Netbooks to spur growth of touch panels

The launch of Windows 7 in October is expected to be a catalyst for a number of touch-based devices that utilise its multi-touch gesture software. Apparently, it will be netbooks that lead the way in adopting touchscreen panels over laptops and LCD monitors according to a report from Digitimes.

Industry sources are saying that there is evidence of this already from the models that are currently being sampled and validated. At the moment there is a lot more activity surrounding netbook devices then there are others. The report also says that prices of capacitive panels (for multi-touch gestures) are around $30 for a typical 10-inch sized display. The average cost per inch varies between $2.5-3.0.

Another report talks about something that doesn’t make too much sense to me. It talks of touch panels replacing the touchpad and mouse buttons on netbooks, giving more space for the keyboard. The only way this would work in my eyes is having a device that’s been designed from the ground-up for touch. For a typical convertible netbook (net tablet), I imagine you would still need either a touchpad or trackpoint. That is unless of course the screen is so sensitive it negates the need for one.

Acer, HP and Lenovo planning 12-inch multi-touch mini-notebooks?

There is no doubt that a number of manufacturers are planning to release touchscreen netbooks/notebooks in the fourth quarter, coinciding with the Windows 7 launch. From previous reports, we have heard that a number of panel manufacturers will ramp up production in the second-half of the year.

We are now hearing that Cando, which is a subsidiary of AU Optronics, has landed an order to supply 12.1-inch capacitive multi-touch panels to Acer, HP and Lenovo. According to Digitimes, these panels will start to ship in August, which could mean a year-end launch date for some of these models, although a H1 2010 release is more likely. Cando is the first touch panel manufacturer to receive certification or Windows 7 compatibility.

In related news, EETI (Egalax_empia Technology) is pushing for Windows 7 certification for 10.1-inch and 11.6-inch touch-panels. It is currently sampling touch panels based on analogue matrix resistive (AMR) and projective capacitive technology. The focus for Windows 7 netbooks and mini-notebooks will be on display sizes between 10 to 12-inch screens. It sees Windows 7 certification as a big driver to gain orders.

Acer launching touchscreen netbook in 2009

Acer will be launching its third-generation of netbook by the end of the year and reports suggest that it will feature a touchscreen. We don’t have any further details than that, but the news is hardly surprising. A fourth generation netbook will release in 2010.

We already know that a number of touchscreen manufacturers are gearing up for an increase in capacitive (multi-touch) panels in the second half of the year. Additionally, a number of netbook vendors have already hinted that they will be looking to release touchscreen models to coincide with the launch of Windows 7 (which touts a number of touch-screen features). Read more

Further Evidence of Multi-Touch Netbook Panels in H2 2009

Evidence is growing that we will start to see netbooks with multi-touch panels by the end of 2009. Touch panel manufacturer, Young Fast Optoelectronics has confirmed that it will start to produce capacitive touch panels for netbooks in the second half of the year, according to its Chairman TJ Lin.

We are already starting to see a number of netbooks using touchscreen panels including the Asus Eee PC T91, the Touch Book from Always Innovating and Gigabyte’s TouchNote M1028. However, the touch-panel technology currently used is resistive. The move to capacitive panels will allow multitouch gestures (such as ‘pinching’).

Young Fast accounted for 20-percent of the touchscreen market in 2008, shipping approximately 40 million touch panels. It is currently producing around two million 3.2-inch capacitive panels per month. A number of panel manufacturers are looking to enter the capacitive segment for netbooks. Earlier in the month, we heard that EETI plans to ship 7 and 12-inch capacitive panels in H2 2009 too. With Windows 7 Touch on the horizon we could be in for some very interesting netbooks towards the end of the year.

Via Digitimes.

EETI shipping multitouch 7 and 12-inch Panels in H209

EETI (Egalax_empia Technology), the Taiwan-based touch-panel supplier, will start shipping 7 and 12-inch capacitive touch panels in the second half of this year, according to its company president Mei Tsai. We are already starting to see a number of netbooks using touchscreen panels including the Asus Eee PC T91GO, the Touch Book from Always Innovating and Gigabyte’s TouchNote M1028 which was unveiled yesterday. However, the touch-panel technology currently used is resistive. The move to capacitive panels will allow multitouch gestures (such as ‘pinching’).

My guess is that we’re unlikely to start to see any netbooks with capacitive screens until the end of the year, maybe tied in with the launch of Windows 7. Microsoft has spoken of multitouch, being one of the unique selling points of Windows 7. It is likely to be the more premium netbooks that sport these panels at first, but what better way than to tie in with the Windows 7 launch. We’ll keep you posted.