Evaluating Web Browsing Efficiency: Laptops vs. Touch-Screen PCs
In a recent study, participants were asked to use either a laptop or a touch-screen PC to seek information on the web. The experiment aimed to compare the performance and cognitive load of users on these two devices.
The study, however, did not investigate the impact of touch-screen PCs on other types of computing tasks beyond web-based information seeking. While there is relevant research comparing cognitive performance tasks across different device modalities, direct studies specifically contrasting laptops versus touchscreen PCs for web-based information search are limited.
The findings of the study revealed some interesting insights. Participants who used the laptop retrieved more relevant elements than those who used the touch-screen PC. On the other hand, touch-screen PC users spent more time on each webpage compared to laptop users.
Cognitive load measurements further support the idea that using a touch-screen PC may require more mental effort. The study found significant differences in EEG-based cognitive load index across devices, with participants using touch-screen PCs showing higher cognitive load.
Interestingly, the experiment found no significant difference in the number of irrelevant elements retrieved between users of touch-screen PCs and laptops. Additionally, there were no significant differences in the number of irrelevant webpages bookmarked between the two groups.
The study also revealed significant differences in pupil size variation across devices. Participants using touch-screen PCs had larger variations in pupil size compared to those using laptops.
Despite these findings, the study did not consider the potential benefits of using touch-screen PCs, such as improved user experience or mobility, in this specific context. The experiment also did not explicitly address whether touch-screen computers are suited for every computing need, particularly for web-based information seeking tasks.
In conclusion, while the study provides valuable insights into the differences in performance and cognitive load between laptops and touch-screen PCs during web-based information searches, more targeted research is needed to draw firm conclusions. The findings raise questions about the suitability of touch-screen computers for every computing need, particularly for web-based information seeking tasks.
While the study compared the performance and cognitive load of users on laptops and touch-screen PCs for web-based information searching, it did not explore the potential benefits of touch-screen PCs, such as user experience or mobility. Additionally, more research is needed to determine if touch-screen computers are suitable for every computing need, especially in web-based information seeking tasks.
