Pros and Cons Of The Latest Touch Screen Technologies

If your company is about to start designing a new product that uses touch screens, or you’re changing the type of touch screen you use, it’s important to understand that there are many different types of being made today, each with their own pros and cons. Whether you need to prioritize durability, optical quality, multi-touch performance, or cost effectiveness, there’s a different touch screen solution.

Resistive: Resistive touch screens are common in industrial and retail environments, as well as for public uses, such as ATMs, mobile computing devices, control panels and PoS terminals. They have EMI immunity, low power consumption, are resistant to contamination, and they can be operated by a gloved finger or a stylus.

ULTRA Resistive: Designed by a long-standing touch screen manufacturer, the ULTRA resistive touch screen from A D Metro is a remarkably durable option that’s ideally suited for use outdoors, in military and marine applications, and in industrial environments where the application is exposed to abrasion and impact. The ULTRA resistive touch screen uses borosilicate glass rather than the polyethylene outer surface typically seen in rugged products and is designed to function even after direct, repeated impact, such as an attempt at vandalism or gouging. As described by A D Metro, it’s flame and spark retardant, scratch resistant, waterproof and weather-proof (making it suitable for outdoor kiosks like ATMs, where it faces everything from rain to slush, dirt, and snow), possesses EMI immunity (ideal for work near broadcast transmitters or high voltages), and resists spalling.

Projected Capacitive: Projected capacitive or PCAP touch screens have become dominant in consumer electronics as well as many retail and industrial applications that don’t require ruggedization. While they can be quite durable, they cannot compare to resistive alternatives that are vandal- and weather-proof, so are best used for indoor-use. Besides being the go-to technology for smartphones and tablets, PCAP touch screens are also common solutions for PoS terminals, digital signage, retail kiosks, gaming, ATMs, monitors, and industrial control panels. A complete line of PCAP solutions is offered by A D Metro, a firm that can provide you with guidance on what technology would be the best fit for a specific application.

Surface Acoustic Wave: SAW touch screens offer unparalleled optical quality as well as a light touch, making it a great technology for gaming uses in particular. They should also be relatively durable, resistant to abrasions and scratches in order to survive being dropped or impacted too hard. They can be operated by a gloved finger, unlike most capacitive touch screens that rely on the electrical charge of human skin.

As an OEM or systems integrator, you need to know which of the latest touch screen products are best for your end users. Working closely with a manufacturer can help you identify the most cost-effective technology for the job, keeping your customers happy, your bottom line under control, and your delivery time to market short.