Touchscreens: fad or must have/rly want?

[icanhazcpuplz]

I've been looking at the new HP tm2 and was wondering what people with tablet/touchscreen laptops think of them. I think the tm2 is still a bit too pricey, but it's damn nice!

I'd like the opinions of people actually using convertible touchscreen laptops: how do *you* actually use the touchscreen? What are your pet peeves about them, what is the primary role of said laptop, what do you like best about them?

Would you buy one again?

Note about me: I have a decent work/gaming desktop PC, a fairly decent HTPC, and a lowly eeePC 701 that I'm looking to replace. The eeePC is really cute, but it just doesn't cut it anymore, it's way too underpowered, just everywhere - so here I am thinking these new tablet laptops would be 'just right' for the job...

edit: fixed url

 

[buwish]

I had one: an HP convertible tablet. Save for the fact that the thing was a POS (lasted less than a year due to the fact that it ran far far far too hot), I liked the touchscreen, even though it wasn't the best in terms of response time. I didn't use the touch feature all of the time, as it was more or less a gimmick in my opinion. But it did come in handy for showing presentations and info to people.

 

[comemaiz]

I think touchscreens are best for applications/environments that limit or prohibit the use of external devices; they are very, very cool to use on a tablet PC while flying, because you have more room to move your arms withoult any pointing limitation.
I work on oil industry, and touchscreens are mandatory on rough computers used at explossion risk environments over there.
The prr
oof touchscreens are a gain in computer development, is that they're being included on many of the latests HP, Sony VAIO, etc laptops/tablet PCs.

 

[lotri]

I don't think it's a "must have" type of thing, but more of a gadget feature. It's nice to not need a mouse, and it helps if you use it as a tablet.. but it's not that widespread yet.

 

[icanhazcpuplz]

I agree, with both of you: not a must have, but nice to have. Actually *want to have*!
I'd like to see this integrated in some affordable but still capable 10" or 11.6" netbook (Atom, even Pinetrail, is still too weak imo), even if they're not 'convertible' tablet format.
I figure I could probably whip up some fun programs to poke around...
If Lenovo could augment the s10-3 with better trackpad, same k-board, better gfx, SU7300 or i3, 60gb SSD AND convertible + touch, under $725, whoa, I'd have my cake and eat it too....

 

[lotri]

Well, they already have netbooks with touchscreen action. If you want a more powerful processor, you can just go for the mid-size 13-14" touchscreen systems or tablets.

 

[ampedal]

the iPad might be a cheaper alternative, sans the stupid name.

 

[icanhazcpuplz]

I think the iPad is a great device, but I don't think I'm ready to go keyboard-less and buy into the Apple closed-ecosystem... It's just not what I'm looking for.
I'm looking for a PC, netbook sized, but not netbook handicaped, ie: CULV su7300 or more, and better than the intel 4500 igp... I'm in no real rush to buy though, so my lowly eeePC 701 will suffice until the proper laptop comes to market.

 

[ampedal]

the eeeeeeeeeeeeeee PCs look pretty cool too, sans the stupid name.

 

[lotri]

I like the ASUS UL series. The UL30 is a 13.3" with the G210M switchable graphics, but it's pricey at 819 starting price on xoticpc (expensive for a small laptop). And well, no touchscreen, lol.