We've entered the age of touch, and it looks like it will be more than just a fad. With the proliferation of smartphones and tablets pushing touch screens to the fore, the hands-on interface has gained even more prominence in the world of PCs thanks to Windows 8, Microsoft's current operating system, which relies heavily upon touch for an intuitive user experience.

While all of the usual factors in choosing a monitor still apply—like price, size, features, and display quality—touch screens add an extra element to the mix. You'll still need to pay attention to what sort of resolution a monitor offers, or whether the display uses an IPS panel or twisted nematic (TN+). But there are new design considerations to consider as well.

The stability of the monitor now extends beyond merely holding still, as touch screen displays will be tapped and prodded in the course of daily use. Where spindly stands and adjustable hinges were once sufficient, now they aren't enough, yielding to easily to every touch. The latest crop of touch-screen monitors are easy to adjust, but stand firm against the onslaught of fingers and thumbs.

You'll also need to be able to adjust the angle. For brief uses of touch, the standard vertical orientation used on regular monitors will be fine for PC users, but for anyone who wants to really maximize their touch experience, you'll want to adjust the angle and height of your monitor to avoid the dreaded "gorilla arm"—the effects of using a touch monitor with poorly thought out ergonomics.

In order to be certified for use with Windows 8, there are other considerations as well. In order to allow edge-swiping (which allows several shortcuts in Windows 8), certified monitors must use a bezel design that doesn't interfere with these actions, so edge-to-edge glass has become much more common. The monitor must be able to track five or more points of contact at a time, with 10-digit tracking becoming the standard.

Still puzzling out how to choose the right touch-screen monitor? That's what we're here for, with a list of the five best touch-enabled displays we've reviewed so far. Looking for more guidance? We've got you covered, showing you How to Buy an LCD Monitor.

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