- A new device claims to add touchscreen capabilities to any MacBook
- It senses your hand movements and works via USB-C
- Heads up – the device is currently listed on Kickstarter
For years, a small but vocal contingent of Mac fans have been urging Apple to add touchscreen capabilities to the MacBook, and if you believe the rumors, the company may be on the verge of doing just that with next year’s M6 model. But if you don’t want to wait that long, a company has developed a makeshift solution that costs far less than buying a new MacBook Pro.
This product is called the LapTouch ($159, or around £120 / AU$245) and it’s currently seeking funding on Kickstarter, so all the usual crowdfunding caveats apply. There, its creator says it will turn any non-touch macOS laptop into a touchscreen equivalent, allowing you to interact with your computer by tapping and sliding the screen with your finger.
LapTouch is a small horizontal bar that sits along the bottom edge of your MacBook’s screen and rests in the space just above the keyboard (the area previously occupied by the touch-enabled Touch Bar). One end has a cable attached – just plug it into one of your laptop’s USB-C ports and the LapTouch can be powered up. Once that’s done, your touchscreen is enabled.
It works by using light to detect the position of your hand or finger. You will be able to move your finger across the screen and see the answer on your computer where you can move the cursor, draw lines, scroll through images and more. You can even use it by hovering your hand in front of the screen without having to physically touch your laptop’s screen.
An attractive option for some
Apple has long resisted the idea of creating a touchscreen MacBook because of the poor ergonomics. As Steve Jobs once described it, “after a short time you start to get tired, and after a long period of time your arm will fall off.” Apple has stuck to that line ever since, which has made the rumor that it’s going to perform a dramatic about-face all the more curious.
Personally, I’m not entirely convinced by LapTouch. I’ve never felt the need for a touchscreen laptop—using Apple’s Magic Trackpad or one of the best mice has always given me all the control I need—and the few times I’ve used a touchscreen computer, I’ve noticed the discomfort right away.
What’s more, it’s hard enough to keep a MacBook’s screen free of dirt if you regularly open and close the lid. I dread to think what state mine would be in after moving my finger all over it to use the LapTouch’s touchscreen capabilities. Yes, you don’t actually have to touch the screen to use the LapTouch, but holding my arm in the air for any significant amount of time is a quick recipe for pain and fatigue.
That said, the LapTouch could find an audience among people looking for touchscreen functionality in a laptop but don’t want to shell out for something like the rumored M6 MacBook Pro or a Microsoft Surface. When you only have to pay $159 to add touchscreen capabilities to an existing laptop, that can be an attractive prospect for many people.
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