Imagine having a iMac Touch with REDCINE-X on set. The DOP could quickly zip through clips with the touch of his finger. In fact, you could go one better… Imagine having a MacPro + Apple Touch Cinema Display on set running REDCINE-X and accelerated by a RED ROCKET. Now that would be cool!

Mac’s would suddenly become, well, just big, powerful iPhones…

It’s important to note that I’m not saying that a touch screen will replace the KEYBOARD – I think it’s going to replace the MOUSE. But more importantly… I think that Apple will introduce a new keyboard on the MacPro towers, Mac mini and iMac’s that will have a multi-touch panel built in (just like in their MacBook range), so you’ll be able to use that as a mouse replacement as well.

So I’m CERTAINLY NOT saying that you’re going to have to keep your arms stretched the whole time. Most of the time you’ll be using a keyboard as per normal, plus your normal “laptop style” mouse. But, when you do need to do something quickly – like drag a file from one screen to the other, or flip a photo, pan through masses of video footage, label Faces on iPhoto – then all you’ll need to do is touch the screen.

Personally, I think switching between the keyboard and mouse will be easy. Most of the time, the keyboard will be fine. The fact that you’ll be able to use the touch panel on the keyboard as well will also speed things up. Really the touchable screen is just a bonus. But a big bonus. And incredibly handy for a lot of different tasks.

Apple is all about making life easier – making simple jobs quicker and more effective. It’s also about making things “cool”. Having a touch screen will speed up a lot of things – but will also encourage thinking outside the box and trying new things. People might start putting device-less iMac’s in their kitchen to replace their little TVs. If you want to search the web, you just tap the screen and away you go. Easy as an iPhone!

I can understand your point of view Jon – but I think you’re almost missing the point. I DON’T think the touch screens are a keyboard replacement by any stretch of the imagination – however I do think that for some uses, a keyboard won’t be needed. I do however think the days of the mighty mouse are numbered.

Finally, your comment about Apple being able to “easily make a touch-screen Mac” – technically, maybe yes. However, even if they’ve got the technology to do it, they need to be able to make it affordable. In fact, they almost need to make it irrelevant – a iMac Touch should cost the same as an equivalent standard iMac. This is the tricky part. Developing a product that is easily mass produced, and ensuring that there’s an actual market out there that wants the product. I think with a boost to the graphics card, a processor bump, and some other nifty little updates – plus the inclusion of a touch-screen, I think Apple will be able to charge a fraction more for each of it’s new products and people will still buy them.

As always, only time will tell!

Thanks for ready Jon! And please, keep the comments coming!

The problem is – how long can you sit there with your arms stretched out before you get tired? I can’t imagine using it all day without serious RSI.

Also, how convenient will it be to switch between keyboard and touchscreen? I’m not sure.