or screen option you are looking at supports touch.
(Credit: Molly Flores)
For example, a laptop might offer a choice of a 1080p (1,920-by-1,080-pixel) touch screen or a 4K (3,840-by-2,160-pixel) display without touch support. Or you might find both touch and non-touch options available at 1080p. Attention to detail matters here.Which Laptops Have Touch Screens?Depending on the specific kind of laptop you’re looking at, the tendency toward touch support will vary. Let’s dig into the major types.BUDGET CLAMSHELLS. Most low-cost machines that are straight-up laptops (that is, models that do not have 2-in-1-type hinges or tablet modes) will not have touch screens, but you’ll run across the occasional exception. In under-$500 machines, a touch screen should be seen as a pleasant surprise, not a given. Exception: 2-in-1s, more about which in a moment. (For more, see our picks for the best budget laptops.)MAINSTREAM AND BUSINESS CLAMSHELLS. You’ll see the most varied mix of touch and non-touch models here. This is the category most likely to be fraught with touch versus non-touch models in the same system family. You may be able to specify one or the other type of screen at the time of purchase, or different configurations in the same line may feature different screen types. Look for this, especially in product lines like Lenovo’s ThinkPad or Dell’s XPS. (For more, see our picks for the best business laptops.)
(Credit: Molly Flores)
2-IN-1 CONVERTIBLES AND DETACHABLES. By their very nature, all 2-in-1 machines will have touch screens. When you’re using a 360-degree rotating 2-in-1 in tent or tablet mode, you don’t have access to the keyboard, so touch input is essential in those modes. Likewise in a detachable 2-in-1: Remove the keyboard, and all you’re left with for input is your tapping fingers or a stylus, Indeed, a key differentiator here is whether the 2-in-1 additionally supports stylus input, and if so, whether the stylus is included or costs extra. A high-profile example of the latter is the Microsoft Surface devices, which mandate $99 for their complementing Surface Pen stylus. (For more, see our picks for the best convertible laptops.)
(Credit: Molly Flores)
GAMING LAPTOPS. Most gaming laptops have 15- or 17-inch screens, and very few offer touch input. PC gamers don’t have much use for touch input (PC games aren’t written to support it), and implementing a touch screen would reduce what is an often already-challenged battery. (For more, see our picks for the best gaming laptops.)GIANT-SCREEN MACHINES. It’s rare to see a laptop of any stripe with a 17-inch display that supports touch input. Touch-panel implementations at that size are pricey and simply not cost-effective. They’re also not very practical: As we said, many touch-screen laptops are 2-in-1s, and a 17-inch tablet would be pretty unwieldy. (See our favorite 17-inch laptops.)
(Credit: Molly Flores)
CHROMEBOOKS. Touch screens did not feature in early Chromebook models, but we’re seeing them in more and more new ones. With the emergence of 2-in-1 convertible Chromebooks (most are 360-degree-rotating designs, though a few feature detachable displays), touch is becoming more common in this class, especially as support for Android apps has become the norm on these machines. (For more, see our picks for the best Chromebooks.)
(Credit: Molly Flores)
APPLE MACBOOKS. Sorry! No current Mac desktop or MacBook laptop supports touch screen input unless you count the thin Touch Bar touch strip forward of the keyboard on a few MacBook Pro models. (The Touch Bar is merely a contextual shortcut strip that adapts to the program at hand.) The macOS operating system isn’t optimized for touch. In the Apple sphere, full-touch displays are reserved for the company’s iPhones and iPads.What Are the Disadvantages of Touch-Screen Laptops?You might think it’s a given that having a touch screen is a good thing if you can get one. But you’ll want to consider a few factors before going all in.CONSIDER BATTERY DRAIN. All else being equal, a touch screen will reduce your battery life versus an identical non-touch screen in the same system. That’s because the system has to keep a trickle of power fed to the digitizing layer, which will be always on, waiting for your fingertip or stylus tip to tap. That said, we emphasize “all else being equal”: The battery factor is seldom an apples-to-apples comparison, because touch screens in a given laptop line that also offers non-touch options also tend to be higher-end, higher-resolution, or higher-brightness screens that, by their nature, consume more power to start with—the touch aspect regardless.
