Dual-Screen Laptop has Touchcreen Keyboard

Asus plans to demonstrate at CeBIT a dual-screen laptop which replaces the keyboard with an additional touchscreen display.    

The Taiwanese manufacturer said the prototype could be used as a conventional laptop, a multimedia hub or an an e-book reader.

The dual-screen laptop, which may not become a commercial product, is the result of the ideas contributed from users from around the world as part of Asus and Intel's Community Designed PC project.

"The dual panel offers a flexible working space in which users can adapt to suit their prevailing usage scenarios, for example adjusting the size of the virtual touchpad and keyboard," said Asus.

The use of the touchcreen provides an input mechanism that's both flexible and intuitive, according to Asus. The company said the system could be controlled using hand gestures, handwriting recognition and multi-touch.

However, by disabling the software-based keyboard, the laptop can also be turned into an e-book, which can be held like a conventional book in which pages can be moved through touch or gestures.

Also, the two panels could be combined to form a larger display for watching widescreen movies.