I suspect this is like the iPhone screen size issue. Apple had some very good reasons for keeping the screen size small, but ultimately consumers found large phones to be more valuable, and in the end, Apple's commitment to small screen size held them back. You listed a bunch of really good arguments against touch screen laptops—and I agree with them—but tons of people who use touch screen laptops nevertheless find the value in it outweighs those negatives. Eventually, Apple will have to concede to the marketplace's wishes.