HP unveils $300 multi-touch LCD
updated 02:10 pm EDT, Wed October 21, 2009
HP L2105tm made for fingers, stylus
HP at mid-day updated its Compaq displays with one of its first mainstream multi-touch displays. The 21.5-inch L2105tm has a built-in optical sensor that recognizes two-point touch input in operating systems that support it but can still accept input from an included stylus for artwork or other more precise apps. To help, the display is specifically designed for touch and has a fixed-height panel that won't shift around in mid-use.
The screen displays at a full 1080p but keeps costs down through the use of a TN panel with a 72 percent color gamut and a 170-degree viewing angle; it musters a 1,000:1 static contrast ratio and a 5ms pixel response time. DVI and VGA are its only video input choices, but a built-in, two-watt speaker system provides it with basic sound for workplaces where external speakers aren't an option.
Shipments of the L2105tm start next week and should see the LCD priced in line with many non-touch displays, at $300. It's officially intended for Windows 7 but will work with earlier versions of Windows and other platforms that can recognize touch input over USB.
Now this is news!
10/21, 02:36pm reply
Other platforms? Will it work with Snow Leopard?
Feathers
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 1999
HDMI
10/21, 04:06pm reply
No HDMI? I'll wait for version 2.0.
dagamer34
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2007
HDMI, who cares, 1024 x 768 for a 21.5" that bad.
10/21, 04:18pm reply
Why do many people get all hyper over HDMI? Your not passing audio to the monitor not having HDMI is not a problem, just use a $10 adapter.
My problem with this monitor is that HP is showing it at only 1024x768. If that's true it's a total waste of my time and money to look at it. If the specs are wrong and it's really 1920x1080 it's a different story.
Timon
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2009
specs
10/21, 04:41pm reply
1080p means that it shows 1920x1080.... I looked on the link, and the one shown at 1022x786 is a 15" and cost $500...
quite a surprise that the would up the size and drop the price, but I hope OSx will support it!!!
byRyan
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2007
why?
10/21, 08:28pm reply
Two major issues with this device, smudges and ergonomics.
The thought of touching and sliding my fingers all over my screen is unappealing, simply due to the inevitable smudges all over the screen, combined with the fragility of most LCD screen surfaces, making them difficult to clean.
Having to raise your arms to your screen to regularly accomplish computing tasks is highly impractical from an ergonomic standpoint. Much easier to leave your arms on your keyboard and mouse, and use the keyboard shortcut equivalent.
As such, the only markets I can see for such screens are in consumer kiosks with simplified interfaces, POS devices (with screen protectors to keep them clean), and possibly voting booths. This is not a consumer household device, except for the few suckers who really haven't thought it through very carefully, or just want to show off some whizz-bang feature, impractical though it may be. Personally, for the home user market which this seems to be targeted to, I see this as just being poorly thought-out.
WiseWeasel
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 1999
Nice gimmick, but impractical...
10/21, 09:29pm reply
Vertical touchscreens are just annoying to use after awhile and can really put a hurtin' on one's shoulder joints especially as one gets older. Maybe if you just touch it occasionally it might be OK. I think touchscreens can be practical if they're laying down flat or at a shallow angle. Anything so that you don't have to keep your entire arm suspended in the air. I'm not saying humans don't need exercise, but you'll certainly expend more energy moving your arm around rather than just your wrist. It's nice to say you've got a touchscreen computer, but in the end it just won't be practical. I've used a lightpen for input in the past and your shoulder can really get tired after using it all day.
iphonerulez
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2008