Hybrid Digitizer Touch Screens

When it comes to touch screens on laptop computers, there are three types that you should be aware of. There are passive digitizers, active digitizers, and hybrid digitizers. There are advantages and disadvantages to both passive and active digitizers. The hybrid digitizer is really the best of both worlds.

Let's talk about passive digitizers first. With this set up, the touch screen will recognize impute from your finger or a stylus. You don't have to use an electronic pen to use this type of system. That's the advantage. The disadvantage is that they aren't quite as accurate as active systems because your finger is much wider and the point of an electronic stylus would be.

Now let's talk about active digitizers. With this set up, the screen will only recognize input from an electronic pen. The disadvantage here is that you can't use your finger to manipulate the touch screen. The advantage is that they are usually much more accurate since the tip of the stylus is finer than the width of your finger. They also do a better job of recognizing handwriting input and converting it to text.

There are definitely times when it would be nice to have a touch screen that functioned both like a passive and an active digitizing system. The best of both worlds is the hybrid digitizer. With this set up, you can change the touch screen from passive to active or vice versa with just a touch of a button.

This way you can get the most out of your touchscreen laptop computer. Only one or two manufactures currently have the hybrid systems available. Consumers should expect to find this technology available on more and more devices. The use of touchscreens on personal computers is becoming more and more common and with more people demanding touch interface capabilities on their mobile computing devices, the technology is bound to improve. Even though touch screens aren't new, they are new to personal computers.

As manufacturers learn more and more about what consumers really want out of this kind of interface, the features and functionality will improve. After all, it consumers who really shape the future of technology. Designers are really good at listening to what computer users want and delivering it. Like all new technology, it will take a bit of time before this technology really matures. Be patient and it will get there. Having said that, there are some really great laptops on the market that support touch interfacing. Everyday, more and more manufacturers and jumping on the band wagon.

Patty Hahne

The author enjoys writing about laptop technology and touch screen laptop computers are one of those topics. A touch screen laptop can be a very productive tool for work, school, or pleasure