Acer to Launch Touch-enabled PCs for Windows 7

News
By Marcus Yam
published

Everyone's going to have new PCs for Windows 7, but Acer's are going to be touchy feely.

Thanks to the touch interface technologies included in Windows 7, we'll likely be seeing a far greater number of touch-enable computers hitting the market.

Acer, now among the top three biggest computer makers in the world, plans to launch three touch-based computers alongside Windows 7. Digitimes cites Acer project manager Shih Hung-wu as saying that touch-enabled netbooks could serve as cheaper alternatives to tablet PCs.

Acer is also said to be looking into in-cell touch panel technology, which builds the touch sensitive components directly on the LCD. Such a technology would be cheaper than the ones layered on top of screens and are easier to apply to new products. Expect many new product announcements for around the time of Windows 7's launch.

Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam served as Tom's Hardware News Director during 2008-2014. He entered tech media in the late 90s and fondly remembers the days when an overclocked Celeron 300A and Voodoo2 SLI comprised a gaming rig with the ultimate street cred.
13 Comments Comment from the forums
  • haunted one
    Cool
    Reply
  • 08nwsula
    now I'll just need to drop one into a coffee table and have the coolest htpc around.
    Reply
  • coopchennick
    As far as a desktop setup goes, I think a mouse and keyboard is way more convenient.

    The only reason that HP touch desktop thing is around is because is so COOL!
    Reply
  • Robert17
    Methinks that "special" keyboards and mice, and probably some new critters, are just around the corner.
    Reply
  • daship
    Touch is Hella cool, but it is not gonna be freindly on the human body at all. A standard desktop setup will not be comfortable enough for touch.

    Touch needs a table of some sort to really be efficient. I've had a touch screen for a while and it hurts the shoulders after a while.
    Reply
  • zerapio
    Can some say carputer? This thing would be awesome for that.
    Reply
  • zerapio
    *someone
    Reply
  • falchard
    I can't really imagine wanting a touch interface that isn't an OLED display.
    Reply
  • LORD_ORION
    Great for kids....
    Reply
  • michaelahess
    I've put a touchscreen on my dell mini9 and I must say, after using it for a bit, when I go back to my full size laptop, I start touching the screen! There are things that are easier to use touch for than keyboard or mouse....
    Reply