Touchpad and Touchscreen
Two Ways to Control Without a Mouse
A mouse is not the only way to control the pointer. Laptops use a touchpad. Tablets and phones use a touchscreen. Both let you control the computer with your fingers.
👋 Touchpad
Found on: Laptops
Slide finger to move pointer
Tap to click
Small flat surface below keyboard
📱 Touchscreen
Found on: Tablets and Phones
Tap the screen directly
Use one or more fingers
Screen itself is the control
Using a Touchpad
The touchpad sits below the keyboard on a laptop. You slide one finger across it to move the pointer. Tap once to click, and tap twice fast to double-click. Some touchpads have buttons at the bottom like a mouse.
👉 Touchpad Finger Movements
| Gesture | How to Do It | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Slide | Move 1 finger across pad | Moves pointer on screen |
| Tap | Touch pad lightly with 1 finger | Same as left click |
| Two-Finger Scroll | Slide 2 fingers up or down | Scrolls the page up or down |
Using a Touchscreen
A touchscreen responds when you touch the screen with your finger. You tap directly on buttons, apps, and text. The screen feels your finger and acts immediately.
📲 Common Touchscreen Actions
| Action | Result |
|---|---|
| Tap once | Opens an app or selects something |
| Swipe left or right | Moves to the next or previous page |
| Pinch two fingers in | Makes screen content smaller (zoom out) |
| Spread two fingers apart | Makes screen content bigger (zoom in) |
Example
Think of a touchscreen like drawing on glass. Your finger is the pencil. The screen feels exactly where you touch and does what you want right away.
Quick Review
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Where is a touchpad found? | On a laptop, below the keyboard |
| What does pinching the screen do? | Zooms out (makes content smaller) |
| Which device uses a touchscreen? | Tablet and smartphone |
© estudy247.com | Junior Computer Skills – Class 1