Capacitive or resistive: what's the best type of touchscreen?

Simon · Apr 28, 2010, 22:21:36

Paul Ockenden explains smartphone touchscreen technologies:

I'm going to deal with a topic that's sparked more than a dozen emails recently. A typical one is Steven Barrett, who asks:

"I keep reading about capacitive and resistive touchscreens, but I'm not sure what the real-world differences are. Capacitive screens generally receive more favourable reviews than resistive, but I've seen some strong views in the other direction on various blogs and online forums, with people saying that resistive screens are more accurate. I'd appreciate your views on which screen technology to choose."

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/realworld/357325/capacitive-or-resistive-whats-the-best-type-of-touchscreen

Simon · Apr 28, 2010, 22:24:35

Personally, I like the 'clicky' screen on the BlackBerry Storm, in preference to a capacitive touchscreen, but I've never tried a resistive one.

Steve · Apr 28, 2010, 22:34:46

I use an iPhone I think that's a capacitance screen, I think the resistive ones are old technology. Accuracy is not always a good thing especially if you have to be spot on to get a response.

Simon · Apr 28, 2010, 22:35:54

Don't talk to me about accuracy!

Steve · Apr 28, 2010, 22:50:55

Dont what you mea`nb

Simon · Apr 28, 2010, 23:25:52

Shupput!

Gary · Apr 28, 2010, 23:55:39

Capacitive are more responsive, less delicate and feel fine to use. I don't miss buttons, and I sure don't miss the delicate easy scratch face of a resistive screen, let alone the lack of response from some.

Rik · Apr 29, 2010, 08:39:58

Good read, Simon.

Simon · Apr 29, 2010, 11:09:52

Interesting, wasn't it?

Rik · Apr 29, 2010, 11:17:21

Yup. About the only touchscreens I have are on my PDA, which must be resistive, and my SatNav, which is probably capacitive, though it feels resistive.

Simon · Apr 29, 2010, 11:31:30

Intresting what you say about satnavs. I guess mine is resistive too. Never thought of that.

Rik · Apr 29, 2010, 11:37:50

Although mine is finger operated, all the targets are large, and the screen flexes.

Glenn · Apr 29, 2010, 11:41:46

You're meant to touch the screen, not the casing at the back of it.

Rik · Apr 29, 2010, 11:48:34

They didn't say with what, though.

Niall · Apr 29, 2010, 19:19:12

The one on the iphone is okay, but I often see times where you can prod and prod and it won't work. Not sure if that's related to a page not fully loading (which would make sense) or it's a problem with the software behind it.

Oh and on the subject, I've recently noticed with the iphone is that it 'lags' now I've stuck about 3gb of music on it.

Rik · Apr 29, 2010, 19:24:54

It's probably appalled at your taste in music, Niall.

Glenn · Apr 29, 2010, 19:37:52

You could always run Android on it

Rik · Apr 29, 2010, 19:40:17

Niall · Apr 29, 2010, 19:47:17

I've only put blues and metal on it

Rik · Apr 29, 2010, 19:48:27

'Nuf said.

(Though, if you have any Joe Bonamassa on it, I'll blame the phone

)

Niall · Apr 29, 2010, 21:06:09

I probably have, I just selected the "blues" and "metal" tabs, and let itunes do the rest.

Lance · Apr 29, 2010, 22:04:35

Quote from: Niall on Apr 29, 2010, 19:19:12
The one on the iphone is okay, but I often see times where you can prod and prod and it won't work. Not sure if that's related to a page not fully loading (which would make sense) or it's a problem with the software behind it.

Oh and on the subject, I've recently noticed with the iphone is that it 'lags' now I've stuck about 3gb of music on it.

I've never had any problems with lag, and I've got about 12gb of music on mine now. No problems with the screen either.

Steve · Apr 30, 2010, 06:50:51

I can't see I've seen any lag either.

Gary · Apr 30, 2010, 08:22:32

I have about 15BG of Music on mine and have no lag either, also the screen I find very accurate tbh not experienced your issues at all. Have you got a 3GS or a 3G model?

Niall · Apr 30, 2010, 19:08:13

It's the 3GS. It's probably me being impatient, but I don't see it in apps, or using the phones functions. It's on websites, so I'm thinking it's reloading the page but as you don't see the whole page it's hard to see if it's totally loaded again or not.

I've seen it on various pages. I'll try to remember making a record of when/how it's occurring next time!

Gary · Apr 30, 2010, 21:36:45

Quote from: Niall on Apr 30, 2010, 19:08:13
It's the 3GS. It's probably me being impatient, but I don't see it in apps, or using the phones functions. It's on websites, so I'm thinking it's reloading the page but as you don't see the whole page it's hard to see if it's totally loaded again or not.

I've seen it on various pages. I'll try to remember making a record of when/how it's occurring next time!

Look at the blue bar where the site url is as the page loads when thats finished going across the screen the page has loaded.

Niall · May 01, 2010, 16:09:27

I've realised what it is now. It is as I thought, although slightly different

It happens on forums, or websites where you post a comment. It seems that you post, Safari reloads the cache, then refreshes the page which causes a 1-2 second delay.

Gary · May 02, 2010, 09:19:34

Quote from: Niall on May 01, 2010, 16:09:27
I've realised what it is now. It is as I thought, although slightly different It happens on forums, or websites where you post a comment. It seems that you post, Safari reloads the cache, then refreshes the page which causes a 1-2 second delay.

Trying this on my iPhone now to see how it goes

Gary · May 02, 2010, 09:21:21

Not getting that Niall it shows up straight away, so not sure, saying that I am browsing via my WiFi.