How to Convert a Laptop to a Touch Screen
By Josienita Borlongan
One of the advantages of using touch screen laptops or tablets is that they make it easier to perform daily computing needs. Many companies use touch screens to eliminate the need to tap on keyboards in order to write words or jot down quick notes. Using touch screens also provides the flexibility of writing or drawing shapes that are difficult to produce using keyboards. A PC Tablet or a touch screen laptop can be very expensive to buy, often costing twice the price of a regular laptop. Fortunately, there are innovations that make it possible to convert a regular laptop screen into a touch screen at a very affordable price, one of which is a product called Navisis Laptop Pen PC Tablet.
Installation and Using Laptop Mode
Check for systems requirements and compatibility. It is important to note that this system is only compatible with Microsoft Windows 2000/XP/Vista operating systems. The package includes a station, which receives ultrasonic and infrared signals from the digital pen, a wireless digital pen or stylus, a station clip to attach to the laptop screen, a plastic screen protector that can fit up to a 15-inch wide screen and a USB cable to connect the station to the laptop's USB port.
Place the plastic screen protector by clipping it onto your laptop's screen.
Clip the station or transceiver on either side of the laptop screen. Choose the side closest to the USB port to make sure that the USB cable will reach it. Attach the USB cable to the USB, with the thin or small end connecting to the Navisis station and the fat or big end to the USB port.
Download the Navisis laptop pen tablet PC software to your laptop. Click on the laptop pen icon on the lower right hand corner of the task bar using the stylus pen after software installation.
Set up your work area. Select laptop mode from the menu. Adjust the work area. Choose the option that matches your laptop's screen size, defined by the X and Y axis. For example, choose 14.3 inches if that matches your screen's dimension. Then, click "OK."
Synchronize the cursor with the tip of the pen. Place the tip of the pen against the "X" mark on the screen. Use the arrow keys on your laptop's keyboard to make sure that the "X" is at dead center. Then hit the "Enter" key on your laptop's keyboard.
Start using the system. You can test it with any Microsoft Office application. Use it on MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Internet Explorer to type words, numbers and any characters. For example, in using Word, click on "Ink On," located on the upper menu of MS Word. Write on the screen using the stylus pen freely. Then save your document when done by clicking "Save As" and naming the file.
Using Tablet Mode
Remove the station/transceiver from the side of the laptop screen. Place it flat on the table or desk.
Clip a piece of blank paper using the station/transceiver.
Click on "Tablet Mode" using the stylus pen.
Replace the stylus tip with an "ink" tip, which also comes with the package.
Open MS Word or any MS Office application.
Write on the blank paper using the stylus pen with the ink tip. The words, numbers or any characters you write on the paper should also appear on MS Word on your screen. Use tablet mode if you want to draw from a piece of paper and you want what you draw to be entered into your computer.
Tips
- When navigating on the Internet, you will still need to use your keyboard to type URLs into your browser's window; the stylus pen acts only as a mouse or clicker.
Writer Bio
Josienita Borlongan is a full-time lead web systems engineer and a writer. She writes for Business.com, OnTarget.com and various other websites. She is a Microsoft-certified systems engineer and a Cisco-certified network associate. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in medical technology from Saint Louis University, Philippines.