A touch screen is an essential element of modern computing, but not every laptop comes with one. This is a feature that you need to look for specifically. In some categories of laptops, it is unclear whether the machine will support touch.
It is virtually certain that others will-or will not-act in a certain way. It is important to know the difference.
We have compiled a list of the best touch-equipped machines we have tested and reviewed. Let’s take a look at the basics of laptop touch screens and why you might (or might not) want one.
The Basics of Touch Screens
Let’s start with some terminology. A touch-screen laptop usually includes a conductive digitizing layer overlaid on the panel element, which enables tap, pinch, or swipe input.
The over-screen layer of most modern laptops detects where you touch with one or more fingers using the conductivity of your skin, which is known as capacitive touch input.
It typically consists of a grid of ultra-fine wires or an opaque film that is inconspicuous enough not to interfere with the ability of the user to view the image.
If you’re wearing gloves, you can’t operate touch screens because they are electrically controlled. It differs from resistive touch technology found in other implementations of touch screens, where the upper layer of the screen flexes.
The upper layer of a resistive screen closes a circuit with another layer beneath it when you write or tap on it. A resistive touch device requires that you press a little to e.g. sign your name on a screen.
Dell XPS 13 OLED- 9310: Best Touch Screen Gaming Laptop
In the mid-1990s, Dell’s XPS laptops helped pioneer thin bezels and nearly borderless displays (the 9310, for example, has a 91.5% screen-to-body ratio).
In earlier models, the webcam was placed below the screen instead of above it, giving videoconference callers a view up your nose.
The current XPS 13 has a tiny 720p webcam (but, alas, no privacy shutter) in the correct place.
Camera
The camera can capture reasonably well-lit and colourful images with minimal visual noise, and it offers Windows Hello face recognition. It’s one of two ways to avoid typing passwords, since the power button has a fingerprint reader built in – which you may never use.
Whenever the lid is opened, the system is automatically restarted if it’s off. If you grasp the screen corners or press the keyboard deck, the Dell feels impressively solid, with no flex when tapped.
Battery Life
As a result, the XPS 13 OLED runs Windows 10 Home in a dark theme (black dialog boxes instead of white windows). Furthermore, the 3456 x 2160 display is set to 300% zoom, which I felt made the icons and screen elements too large.
Normally, all affordable gaming laptops have reasonable battery life.
Display Screen
As for its brightness, it’s rated at 400 nits, rather than 500 nits for IPS panels, but it’s more than adequate due to its 100,000:1 contrast ratio. A true black is displayed on an OLED display by nature, with all black pixels turned off.
A beautiful screen with vibrant colors (Dell claims it covers the DCI-P3 gamut 100%) and razor-sharp details. The photos and videos looked great-even the browser and Notepad windows-and the viewing angles were wide, with the Gorilla Glass 6 touch overlay showing reflections at extreme angles.
Although I’ve always considered the HP DreamColor workstation screens to be the best laptop screens, I’m not sure if this 3.5K OLED panel is any better. It isn’t worse, but it isn’t better. It is very pleasant to use the XPS 13.
Keyboard
It has a stunning screen with rich, vivid colors (Dell claims 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 gamut) and razor-sharp details. Even the browser and Notepad windows looked great, and the viewing angles were wide, though the Gorilla Glass 6 touch overlay showed reflections at extreme angles.
My opinion is that the 3.5K OLED panel is probably not as good as the HP DreamColor workstation screens I’ve always considered the best laptop screens, but it isn’t any worse either. The XPS 13 is a pleasure to use because of this.
However, I do not like the arrangement of the arrow keys, with the up and down arrows stacked between the left and right keys instead of forming an inverted T. The buttonless touchpad glides and taps smoothly and has a gentle click when it’s tapped.
PROS
- A stunning 3.5K OLED display
- Unbearably compact and trim
- Performances (other than gaming) that are lively
- Solidly built and attractive
- Audio quality above average
CONS
- Battery life is improved with IPS screens with lower resolution
- Thunderbolt 4 ports are limited to two
- There is no LTE mobile broadband option
Tip for Gamers: Have you tried to play Fortnite on Dell XPS 13 OLED-9310 – Gaming Laptop?
Conclusion
I would give the Dell XPS 13 OLED a perfect five-star review if it had an HDMI port. If you don’t have one, it’s easy to win an Editors’ Choice award among OLED laptops, and among ultraportables that simply look good.
The Dell XPS 13 OLED would score a perfect five-star rating if it had an HDMI port. Even without one, it’s easy to win an Editors’ Choice award as one of the best OLED laptops and one of the best ultraportables.
