You're the Pundit: Are we going to see a touch iMac?

Unless Apple releases one by the end of this year, they are going to be beaten (amazingly!) by Microsoft. HP have already released an all in one PC with touch (the HP TouchSmart 601). It moves from the vertical to the horizontal with a swivel stand. All it needs is the upcoming Windows 8 touch based OS, and they will have a winner. You'll still be able to use a keyboard and mouse as before, but with touch as an added, evolving bonus feature. I'm using an iMac now, but will be buying the HP 601 with Windows 8 if Apple doesn't release something soon. Effectively, if you move this desktop into a horizontal position it becomes a giant iPad. Given the changes that Apple has made to Lion I'm guessing something will be arriving soon (otherwise they've messed Lion up for no reason at all). Hurry Apple! Can't believe I'm saying this, but I believe Microsoft is about to overtake you...

My eye doctor's office uses a Windows touch screen system. I asked his assistant how she liked using the touch over a mouse. Her words to me were "at the end of the day I feel like my arm is going to fall off." They use a 20" screen, I can only imagine using touch on a 27" iMac screen.

Like so many other things, Steve knows what he's talking about.

Spanning a 21.5-in. or 27-in. screen from one corner to its opposite would take a HUGE gesture on the user's part. The beauty of a mouse or trackpad has always been that very small finger dynamics can accomplish relatively large movements on a desktop space that would be exasperating in the 1:1 tracking mode of a touch screen.

We'll see it as an option. And not until summer 2012 when winter weather can't keep folks from getting to the store and folks are out and about and there's a greater chance folks will be together and buzz can happen.

We'll see it as an option. And not until summer 2012 when winter weather can't keep folks from getting to the store and folks are out and about and there's a greater chance folks will be together and buzz can be created.

I could see a larger form factor iPad on an arm that swivels the screen from vertical to horizontal being released, or something that's closer to a convertible touchscreen notebook, but I don't think we'll ever see a touchpad iMac in its current form. I know I wouldn't want to try to manipulate my 24" iMac primarily via touch.

I think it is more likely that a new type of iScreen will be introduced that will be a touch screen and will function as a remote monitor to your MAC. You can use your MAC from an iPad so why not offer a touch screen for the desk that can function as a remote monitor for a MAC and a stand alone iOS device as well. It could be used on a flat surface or on a desk stand where it could sit at a 45 degree angle or could be mounted on a wall for mostly video viewing. This will be their answer to Apple entering the TV business. They will find a way to serve TV over the Air like they can now serve all iTunes content over the air. These iScreens could be anywhere and let you access your desktop MAC or function as an iOS device as well.

I don't understand why this keeps coming up. Who is asking for this? Tell me the demographic, and tell me how it makes sense. Unless you plan on using iMacs at mcdonalds, or the occasional public library kiosk, a touch-screen computer is pointless. It would take all of 2 minutes before you got tired and never touched the screen again....

Why this awful idea keeps regurgitating is beyond me.

iPhone was one of apple's big test for big tablet's touch screen a.k.a iPad. now i think iPad is Apple's test for typing on touch screen for the next iMac touch screen. if people use this method a lot, apple just need to make a very thin touch screen display with the hinge that can hold the screen horizontally and vertically. The hinge itself has been patented many years ago.

i dont think imac will goes touch screen due to the thickness. The screen has to be very thin to allow you to touch horizontally because you dont want your elbow hanging while typing. Unless they re-create an all new design like the previous iMac version (LCD screen and logic board on the base of the screen) with new and better design to achieve thin iMac screen, lighter weight for the hinge to hold the screen weights and your pressure when you touch / type. hinge has to be wider to hold touch pressure on corners of the screen. and the list of problems will go on and on.
I think now is not the time for imac touch screen yet. maybe in 2 years time.

Keep in mind Jobs originally stated when the iPod started supporting pictures that nobody would want to watch video on it as the screen would be too small for it to be enjoyable. And then, of course, the iPod started supporting video (incidentally, the real change came because media, via iTunes, became much more available to support it).