The most common application of touchpads is in laptops as built-in mouse replacements. Integration into the case eliminates the need for an external device, significantly increasing portability and ease of use in small spaces. Users can control the cursor, scroll and click without having to carry a separate accessory.
Touchpads are also available as separate, external devices that can be connected to a desktop computer via USB or Bluetooth. They serve as an alternative to a traditional mouse and are sometimes preferred because of ergonomic advantages or preference for gesture-based navigation similar to the experience on a laptop.
Some keyboards have an integrated touchpad on the side. This combination is ideal for situations where a separate mouse is impractical, such as in server racks, industrial control panels or when controlling a home theater PC (HTPC) from the couch. It provides complete control in one compact device.
Early touchpads were also used in personal digital assistants (PDAs) and some early smartphones as a compact method of navigation. Although largely replaced by touchscreens, this application demonstrates their versatility in devices where space is limited and precise cursor control was necessary.
The dominant technology is capacitive sensing. The surface of the touchpad contains a grid of conductors. The user's finger, which is electrically conductive, disturbs the local electric field of this grid. By continuously measuring at which coordinates the capacitance changes, the system can accurately track the finger's position and movement.
Modern touchpads support multi-touch, meaning they can detect multiple touch points simultaneously. This enables intuitive gestures, such as scrolling with two fingers, pinching to zoom in or out (pinch-to-zoom) and swiping with three or four fingers to switch desktops or manage apps. This significantly increases productivity.
In addition to the sensor surface, touchpads include functionality for mouse clicks. This is accomplished via physical buttons below the touchpad, or by making the entire surface clickable. Some models also have invisible 'soft buttons' where a tap on a specific part of the surface registers as a left or right mouse click.
Advanced touchpads, such as Apple's Force Touch trackpad, are equipped with pressure sensors. These can measure the amount of force applied, creating an additional input dimension. For example, a harder pressure (a 'force click') can open a preview of a file or display a word definition, opening up new possibilities for interaction.
At Dytos, we understand that each industry has specific requirements for touch solutions. That's why we offer a wide range of products and services designed to meet these diverse needs.
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Dytos, in collaboration with EETI, invites you to an exclusive, hands-on workshop designed to give you a competitive edge in the world of touchscreen solutions.
Date: Friday, November 28, 2025
Time: 09:30 - 14:00
Location: Dytos HQ, van der Waalsstraat 50, 2721KX, Zoetermeer
