Laptop starts the multi-touch screen application

Computer firm HP claims it is developing a new range of products, including portable systems that use the same interface as the Apple iPhone.

This notebook will be available in the market within the next 18 months. ' Our research shows that the touch screen is being favored by less technical savvy users ,' said Phil McKinney, chief technology officer at HP's laptop manufacturing division.

HP's plan proves that the iPhone has brought new life to multitouch screens. This technology appears more and more on handheld devices and is looking for a way to penetrate the personal computer field.

Analysts said this was a smart move for HP. According to market research firm iSuppli (USA), the touch screen will be the most popular interface in the future with the presence of about 800 million products in 2013.

Microsoft also strengthened this trend by claiming support for touch features in the next operating system, which is expected to be available in early 2010.

Dell's second-largest computer maker Dell has launched a touch screen for the desktop for $ 618. Last month, it announced it would release a free software update to provide multitouch functionality for Latitude XT tablet PCs.

Despite its success with the iPhone, Apple has not taken any action in bringing multitouch technology to their PC lines.