Touch screen computers are the type of computers that have screens that can be touched to input information. Below the surface of their screens are a series of touch pad receptors that receive input every time the screen is touched. Touch screen technology like this first began to be developed in the 1970’s and it has gradually been advanced over time.

Microsoft Corporation first began to develop software for touch screen computers when they released their Surface operating system. This operating system was used primarily on table top applications and mostly in the commercial environment. Readers may recall seeing touch screen computers in use over the past decade in major restaurant chains when a receipt is being printed or when orders are being sent through to the kitchen. In recent years, Apple has propelled the advancement of touch screen technology by the development of the iPhone. The iPhone primarily receives input through its touch screen; no keyboard is required and neither is a stylus. Since the popularity of the iPhone, other mobile phone makers have begun to develop and make use of touch screen technology and it is now becoming more commonplace.

Using touch screen computers is in many ways is a lot easier than using a keyboard to input data and to generate commands. The keyboard is the traditional way of operating a computer and although it offers almost unhindered control over computers it also creates more bulk. Therefore most devices with keyboards tend to be bigger. Today’s consumer, however, is looking for smaller, slimmer devices that can be carried around with them, and that can be operated quickly with the most ease.

Fortunately, touch screen technology is extremely quick and it reduces the amount of equipment that computer users have to contend with. In the case of mobile computers, there is less to carry around. For manufacturers there is less to add to their devices. Less moving parts means less bulk and less to break. Due to the convenience of touch screen technology, most manufacturers of mobile devices are moving in the direction of touch screen technology only. The Apple iPhone is an example of this and definitely the forerunner of this trend.

A more recent development that will increase the popularity of touch screen computers is Microsoft’s Windows 7. The development of the Windows 7 operating system will most likely lead to more widespread use of touch screen technology. This is because Windows 7 has been developed with touch screen computers in mind. In fact, it is the first Windows operating system that Microsoft has focused attention on touch screen technology. The expected result is that many new touch screen devices will appear on the market with Windows 7 as their operating system of choice.