Now that Windows 7 has been released, multitouch is now substantially supported in one of the big two operating systems around, and countless new all-in-one desktops are being released with built-in touchscreen functionality.
Fans of the other big operating system — OS X — have got to feel a bit left out in the cold, though. Although Apple is firmly on board with touchscreen and multitouch to drive the interface of their iPhone and iPod Touch line of devices, the venerable iMac all-in-one has been left out in the cold… sort of.
Sure, it has the Magic Mouse, which — like its predecessor, the Mighty Mouse — is getting a very lukewarm reception, but there’s no on-screen multitouch in the new 21.5 inch and 27 inch iMacs. If you want to use multitouch in Snow Leopard, you need to do it by stroking the back of your Magic Mouse.
Still, the after market has you covered. Troll Touch has released analog resistive touchscreen kits for past iMacs and MacBooks, and the latest update to the iMac and Macbook line-up have seen them revise their product line. They now offer touchscreens for the 21.5 inch and 27 inch iMac as well as all unibody MacBooks and MacBook Pros.
Putting a touchscreen in your Mac is an expensive process. The iMac kits start at $1099, while a Macbook touchkit starts at $699. Still, if you’d rather manipulate your desktop by swiping your greasy digits across the screen, both kits can be found now on the official Troll Touch website for your DIY installation.
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