The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)

Agreed. You (Dave, not stallmer) are trying to confuse personal preference with facts. I like Apple in many ways, but they do not necessarily define "correct." I'm sure that many people want to touch their notebook's screen, and it makes sense in a lot of ways. Don't diss something just because that's not what Apple chose to do.

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The iPhone (and any small slate computer) needs to use a touch-screen because that is your only interface for using that device. These small computers don't have keyboards or mice, and these types of input devices don't make sense for pocket computers and the simple applications that you use on them (you won't be using Photoshop or Dreamweaver on an iPhone).

But for a notebook or desktop computer, running your fingers across the screen is absurd. That is why MacBooks have the multi-touch input on the trackpad… and not the screen.

If you don't believe that using your fingers on the screen of a full-sized computer is a ridiculous idea, you need to find this out for yourself. Go to any store and try to use HP's touch screen computers. At first it seems like a very cool idea, but try using applications like Word, Photoshop, Excel, etc. (all of the real-word applications you would use on a computer) and you'll find that you'll hate it after an hour of use, and you'd stop using it entirely after a full day of use. Raising and stretching your arms outward every so often becomes very uncomfortable (painful) and it breaks your work-flow when you have to toss your hands from a restful position on the keyboard/trackpad/mouse to an outstretched position to touch the screen, and then back again constantly.

On the other hand, using multi-touch on the new MacBook trackpad is easy, efficient, and intuitive. People who have bought these new notebooks are continually using multi-touch options when it's preferable to other methods of input.

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I signed into the comments here to convey precisely the same message.

The contradiction here is glaring. At first I thought the article was going to argue in favor of Apple making a more subtle transition into multitouch display territory through the trackpad, but then the statement you quoted came out of left field.

That said, Caolo does bring it home with respect to Apple's patience. Indeed they are patient -- theoretically enough so, so that they do it "right" the first time.

Here's hoping the current-gen's glossy displays have nothing to do with Apple's expected foray. In that case, this article would be spot on.

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@CommonSense You make a point, you really do, but in practice, I have to disagree to a large extent.

I was fortunate enough to sit down with the new HP for a prolonged period of time and was quite surprised by the elegant implementation of the touch interface. Of course, it's not without its kinks, but from the standpoint of the point you're trying to make, that's irrelevant.

What I will concede is that making best use of the surface required a bit of retraining in terms of how I interact with the computer -- much like making the transition from a mouse to a trackpad some ten years ago, and much like making the transition from a "traditional" trackpad to Apple's current brilliant implementation.

Speaking of brilliant implementation, I will also concede that Apple, with its trackpad, has indeed outdone HP in terms of utility. While HP's implementation was elegant, as I suggested, and not nearly as painstaking as you suggest (e.g. I could really see myself using it frequently once I got used to it), Apple still gives us a much more functional way to interact with our computers.

Eventually, however, the distinction will change. Not only will multitouch dominate, but our physical orientation in relation to the computer will eventually do so as well. That is to say, we will likely no longer have to "stretch out" in the way you describe. Instead, things will come to us.

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Yeah, Dave, my 4 year old son is an idiot. He keeps touching the thumbnails on the screen to try and make them bigger. I'll learn him good, "screens ain't for touchin' boy! Damn your momma's yankee genes!"

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I can't imagine touching my MBP 17 screen. the thing is flimsy enough as it is. i just do not see the point. I don't think Apple will release that feature on a notebook or an imac anytime soon. I think if you see it, it will be on a handheld little larger than the iphone or netbook size tablet type device. i would buy one of those in a minute. if they don't release one (netbook or tablet) I am thinking about loading Leopard on an MSI Wind.

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You forgot to mention how often it is suggested that other companies are copying Apple when they do something "first".

Of course, I stoke the flames only to point out, for the record, that in terms of fanboyism, which better translates to "bias" in this case, you are visiting a site called, "The Unofficial Apple Weblog", as opposed to "Bipartisan Computing From The Apple Perspective".

With that in mind, is it not slightly more rational to expect the editors to favor the brand somewhat? Further, isn't it a tad counterproductive to call attention to the notion in such a heated way?

If you expect fair and balanced from a "fanboy" site, it probably makes more sense to go elsewhere.

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"why the hell is apple so behind on this?"

For one simple reason, tablets have been a dismal failure to this point.

I'm sure Apple will make some sort of netbook eventually. It will likely have multitouch. And it will be something none of us expected but exceeds any expectations we had.

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"Every time I see one of those laptops where the screen spins around and becomes a tablet I think 'why the hell is apple so behind on this?'"

Because it's stupid?

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Mike (the author, not the commenter), you are so right. You put into words what I couldn't, and these are my feelings exactly.

Here's the thing. The iPhone is a fantastic mobile device. But it is not, and never will be, a viable computing platform for productivity. Why? Well, the biggest reason is because your fingers are in the way! I run into this constantly; not being able to see exactly where your pointer is, and what the area around it looks like is a MASSIVE impediment.

It is not a matter of personal preference or opinion, as some commenters here suggest. A touch screen sounds great in theory, but everyone I know who's ever actually used one will agree that while it's fun for the first five minutes, it is completely impractical. Anyone who disagrees is being a fanboy and not looking at the plain and simple facts.

It's funny how the fanboys are always the first to scream "fanboy!!!". This isn't about Apple ALWAYS being the best. It's about the pure and simple FACT that Apple is doing this the right way, not the impractical greasy craptop way.

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The author was stating his opinion that the trackpad using multi-touch was better. The original article author was comparing apples to oranges with HP's Windows-based notebook.

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