I have hands on experience with a multi-touch capable device the iPod Touch. So I know what a flowing and fluid multi-touch experience should be.

So I was very disappointed watch the these videos of how multi-touch has been implemented on the Dell Latitude XT.

The best way for you to judge is to watch the videos.

First up we have one from Dell about installing it and using it.

Next up we have hands on review from Gottabemobile

Finally another video review here (sorry no video embed).

Link: http://blog.laptopmag.com/exclusive-hands-on-with-dells-xt-tablet-now-with-multi-touch

What I get up from watching these:

1) Using multi-touch while the laptop is in the traditional clam shell configuration is really counter intuitive. This only makes sense to me in Tablet mode.

2) Multi-touch sensitivity and accuracy of response seems to be an issue.

3) The lack of CPU power on the Latitude XT is a problem (watch the lag on opening photo gallery or clicking and manipulating images, not fluid).

4) Only having 3 gestures sounds very limiting.

The Laptop screens of the future are going to get very smudged up with all this pointing going on.

On a more positive note this is a good free upgrade for an existing XT owner and Dell should be commended for trying.

However its fairly obvious that Dell’s implementation of multi-touch is very 1.0 and pretty clunky.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 16th, 2008 at 8:27 am and is filed under Blog Entries, DELL, Dell Latitude, Equipment Reviews, Video - Others. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.