At the sprawling tech showcase of CES 2026, a curious trend emerged – or rather, didn’t. Touchscreens were *everywhere* on laptops, yet manufacturers weren’t actively demonstrating them. It felt less like a celebrated feature and more like a standard inclusion, almost an obligation.
This subtle shift reveals a surprising truth: for most laptop buyers, a touchscreen is likely unnecessary. The excitement surrounding touch functionality has faded, replaced by a quiet acknowledgment that it often adds little practical value to the modern computing experience.
During a demonstration with one PC manufacturer, a simple touch on the laptop’s matte display – surprisingly smooth for a touchscreen – elicited a noticeable reaction. The representative seemed genuinely surprised anyone was even *noticing* the touchscreen. It wasn’t part of their prepared presentation.
The reality is stark: laptops are routinely equipped with touchscreens, but there’s little compelling to discuss. Demonstrations focus on AI, performance, and battery life – the features that truly drive sales. The touchscreen remains largely ignored, a silent component in a world of dynamic innovation.
There was a time when touchscreens felt like a solution, compensating for the shortcomings of older technology. I once enthusiastically endorsed using touch to navigate web pages and documents on a Windows 10 machine, finding it a genuinely useful addition.
However, that experience highlighted a critical flaw: the touchpads of that era were simply inadequate. Modern Windows 11 laptops boast responsive, capable touchpads, rendering the need to reach for the screen almost obsolete. Apple understood this long ago, prioritizing touchpad precision.
The software ecosystem hasn’t kept pace either. While 2-in-1 convertible laptops offer the flexibility of “tablet mode,” the experience feels compromised – an awkwardly thick tablet with keys on the back. The promise of touch-optimized applications has largely vanished.
Today’s Windows applications aren’t designed with touch in mind. The optimistic vision of the Windows 8 and 10 eras has given way to a “mouse-first” approach, even on devices marketed as tablets. Microsoft’s attempt at a touch-centric interface felt forced then, and the pendulum has swung too far in the opposite direction now.
Even Windows 11’s “tablet mode” feels like an afterthought. Activation is often limited to devices with physically rotating screens, and the changes are minimal – slightly more space between touch targets on the taskbar. The gestures themselves have even regressed, replacing useful functionality with unwanted features.
The shift is particularly frustrating considering the rise of dual-display devices. These machines *could* benefit immensely from a refined touch experience, but without a truly optimized interface and supporting software, they fall short of their potential. They remain intriguing concepts, not fully realized tools.
Pen input remains a notable exception. For note-taking and creative work, a compatible stylus offers a compelling experience on 2-in-1 devices like the Surface Pro. However, even this feature often goes unused, a testament to the fact that many buyers simply don’t require it.
So, what’s the takeaway for the average laptop shopper? Ignore the touchscreen unless you have a specific need for it. It’s often a spec sheet filler, a feature manufacturers can tout without adding significant value. If the laptop you want happens to have a touchscreen, that’s fine. But don’t actively seek it out.
If faced with two equally priced laptops, one with a touchscreen and one without, the choice is simple. And if a non-touchscreen option saves you money, choose that one. You won’t be missing out on much – at least, not until Microsoft reignites the promise of a truly intuitive touchscreen experience.
