When Windows 8 first came out, it redesigned the user interface to compete with touchscreen products like the Apple iPad. At that time, Microsoft believed tablet computing was a threat to desktop and keyboard-oriented way of computing.

Since then, the company has made efforts to return to its previous strengths. Windows 10 allows users to switch between Tablet and Start Menu mode. But the touchscreen monitor has remained. Multi-touch gestures are increasingly a part of everyday life. They have made their way to every major mobile platform in use today.

Today’s multitouch monitors can seem like useful, futuristic business tools in many industries, but don’t always live up to their promises. While there is real consumer interest in finding and purchasing large, high-resolution multitouch monitors online, there is conspicuously little conversation about the real value these devices represent.

Types of Multitouch Monitors Available

Multitouch monitors come in a few basic categories. Taking the time to learn about the difference between these products will help you determine which, if any, represents a key value for you.

  • Multitouch Laptops. The laptop is the most obvious system to incorporate a multitouch interface with. Navigating some applications is easier when you don’t have to use a small trackpad or type. For some users, this can be a powerful motivator for investing in a multitouch monitor.

However, multitouch laptops have their downsides. First, touchscreen interfaces draw a significant amount of power at a constant rate, affecting battery life. Second, touchscreen laptops are, by necessity, more exposed to dirt and grime than non-touchscreen monitors – and it shows more than it shows on a normal keyboard.

However, the relative efficiency and novelty of the concept means there is a market for the multitouch laptop. Further enhancements may lead to the market gravitating towards two-screen laptops. These advanced machines would provide a dynamic controller touchscreen that covers the bottom half of the device.

  • Desktop Tower and Monitor Systems. If you have a high-powered tower computer and need a display for it, you may consider opting for a multitouch monitor. However, you’ll quickly be dismayed at the relative costs involved. The average 24-inch touchscreen costs a few hundred dollars. A similarly-sized touchscreen interface costs thousands with current technology and manufacturing capabilities.

This price difference isn’t as noticeable when it comes to laptop computers because laptops tend to have smaller displays. It becomes a key differentiator when dealing with desktop monitors.  Most users want their desktop monitors to be as large as possible while offering the sharpest image quality.

  • Desktop All-in-One Computers. Hardware manufacturers are increasingly interested in offering consumers an all-in-one gesture-based interface that feels like it belongs in the science fiction film Minority Report. In fact, some manufacturers are specifically marketing that angle whenever possible.

While operating a desktop all-in-one multitouch computer can feel futuristic, the fact is that the computer mouse and laptop trackpad are still more accurate and easier to use. This becomes apparent when typing and using shortcut keys to copy and paste.

Until voice-activated AI becomes a common market feature, typing remains the most convenient way to input information into a computer. The multitouch monitor is  best considered a step on the way to a future input paradigm rather than a transformative technology in its own right.

Industries Where Multitouch Monitors Make Sense

There are some industries where investing in a multitouch monitor makes sense. Generally, you can exclude any industry that relies on typing for input and emphasize any industry that relies more on media flow, audio/visual creativity, or tactile response.

For instance, in the world of professional audio reinforcement, touch screen interfaces and multitouch monitors are already a standard feature on higher-end mixing consoles. These interfaces address key issues that sound engineers typically have with older button-and-knob mixing desks. Issues like accidentally twisting knobs, replacing faulty mechanical parts, or adapting to user layout preferences are a thing of the past.

In the past, every system had its layout and every user had to learn that layout before using the console. Now, an engineer can simply set the multitouch system to any desired layout and immediately get to work.

The value of a multitouch monitor makes sense in this context, just as it does in graphic design, film production, and other media-related industries. This doesn’t mean that investing in one will improve graphics processes or make audio mixes sound better, however.

These exceptional cases correspond to a small minority within the greater field of professional computer users. A programmer is unlikely to find a multitouch monitor to be any more useful than a traditional monitor. Your employees may feel the same way.

Still unsure whether you need a multitouch monitor? Talk to our team and get an unbiased expert opinion.