Touch screen monitor for PC: from factory solution to self-assembly

Touch technologies have been used for many decades in many devices for the average consumer: tablets, smartphones, laptops. Based on touchscreens, many manufacturers produce monitors for home or office use.

Applied technologies in touch monitors for PC

For the production of smartphones, tablet computers, touch monitors, 2 types are most often used: projection-capacitive and wave (acoustic) touchscreens.

Projection-capacitive matrices imply the use of a panel on the reverse side of which a grid of electrodes is applied. When you touch the screen with your finger, the human body, together with the electrodes, forms a capacitor. And the built-in sensors process the change in capacitance, calculate the coordinates of touch.

Wave or acoustic matrices have PEP transducers, which are located at the corners, reflecting and receiving sensors. The microcontroller sends a signal to the probe. The received signal is converted into surface-acoustic waves, which are then transmitted by reflective sensors. The receiving sensors receive the signal and send it back to the probe, where it is converted into an electrical signal. The connected controller measures the parameters. Partial absorption of acoustic waves occurs when you touch the screen, about which the controller receives data. Based on them, the coordinates of the touch point are calculated.

Advantages and disadvantages

The touch monitors for PC can distinguish the following advantages:

• interaction with programs through the usual touch;
• no need to use a mouse or keyboard;
• complete freedom in choosing the installation location;
• dust and moisture resistance.

By cons include:

• the need to regularly clean the surface of dust and stains from fingers;
• comfortable long-term use time is much shorter, because hands will quickly become tired;
• a small keyboard can cause a large number of errors when working with text.

Application area

Touch monitors for PCs are used at home and in the office: working with text editors, images, video files, when developing websites, etc.

In addition, touchscreens have found application:

• in POS-systems for trade and public catering enterprises;
• terminals and ATMs;
• devices for the purchase of electronic tickets;
• in the subway, airports, train stations;
• in industrial equipment.

Selection guide

Monitors with touch control are produced by many manufacturers: Asus, Viewsonic, BenQ, Lenovo, Acer, HP, Iiyama. According to 2018 data, the price of a touchscreen monitor for a PC ranges from 10,700 to 83,000 rubles, depending on the manufacturer and the diagonal.

The selection criteria, as in the case with conventional monitors, remain:

• type of tasks to be solved: home, office use, for professional work with graphics, gaming;
• diagonal size: it is better to give preference to monitors from 20 to 24 inches;
• maximum resolution and type of matrix: affect the quality and size of the picture;
• price.

To reduce the time for searching and choosing, you can turn to the largest online stores. Almost all sites allow you to get a comparison of the characteristics when applying filters. And you can confirm your choice and evaluate the quality of the image when you purchase it in the store.

How to assemble a touch monitor for a PC with your own hands

Yes, it is quite real and affordable for almost everyone. You can save money for the family budget if the existing monitor is completely satisfied and there is no desire to change it. For assembly, you will need an old monitor and touch panel (supplied with the controller). Touchscreen can be purchased both on foreign Internet sites and from Russian suppliers. When choosing, it is necessary to compare the diagonal, aspect ratio and physical dimensions of the selected glass and monitor.

To assemble the touch monitor for the PC, you need to prepare tools and supplies: a screwdriver, knife, double-sided tape.

The procedure is as follows:

1. Prepare the workplace: there should be enough space to accommodate all components.
2. Remove fixing screws from monitor housing.
3. Remove the front panel by sliding the latches.
4. Remove and inspect the rear panel. You need to find free space for the controller.
5. Lock the controller and wires.
6. Using a knife or file, cut a hole for the USB connector in the rear panel.
7. Thoroughly rinse and vacuum the monitor matrix. The touch glass is transparent, fingerprints or dust between the touchscreen and the screen can spoil the look.
8. Glue double-sided tape on the strips of the metal screen housing on the front side.
9. Install the sensor glass on top of the matrix, after removing the protective film.
10. Connect the touchscreen cable to the controller.
11. Place the assembled structure in the back cover of the monitor housing.
12. The installation of the touch glass implies the need for calibration on first use. Therefore, in order to avoid excessive pressure on the front panel, it is necessary to install small racks in the case to provide a gap of 1-2 mm between the glass and the plastic case.
13. Install the front panel of the housing and fix everything with the fixing screws.

When you first start the system, drivers are installed. In the case of installed Win 8 and Win 10 operating systems, they are installed automatically.

Now you know not only how to choose a touch monitor for Windows, but also how to assemble it yourself at home.