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Asus replaced the touchpad on its new ZenBook Pro with a 5.5-inch touchscreen

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Re: Asus replaced the touchpad on its new ZenBook Pro with a 5.5-inch touchscreen

#81

Post by state_less »

_wmd wrote: post #36
jeswin wrote: post #13

I think this is a wonderful idea, given that touchscreen responsiveness and power optimization have been a focus of research over the last decade. At worst it's a touch pad, at best it's so much more. Of course a lot depends on how software developers will embrace it - and I hope Linux users get some love. (I wish Asus and reviewers will stay away from gimmicks like watching movies on it.) In any case, far better tha…

At first sight the thing is terrifying, but it seems a rather quite reasonable alternative play on the touchbar that does not mess with the ability to sell the device. Two massive benefits: the tactile response of the keyboard is totally preserved, and the feature can be entirely disabled for conservative users who cannot think of an immediate use for the display. Clearly it will appeal to gadgeteers (as much as I ex…

I like my touchbar and I think I'd probably like a touchscreen trackpad too. The key in my opinion is the programability of the 'buttons'. They don't need to be just buttons, you can have sliders, video scrubbers, button hierarchies (button menus) and so on.

I'm also up for dual display laptops where the clamshell of a laptop is two touchscreens. It would help water proof the device, simplify the mechanics (lower cost?), give options for keyboard layout (improved ergonomics?) increase full screen size when fully unfolded and might be more comfortable than the stiff keys on the latest gen of MBP. I use an external keyboard when I'm at my desk and want a tactile full size keyboard, so I wouldn't be stuck with only glass.

Re: Asus replaced the touchpad on its new ZenBook Pro with a 5.5-inch touchscreen

#82

Post by saagarjha »

asafira wrote: post #43
rjplatte wrote: post #40

This would be cool /if/ it added more functionality. For example—a digitizer, Force Touch, or both. I love my MbP Trackpad, but a digitizer would absolutely slay, especially combined with some sort of display.

Do others here use the "hard push" functionality of their trackpad? I honestly forget that's a thing most of the time.

I use it constantly to preview links and look things up.

Re: Asus replaced the touchpad on its new ZenBook Pro with a 5.5-inch touchscreen

#83

Post by saagarjha »

jlebrech wrote: post #74

when apple puts a touchpad along the top it's genius, when asus puts it at the bottom it's "dubious"

That's because the bottom isn't generally a great place to put a screen if you want it to be visible and usable. It's where your palms are, not your fingers, and generally it'll be at least partially covered by your hands.

Re: Asus replaced the touchpad on its new ZenBook Pro with a 5.5-inch touchscreen

#84

Post by mgiannopoulos »

_hardwaregeek wrote: post #30

I was walking through a computer store recently and I couldn't help but notice how tacky all the computers looked. The Touch Bar may be frivolous, pretty useless and a waste of money, but it blends into the design of the laptop and most importantly, is subtle. Now, Asus could certainly prove me wrong and implement some beautiful, understated software for the touchpad, but judging by the demo photos, that isn't the ca…

I’ve been trying to find a cheaper MBP replacement after 10 years with 3 MBP. Everything else is ugly. Some decent choices end up at the or worse price point as Apple.

Re: Asus replaced the touchpad on its new ZenBook Pro with a 5.5-inch touchscreen

#85

Post by saagarjha »

yeukhon wrote: post #45
Gigablah wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Looking forward to your review after two days of using it.

I said 3 months. Please read.

You have a grammatical tense error that significantly changes the meaning of what you're trying to say.

Re: Asus replaced the touchpad on its new ZenBook Pro with a 5.5-inch touchscreen

#86

Post by jayd16 »

saagarjha wrote: post #79
geoalchimista wrote: post #71

Seems quite functional and elegant. Everything that touchbar is not. In retrospect, I think Apple's gonna regret the touchbar design. (But I do have doubts on this touchscreen design like how frictionless it is for a user to switch back and forth between its touchpad and touchscreen functionalities.)

> Seems quite functional and elegant. Everything that touchbar is not. How so?

Enough space to actually have some good UX, tool tips etc. This is adding features to the touch pad instead of replacing function keys and losing physical key response.

Re: Asus replaced the touchpad on its new ZenBook Pro with a 5.5-inch touchscreen

#87

Post by rutierut »

jeswin wrote: post #13

I think this is a wonderful idea, given that touchscreen responsiveness and power optimization have been a focus of research over the last decade. At worst it's a touch pad, at best it's so much more. Of course a lot depends on how software developers will embrace it - and I hope Linux users get some love. (I wish Asus and reviewers will stay away from gimmicks like watching movies on it.) In any case, far better tha…

Pretty good point, Mac OS is already using the touch pad to input signatures (you use the touch pad as paper and your finger as a pencil) which works extremely well but currently has no visual feedback, there is probably space for much more useful applications when that becomes available. I just really has to be an OLED display though.

Re: Asus replaced the touchpad on its new ZenBook Pro with a 5.5-inch touchscreen

#88

Post by whymauri »

Larrikin wrote: post #61
tambourine_man wrote: post #54

>Unlike Apple’s limited and unhelpful MacBook Pro Touch Bar… I’m not big fan of the touch bar either, but to state an opinion as fact is just bad journalism.

The most stressful thing about starting my next job is that I've got to choose a new laptop only for work. I've only used a Mac for years and this is the first time I've ever considered switching because there are no computers they make that I actually want. Apple has really dropped the ball on their entire line and the touchbar eliminating a lot of useful keys is a pretty bad idea compared to replacing the touchpad.

I've gotten used to using the touch bar for function keys and [esc] after only a week or so. It's fairly customizable, which surprised me. I don't think it's that bad, but then again I am not paying for it (company hardware).

Re: Asus replaced the touchpad on its new ZenBook Pro with a 5.5-inch touchscreen

#90

Post by mikkelam »

Larrikin wrote: post #61
tambourine_man wrote: post #54

>Unlike Apple’s limited and unhelpful MacBook Pro Touch Bar… I’m not big fan of the touch bar either, but to state an opinion as fact is just bad journalism.

The most stressful thing about starting my next job is that I've got to choose a new laptop only for work. I've only used a Mac for years and this is the first time I've ever considered switching because there are no computers they make that I actually want. Apple has really dropped the ball on their entire line and the touchbar eliminating a lot of useful keys is a pretty bad idea compared to replacing the touchpad.

Just buy the one without the touchpad. Keyboard still sucks, but better than everything else..
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