(Credit: Molly Flores)
WILL YOU ACTUALLY USE IT? Think about how you work or play, day to day, before insisting on a touch panel. If your main PC activity is mincing through fine-celled spreadsheets, jabbing a touch screen with a finger might not afford the precision or utility you need for operations. If you spend most of your time tapping through YouTube videos, on the other hand, touch can be a delight.Also, consider the ergonomic aspects. To use a touch panel much, you’ll be reaching from keyboard to screen, which can clash with your workflow on a clamshell machine. So make sure that kind of reaching jibes with your day-to-day usage. Alternately, if you’ll often be tapping at music- and movie-playback controls on the screen or poking frenetically at YouTube thumbnails, consider a 2-in-1 that you can prop up in A-frame or tent mode, in which tapping the screen makes more sense and requires less reaching.
(Credit: Molly Flores)
ARE YOU GOOD WITH GLOSSY? Most touch screens have a glossy facing that extends across both the screen and its bezels (the borders surrounding the screen). Matte-finish touch screens are uncommon. The seamless bezel coverage allows for side-in swipes and prevents interruption of your tap and swipe activity near the screen’s periphery. That’s fine if you like glossy screens, and they can enhance the perceived vividness of the panel. But know that screens of this kind are more prone to smudging, and they tend to be afflicted by glare outdoors or under harsh indoor lighting more than matte panels are. Keep a lens cleaning cloth handy.THICKNESS AND WEIGHT. Implementing a touch layer on the screen’s face means a bit of additional material and circuitry. It’s minimal, but know that a touch versus a non-touch laptop will levy a slight penalty on both fronts—again, all things being equal.Can You Use a Stylus on Your Touch Screen?Separate from simple tap, swipe, and pinch actions on the screen, pen support requires a touch-capable screen. If sketching or handwritten note-taking are part of how you work, you’ll want to investigate the pen options available in a given touch-screen laptop.
(Credit: Molly Flores)
Usually, it’s just the 2-in-1s that will offer them. Stylus types range from a simple passive stick, which is essentially a more precise surrogate for your fingertip, to an active pen, which has a built-in battery and will have click buttons on the pen and possibly support for pressure sensitivity.Top of the line are true digital pens, which are active—meaning, they are powered by their internal battery. Pens of this kind will include click buttons, pressure-sensitivity detection, angle detection, and possibly a digital “eraser” on the top. A prime example of the latter is Microsoft’s Surface Pen we mentioned earlier, which works with the company’s line of detachable laptops.
(Credit: Molly Flores)
If you go this route, also investigate the pen storage scheme. A laptop or convertible stylus is easy to lose in your bag or leave behind if it doesn’t have a niche to tuck into. Some laptop and 2-in-1 makers employ a magnetic virtual “clip” that sticks the pen onto the side of the unit (the Surfaces are known for that), or in a few cases, provide a plastic bracket that may insert into a USB port. (Fortunately, we haven’t seen one of those in a new model in a while.)
(Credit: Molly Flores)
Windows Ink, which was introduced in a 2016 update to Windows 10, can also be a compelling reason to investigate the stylus capabilities of a given touch-enabled laptop. With the introduction of Ink came support for Sticky Notes, Sketchpad, and Screen Sketch within the OS. With Sticky Notes, you can scrawl on virtual Post-It notes and have Cortana interpret relevant information from your scribbles, such as email addresses and phone numbers, and make them actionable. Sketchpad lets you do freeform drawing with basic tools. In contrast, Screen Sketch lets you annotate onscreen images freehand, which is great for UI designers, developers, or others who work with graphical elements that need feedback. Other pen-enabled apps appear in the Windows Ink Workspace, a pen-centric panel that you can pop up with an icon in your taskbar.Which Brand Is Best for a Touch-Screen Laptop?There’s no single answer to that question, as the “best” machine for you depends on your specific needs and budget. That said, Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo, among other PC OEMs, have touch-screen models, but sometimes touch-screen panels and non-touch ones are offered in different configurations of the same machine, in the same family. Make sure you know what you’re getting (or not getting) when you buy. Also, as mentioned, Apple is the one brand to not expect a touch-screen from; all of its MacBooks use non-touch panels. So, What Is the Best Touch-Screen Laptop to Buy?That’s where our reviews come in. Our rankings above and below line up our current-favorite clamshells, detachables, rotating 2-in-1s, and Chromebooks that support touch. Note that if you find one you like and decide to order from an e-tailer, we strongly recommend that you double-check that the specific model you’re looking at (especially if it’s a configurable clamshell) does include the touch-screen option.In the case of a few models in our ranking, the specific model may support a touch-screen option, but we may have reviewed a non-touch version and our online pricing links may point to that. Bear that in mind if you click through to an e-tailer.
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