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 hype has faded, and the practical benefits have diminished, leaving a feature that feels…almost forgotten.
During a demonstration with one PC manufacturer, I complimented the surprisingly smooth matte touchscreen. The representative seemed genuinely surprised I’d even noticed it. It wasn’t part of their presentation, a telling sign of how little emphasis is placed on this technology anymore.
The reality is stark. Laptop makers rarely highlight touchscreens during new hardware reveals. The focus is squarely on AI, performance, battery life, and gaming – areas where tangible improvements are readily apparent. A compelling vision for touchscreen utility in everyday use remains conspicuously absent.
I once championed touchscreen laptops, recalling the satisfying experience of scrolling through web pages on a Windows 10 device. It felt intuitive and natural, even without specialized apps. But that experience hinged on a crucial factor: the abysmal state of touchpads at the time.
Modern Windows 11 laptops have revolutionized the touchpad. Responsive, accurate, and capable, they eliminate the need to reach for the screen to scroll. Apple understood this years ago, prioritizing a superior touchpad experience over touchscreen functionality.
The software ecosystem hasn’t kept pace either. While 2-in-1 convertibles offer the flexibility of “tablet mode,” the experience feels compromised. Holding a thick laptop with keys digging into your hands isn’t a natural or comfortable way to use a tablet.
The initial promise of touch-optimized apps has largely evaporated. The starry-eyed optimism of the Windows 8 and 10 eras is gone, replaced by a touchscreen experience that simply mimics mouse cursor control. Windows feels “mouse-first” even on devices *without* a mouse.
Even Windows 11’s “tablet mode” feels like a half-hearted attempt. Activation is often restricted to devices that physically rotate into a tablet position, and the changes are minimal – slightly more space between touch targets on the taskbar. It’s a far cry from a truly optimized experience.
Worse still, Windows 11’s touch gestures have actually *regressed*. A simple swipe from the left now opens the Widgets pane, a frustrating change from the intuitive Task View access on Windows 10. It’s a step backward in usability.
This is particularly disappointing given the rise of dual-screen devices. Machines like the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i offer exciting possibilities, but their potential is hampered by a lackluster touchscreen experience. A truly touch-optimized Windows would unlock their full potential.
There is one exception: pen input. Convertible laptops like the Surface Pro excel at note-taking and creative tasks with an active pen. However, a pen requires a digitizer layer, not necessarily a full touchscreen. It’s a specialized use case that sets these devices apart.
So, what’s the takeaway for laptop buyers? Ignore the touchscreen unless you have a specific need for it. It’s often a spec sheet filler, a feature manufacturers can claim without delivering a truly compelling experience.
If a laptop you like happens to have a touchscreen, that’s fine. If it’s a tie between two equally priced models, the touchscreen might be a minor bonus. But don’t pay extra for a feature that’s likely to go unused. You won’t be missing much – at least, not until Microsoft reinvests in a truly touch-centric future.
