Introduction
The laptop market in 2025 is more advanced and competitive than ever. Buyers now have endless options — from ultra-slim ultraportables to high-end gaming rigs, and from budget student laptops to powerful creator machines. Among all these choices, one of the most common questions remains:
👉 Should you buy a touchscreen laptop or stick with a traditional non-touchscreen laptop?
This decision matters more than you think. The type of display you choose will affect your workflow, comfort, performance, and even your budget.
Touchscreen laptops bring versatility, stylus support, and tablet-like convenience, while non-touch laptops are often lighter, cheaper, and optimized for battery life and performance.
In this in-depth 2025 guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about touchscreen vs non-touch laptops, including:
- Key differences between the two
- Advantages and disadvantages
- Which user type benefits most from each option
- The best models available in 2025 in both categories
- A comparison table for quick reference
- Our final verdict to help you make the right choice
By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear idea of which laptop type is right for you in 2025.
What Is a Touchscreen Laptop?
A touchscreen laptop is any notebook that allows you to interact directly with the screen, just like a smartphone or tablet. Most modern touchscreen laptops also come in 2-in-1 convertible designs, which means they can be used in multiple modes:
- Laptop mode – Standard typing and productivity
- Tent mode – Perfect for watching movies or presentations
- Tablet mode – Fold the screen back and use it like an iPad
- Stand mode – Great for drawing or video calls
Touch laptops support finger gestures and often include a stylus or digital pen, making them a favorite among students, artists, and designers.
What Is a Non-Touchscreen Laptop?
A non-touchscreen laptop is a traditional notebook where input is limited to the keyboard, trackpad, or external mouse. While they may lack touch functionality, they’re often:
- Lighter and thinner because they don’t require touch hardware
- More affordable since touch panels increase cost
- Better at battery life because there’s no touch digitizer consuming extra power
- Optimized for performance — gamers and professionals often prefer non-touch laptops
Non-touch laptops remain the default choice for coders, gamers, and anyone who doesn’t need drawing or handwriting input.
Pros and Cons of Touchscreen Laptops
✅ Advantages
- Intuitive navigation – Easier scrolling, zooming, and multitasking with gestures.
- Creativity-friendly – Perfect for artists, graphic designers, and digital note-taking.
- Presentation ready – Business users can interact directly with slides and diagrams.
- Versatility – Convertible designs allow switching between laptop and tablet.
- Stylus support – Makes writing, sketching, and editing more natural.
❌ Disadvantages
- Higher cost – Usually $150–$300 more than non-touch versions.
- Heavier and thicker – Extra touch hardware adds bulk.
- Shorter battery life – Touchscreens consume more power.
- Glossy finish – Prone to glare in sunlight and fingerprints.
- Less durable – More fragile compared to matte non-touch displays.
Pros and Cons of Non-Touchscreen Laptops
✅ Advantages
- More affordable – Budget-friendly, especially for students.
- Better battery life – Longer runtime due to no touch digitizer.
- Lighter design – Slimmer and easier to carry.
- Optimized for gaming – Non-touch laptops often come with high-refresh-rate matte screens.
- Durability – Matte displays resist scratches and reduce glare.
❌ Disadvantages
- Less versatile – No stylus, drawing, or tablet mode.
- Outdated feel – Feels less modern compared to touch models.
- Limited for creators – Designers, artists, and architects lose out on flexibility.
Key Differences Between Touchscreen and Non-Touch Laptops
| Feature | Touchscreen Laptops | Non-Touchscreen Laptops |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Higher | Lower |
| Weight | Heavier | Lighter |
| Battery Life | Shorter (6–8 hrs) | Longer (8–12 hrs) |
| Performance | Slightly reduced | Optimized, faster |
| Display Finish | Glossy (more glare) | Matte (less glare) |
| Durability | More fragile | More durable |
| Best For | Students, artists, casual users | Gamers, coders, pros |
Best Touchscreen Laptops in 2025
1. HP Spectre x360 14 (2025)
- 13.5-inch 3K2K OLED Touch Display
- Lightweight convertible design
- Perfect for students & business users
2. Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (2025)
- Premium slim design with detachable keyboard
- OLED touch panel with pen support
- Great for portability and presentations
3. Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2
- Adjustable screen for drawing and editing
- Stylus included, excellent for creative work
- Runs Adobe and Autodesk software smoothly
4. Lenovo Yoga 9i (2025)
- Versatile 2-in-1 convertible
- Dolby Vision OLED display
- Affordable compared to premium rivals
5. Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 360
- AMOLED touchscreen with S Pen support
- Ultra-slim design
- Excellent for note-taking and entertainment
Best Non-Touchscreen Laptops in 2025
1. Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M3, 2025)
- 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR Mini-LED
- Best for professionals and creators
- Non-touch but unmatched display quality
2. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2025)
- QHD+ 240Hz matte display
- Best for gamers and streamers
- Slim and portable gaming powerhouse
3. Dell XPS 15 (2025, non-touch)
- OLED option without touch
- Slim, professional design
- Long battery life
4. MSI Creator Z17 HX Studio
- ISV certified display for design and 3D work
- Excellent brightness and accuracy
- Perfect for professionals
5. Lenovo Legion 7i (2025)
- Gaming-focused, with up to 480Hz refresh rate
- Matte finish, no glare
- Designed for esports and hardcore gamers
Who Should Buy a Touchscreen Laptop?
- Students – For taking notes, diagrams, and studying PDFs.
- Artists & Designers – Drawing, editing, and digital sketching.
- Business Professionals – Presentations and meetings.
- Casual Users – Browsing, streaming, and light multitasking.
Who Should Buy a Non-Touch Laptop?
- Gamers – High-refresh matte screens for esports.
- Programmers – Lightweight, long battery, no need for touch.
- Writers & Office Users – Comfortable keyboards and no glare.
- Professional Creators – Video editing, 3D modeling, heavy workloads.
Future of Touch vs Non-Touch Laptops
By 2025, touchscreens are becoming more common even in mid-range laptops. However, they won’t replace non-touch laptops completely.
- Touch laptops will continue to dominate in education, business, and creative industries.
- Non-touch laptops will remain strong in gaming, programming, and professional use where durability and performance matter more.
Conclusion
Both touchscreen and non-touch laptops have their strengths and weaknesses.
- Go for a Touchscreen Laptop if you value flexibility, creativity, and tablet-like convenience. Perfect for students, business users, and digital artists.
- Stick with a Non-Touchscreen Laptop if you need longer battery life, higher performance, and gaming-ready displays. Ideal for coders, professionals, and gamers.
👉 In 2025, the best overall touchscreen laptop is the HP Spectre x360 14, while the best non-touch laptop is the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M3).
No matter which one you choose, the key is to match your laptop to your daily needs.