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 an expected inclusion, quietly tacked onto nearly every model.
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 pragmatic realization that it often adds little value to the everyday computing experience.
During a demonstration with one PC manufacturer, a simple observation about the surprisingly smooth matte touchscreen sparked a noticeable reaction. The representative seemed genuinely surprised anyone was even *noticing* the touchscreen, let alone commenting on it. It wasn’t part of their prepared presentation.
The reality is stark: laptops are increasingly equipped with touchscreens, but there’s simply not much new to say about them. Demonstrations focus on AI, performance, and battery life – the touchscreen is consistently overlooked, a silent component in a world of vocal 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 scroll through web pages and documents on a Windows 10 machine, finding it a genuinely useful feature.
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 apps 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. The interface feels like an afterthought, a forced adaptation rather than a natural extension.
Even Windows itself seems hesitant. While a “tablet mode” exists, it’s often inaccessible on laptops without fully rotating screens. And even when activated, the changes are minimal – slightly larger touch targets and altered gestures are the most noticeable differences.
Those gestures, in fact, have regressed. A simple swipe that once summoned the Task View now opens a feed of unwanted news stories. It’s a frustrating example of a feature moving backward, diminishing the potential of touch interaction.
This is particularly disappointing given the rise of dual-screen devices. Machines like the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i offer exciting possibilities, but a truly compelling experience requires a touch interface that actually *works* seamlessly with the software. Without it, the potential remains untapped.
There is one exception: pen input. Convertible laptops like the Surface Pro excel at note-taking and creative tasks with an active pen. The digitizer layer beneath the screen provides a precise and responsive experience for artists and professionals.
However, even pen support often goes unused. Many buyers invest in 2-in-1 devices with pen capabilities and rarely take advantage of them, highlighting the need for a more integrated and intuitive touch experience across the board.
So, what’s the takeaway for laptop shoppers? Ignore the touchscreen unless you have a specific need for it. If a laptop you like happens to have one, that’s fine. But don’t prioritize it, and certainly don’t pay extra. You likely won’t miss it.
The touchscreen’s current state feels like a checkbox item, a marketing feature rather than a genuine enhancement. Until Microsoft invests in a truly touch-optimized experience, it remains a largely untapped potential, a quiet presence on a growing number of laptops.
