For the simplified, intuitive and reliable operation of laboratory apparatuses, it is proposed that the laboratory apparatus be equipped with a control device comprising a touch-sensitive display unit (100), wherein the display unit (100) is configured to display a plurality of control elements (111, 112, 113 etc), which are assigned to different control functions of the laboratory apparatus, wherein the control elements are embodied (111, 112, 113 etc) to set parameters (121, 122, 123) of the control functions. At the same time, at least two of the control elements (111,112, 113, 114) are assigned to the same control function and embodied differently for setting the same parameter (121) of this control function. Therefore, the user is always offered a plurality of ways for setting a parameter or for operating the apparatus, such as, for example, for setting the rotational speed of a centrifuge. The touch-sensitive display unit is preferably embodied as a multi-touch screen, which is also able to recognise finger movements of the user, so-called gestures, as operator commands.