3 Types Of Touchscreen Technology For Kiosk Monitors

Do you need monitors for a kiosk or booth at an upcoming trade show or event? Do you want something with touchscreen technology to make your kiosk more interactive? Touchscreens are a great way to pull people into your kiosk or booth and to get them engaged with your services. If your product involves some kind of software, you can use a touchscreen monitor to allow visitors to take your solution for a test drive. Not all touchscreens are the same, though. Here are three common touchscreen technologies that you'll find on kiosk and rackmount monitors, along with their benefits and important considerations:

Sonic wave. This type of technology is popular because it actually doesn't include any kind of additional layer or film over the monitor. That means that the monitor's images will come through crystal clear without any kind of distortion. Sonic wave uses sensors installed on the side of the monitor. Those sensors create an invisible ultrasonic grid over the top of the monitor. When someone touches the screen, the grid picks up the movement.

Sonic wave is the most expensive type of touchscreen technology. It also may not be great for outdoor use. The grid can often pick up moisture and condensation on the monitor and mistake it for a finger or pointer. That could make the screen less interactive and even frustrating to use.

Resistive. A resistive touch screen uses a glass panel that is made from resistive metallic layers, which are separated by a thin space. When a person touches the screen, an electric connection is formed between the layers, and that connection is communicated back to the monitor's computer. Resistive screens are popular because they're usually the most affordable option and because they can be used with a bare finger, a stylus, a gloved hand, and just about any other type of pointer.

However, the screen does cause some distortion with the monitor's images. Especially up close, users may notice that the images aren't crisp and are possibly even a little blurry.

Capacitive. In a capacitive touch screen, an indium tin oxide sheet is installed over the monitor's screen. The sheet has a continuous electrical current that can pick up pressure from a finger. Capacitive screens are generally more durable than resistive screens and have better image quality. However, they can only pick up movement from a finger, not a stylus or a gloved hand. You'll likely find that they're more expensive than a resistive screen and less expensive than sonic wave touchscreens.

For more information on touchscreen technology, talk to your kiosk or rackmount monitor dealer. They can recommend the best touchscreen technology for your needs and budget.