Is this possible? I have a touchscreen Windows 8 laptop that folds backwards into a tent shape and it would be ideal as a control surface. I've never looked into using touchscreen surfaces but I've heard of people using phones and tablets to this end - is there any use for my laptop?

Since Win8 supports apps, you might search the Windows app store for TouchDAW or something like it.

It wouldn't work if you need immediate tactile response, but if you need a "remote control" you could just remote desktop in?

 I wonder if this would work
 http://sites.fastspring.com/avatron/product/airdisplayforwindows
 There's a free trial. 
  

That looks perfect, I would like to try a demo though. I wonder if there's any reviews of it.

TouchDAW appears to be Android only unfortunately.

sharke
That looks perfect, I would like to try a demo though. I wonder if there's any reviews of it.

Scroll down to the "Installation" - says to download the demo version.
It's not expensive either, price shows as $24.95 NZD.
 
May be time for me to spring for a new laptop :-)
 
If you get it, please let us know how it works out, I'm VERY Interested in this.
 
Cheers - Cliff

I have used a remote-control generic program to control the whole screen, but I don't use it anymore since I got V-Control Pro for my iPad.  That has a dedicated SONAR driver and works very well.
 

joeb1cannoli
 I wonder if this would work
 http://sites.fastspring.com/avatron/product/airdisplayforwindows
 There's a free trial. 

 
I tried out the free trial. My DAW is Windows 8.1 with X2, my remote computer is a Win7 laptop - wireless G.
 
The installation is a bit confusing, partly because of the terms they use in the instructions, partly because the instructions are not completely clear, and also because some of the instructions are Mac-centric. I finally got it working and was disappointed by the performance - it works and the display looks pretty good, but way too much screen lag. Maybe it works better with wireless N, or Ethernet (which would defeat the convenience of the remote).
 
VNC works better than this app - using VNC there is less screen lag and VNC is easier to set up.
 
Maybe it works better with a Mac - I can test that later, but as far as Windows, no thanks.

I have GREAT success using WIN8's built in Remote Desktop.  If you have a reasonably fast WIFI connection in your work area, using TOUCH on the remote laptop for the transport controllers respond immediately.
 
I use this for tracking sessions where I need to be both the musician and the engineer.  Touch the record button and off we go... bad take, no problem, CNTL Z, hit record again... all from the comfort of my guitar playing bar stool in another room from my DAW.
 
The remote screen looks just like your DAWs screens and enables touch if your laptop is touch enabled. So, no setup time or compromise on features since you are controller and seeing your DAWs screen(s) on the remote laptop.
 
Jim
 
PS - oh, and did I tell you, this feature and software is FREE and built right into WIN 8.