refers to a touch screen technology in which the screen is coated with a material that stores electrical charges. When the screen is touched a small charge is drawn to the point of touch and is measured by circuits in the panel and is then sent to the controller for processing. A capacitive touch screen only reacts to a human touch whereas resistive and SAW screens react to a finger or a stylus. Capacitive screens are a little clearer that resistive and are not affected by dust or water but they are more expensive. See SAW and Resistive.