Magic touch: touch-screen monitors make almost any computer task a breeze - instead of a touch-monitor, a conversion kit can be used with the old monitor - Buyers Guide

Entrepreneur, Sept, 1996 by Jill Amadio

Though you may have seen one or two in your local shopping mall, you won't find touch-screen monitors lining the shelves in computer megastores, and many people have never even heard of them. But while touchscreen monitors are a relatively new technology, more and more businesses are finding them highly efficient and cost effective, especially if you have repetitive, menu-type computer tasks to perform.

Already popular in medical clinics and hospitals, touchscreen monitors have made their way into restaurants, fastfood franchises and retail operations. They are also used for computer-based sales training programs, education, desktop information systems, presentations and trade show demos.

In most cases, touch-screen monitors replace the keyboard and mouse, allowing the user to simply touch the menu display on the monitor with a fingertip to input, record or receive data. In other cases, you use a stylus pen to write and draw directly on the screen.

Three different technologies are used in touch-screen monitors: analog capacitive, for use in heavy-duty environments such as public-access kiosks; surface acoustic wave, for less heavy use, and resistive membrane, which is most suitable (and priced best) for small-business needs. Here's how the resistive membrane version works: As you touch the screen, its various layers are shorted together, causing an internal electric contact that activates the flow of information. In other words, your finger functions like a mouse, trackball or keyboard.

Does a new monitor sound like too big an investment? You don't have to buy a touch-screen monitor to enjoy the technology--simply purchase a kit that includes a touch screen to fit over your existing monitor. MicroTouch System's TouchTek kits, for example, include software, a sensor and a controller to convert a standard monitor into a resistive membrane touch-screen monitor. Even simpler: Use a specially designed stylus pen, such as HEI's FastPoint, to write and draw on an ordinary screen, and drag and click just like a mouse.

Does buying a touch-screen monitor mean you can throw away your keyboard, mouse or trackball? Not quite. But touch-screen technology is so intuitive, it means you can spend more time using your computer instead of perusing the manual.

* SHOPPING TIPS

Before buying a touchscreen monitor or conversion kit, consider these factors:

* Five years ago, the standard monitor size was 14 inches. Today, most businesspeople buy 17-inch monitors. If you use graphics or spreadsheets with many menu options, a 14-inch monitor may not be big enough to display your entire page. Larger monitors don't always cost more: Monitor prices are decreasing across the board, and street prices are usually far lower than list prices.

* Check the display's corners for picture clarity and sharpness. Some monitors fade out at the edges.

* Look for a company like MicroTouch Systems, in Methun, Massachusetts, that offers a 30-day free trial of its products.

* If you buy an internal conversion kit, make sure your monitor has the necessary internal space to add touch-screen capability.

* Make sure the screen is easy to read. If you work in a sunny or brightly lit area, consider opting for a tinted or anti-glare screen.

* If you're completely in the dark about touch-screen monitors, you may want to retain a company such as Quest International to help you out. This Irvine, California, consulting firm specializes in advising, repairing and custom-tailoring touchscreen monitor technology to the needs of their customers. The advice, the monitor, the computer adaptation and all the necessary technology can be had for as little as $600; the cost rises with the complexity of the work.

* BESTSELLERS

Here's a rundown on some of the most popular touch-screen technology available:

* HEI: A simple way to turn your ordinary monitor into a touch-screen version is to buy a FastPoint light pen from HEI. This elegant stylus works directly on the screen for writing, drawing or tapping icons. Available for both PCs and Macintoshes, it comes with an internal or external adaptor that plug into your computer.

Some FastPoint functions replicate those of a mouse; you can drag, point, select and click. Useful for graphics and desktop publishing applications, such as creating brochures and fliers, you can also use the pen to handwrite and sketch pictures on screen.

No special screen overlay is necessary, and you can eat doughnuts with impunity since there are no messy fingertips to smear your screen. It's handy for finding that elusive cursor, too: As you move the pen closer to the display screen, the cursor instantly aligns with the pen tip. Point the pen at an icon, and click its little switch to change menus. You won't need desk space for a mouse and pad' though you'll still need a keyboard.

There are several models available, from the general-use #120-78 for $230 to a dual-switch pen for $300. Packages include the interface kit, cord, pen, software and documentation.

* Mag Innovision: Among the most familiar and popular monitor manufacturers, Mag Innovision doesn't make touch-screen monitors, but its new DX Series was designed so you can easily add a touch screen or a light pen if needed. Their supersharp displays and colormatching abilities make these monitors ideal for small businesses that require precise, high-quality graphics at a low price.