Would you buy a Touch-Screen iMac?

[carfac]

I think a touch screen is good... for a few, very limited applications. Like an ATM. However, I think a multi-function interface device that augments a monitor is something that would be ideal. That is, same old iMac desktop, but a change to the keyboard/mouse.

We see somethings like this now, I think the "LED" keyboard is similar to what I think. I think the monitor will always be a monitor. The monitor sits way over there, too far to always be touching (not to mention keeping it clean!). A multi-touch will be a peripheral, not the main unit, at least in Dave's World!

 

[chinajon]

Minority Report

OK, guys. It's time for a paradigm shift.
1. Looking at the image needs our eyes. The size of the screen is irrelevant. Personally I like to watch movies on my computer, and sit back and watch a big screen. 24 inch iMac? Cool. But for work? I would not mind if the screen was actually switchable between the 24 inch screen and a lightweight headset with built in 3D visualization. No need for red-blue filters if you can feed the two images to each eye individually.
2. Controlling the computer needs an interface. We use keyboards, mouse, pads and tablets. Adding touch to these devices is better than a totally new redesign of the iMac. The 'touch pad' can be anywhere, not only on the screen. It can even be a virtual pad. We already have 'mouse gestures' to control software. It is a next step to detect other gestures which control the screen or the application.

Perhaps we will see an iPod like screen built in to the keyboard which can display a variety of menus and allow iPod like control of whatever computer the keyboard is attached to without need a new screen at all. After all, it is beauty and convenience we seek, not expensive new screens. Remember the little joystick stuck in the middle of IBM keyboards? Some people hated them, some people loved them. Where would an iPod/touch screen controller go? How about below the space bar with nice cushy wrist pads on either side?

 

[kuebby]

I think a touch screen could go either way (useful or a pain). I think a mixture of both would be best. So maybe not a touch monitor but rather a small touchpad that you hold in your hands to do small functions that connects via BT to the computer. For example if you were using PS you could use it to select functions or as a color palette. In iTunes it would be a volume control and equalizer. And in Word it would be the formatting tool bar. And when you weren't using it the screen saver would be cycling through all of your widgets.

 

[OCOTILLO]

A touchscreen on a phone, pda, or tablet notebook makes sense. I see no point in a touchscreen iMac.

 

[urbanskywalker]

I think touchscreen is way over reaching for expectations and you will be dissapointed when we just get another imac.

 

[grafikat]

I think that a touchscreen/tablet mac with a stylus would make a great surfin' machine, maybe good for photoediting.....

Finger touch screen isn't very accurate.

 

[rowpindi]

If apple was to make the imac touch screen u all kno it would work. apple is good at inventing things that ppl end up just wanting.
heres how i think they could incorporate touch screen into an imac: make the imac pivot-able so that you can basically drag it from the upright (vertical) position to a horizontal position.
btw wheres the evidence that it will cost that much more, i'm sure it wouldn't end up being that much more (30-50, i just made up those figures btw)
ppl who say theres no use could be totally wrong, im sure apple can invent ways to make us need touch control in the future!

 

[Chris Bangle]

multitouch would be the best thing in the world ever for an imac. It would be awesome. I would buy one defiantly and definatly. or have a multitouch keyboard (an area on the keyobard which is touchscreen.)

 

[mescalito]

I do not see major advantages of touchscreen iMacs at this point. It would be awkward to use unless the screen were lying down flat.

I am more curious as to how feasible cursor control via eye movement is. Whereever you look on the screen the cursor goes. Double-click = Double-blink.

Touchscreen iMac would enable some pretty cool recreational applications; e.g. checkers, fingerpainting, playing with objects in a 3-D virtual landscape.

I just can't wait to get a new iMac!

 

[holamiamigos]

it all depends on how the keynote goes! haha

 

[Genghis Khan]

i highly doubt that apple will change their whole mainline over to touchscreen...first thing they'd do is offer ACD with it and a software update

 

[a456]

I agree with this comment. A small touchscreen tablet is one thing but a 17"/20"/24" touchscreen iMac? In retail, yes, but I don't see any practical use for it for the consumer market.

See how long it takes to move the mouse cursor across a 30" screen and click on the precise scroll bar or folder. Now try it with your finger on the screen. Now try pressing two different folders on opposite sides of the screen at once and imagine them opening simultaneously. Imagine how much time this could save once you get used to it. Using a mouse or trackpad (and keyboard) you do one thing at a time but potentially with multi-touch you really could be simultaneously using two programs.

 

[rainydays]

Can't see why I would want a touchscreen on my desktop system. At least not until there are operating systems and apps with an UI that will let me put away the keyboard and mouse forever. And that is several years into the future.

A touchscreen for the current iMac model and the current OS/Apps would just be an expensive gimmick.

 

[Digital Skunk]

I would not buy one because I don't like the all in one computers. I might buy a touch screen MacBook Pro though, if it came out by the time I graduate from High School in 2008.

laptops are all-in-one computers ya know.

 

[rainydays]

See how long it takes to move the mouse cursor across a 30" screen and click on the precise scroll bar or folder.

Actually working with the arms and hands across a whole 30" screen would be a pain for daily use. I am be able to work way faster than that with my wacom tablet. Granted, it is more intuitive to "touch" the things you want to manipulate. But in terms of speed and saving time, I disagree with you.

 

[imac/cheese]

See how long it takes to move the mouse cursor across a 30" screen and click on the precise scroll bar or folder. Now try it with your finger on the screen. Now try pressing two different folders on opposite sides of the screen at once and imagine them opening simultaneously. Imagine how much time this could save once you get used to it. Using a mouse or trackpad (and keyboard) you do one thing at a time but potentially with multi-touch you really could be simultaneously using two programs.

I agree, there are definitely great applications for this technology, but for many of the things I use my computer for, this would be a waste of money. Also, I really don't want to have finger smudges all over my screen. Though it might save a little time in quicker applications, I would spend extra time trying to clean my screen so I could actually see my applications.

 

[sorryiwasdreami]

I think we are on the cusp of a paradigm shift in the way we view computing.

 

[Big-TDI-Guy]

"Remember the little joystick stuck in the middle of IBM keyboards?"

Remember? It's still here. Ripped from a laptop keyboard, and modified to work as my Imac keyboard. Fing-Longer gets along great with a mouse, can't imagine life without it.

Touch Screen Imacs - my sig says it all.

I can't imagine how much a 24" touch-screen would even cost - that is, if I did smash my head and suddenly crave one.

 

[SkyBell]

They'd at least better give you the option to use a mouse if desired..

 

[wjblol]

Absolutely not.

I just don't feel good touching a sensitive 24" screen.

 

[CRAZYBUBBA]

Its refreshing to see so many people say no. I thought that I would be a minority.

 

[ReanimationLP]

I dont see them doing it for this revision.

The technologies are still expensive, plus then, HP has a touchscreen machine out, and it barely sells. In fact, they've bumped the price up to 1850!