Alternatives to an integrated webcam?

My laptop model can not have an integrated webcam (X200s with the WXGA+ LCD), but I would love to have something that feels as integrated as possible. I'd like to avoid annoying cables, especially long ones. I'm not too concerned with the performance/quality of the camera itself.

I only see one bluetooth camera on the market for ~$150 so that's one idea... anyone know of any wired cameras that don't feel too awkward? Any other ideas?

 

You could try one of the clip on webcams, that attach the the top of the screen (like where an intergrated one would be)

And then the wire would go down behind the back of the lid, and you shouldnt see it for the monst part.

 

Ya, I'm trying to avoid the wire altogether... in my case it will need to come around the side to find a USB port. A short, thin wire would help... but I'd be at the mercy of whatever wire is integrated into the webcam.

 

A non integrated webcam?

They are all going to be wires.

 

The Microsoft Lifecam NX-6000 is an option: It's got an integrated clamp and a 2ft cable, which is manageable I guess. I don't have any experience of it but it seems to fit your need. There's a cheaper version, the 3000, which is a 1.3MP / 640x480 camera.

 

things you should known:
- all integrated webcams despite their 2/3 or more MP are crap just because they need to be small. small means that the lens, despite their quality, aren't going to be good enough to display a nice picture.
- lens quality is one of the most important things. so don't buy any ebay crap even if it announced 16MP, which can be true, but it doesn't reflects whatsoever in the image quality.
- read carefully about the real resolution of the webcams.
this site has great reviews of many webcams. search a bit. http://cowboyfrank.net/webcams/index.htm#revews
about bluetooth cameras, they are crap. bluetooth doesn't have enough bandwidth to transmit video, it will be VERY laggy.
btw you can use a nokia symbian phone with camera as a bluetooth webcam. http://my-symbian.com/s60v3/software/applications.php?faq=4&fldAuto=194
there's no solution on the market for your problem. a cable is really needed.

 

Good info, thanks. It's hard to find info on cable lengths, for example.

I understand why bluetooth isn't common (just the BT-1?).

 

I wish bluetooth WAS more common.

 

I found an NX-6000 for a great price, but I'm not happy with it. The cable is long and needs to be wrapped up, the connector is just a standard USB one that sticks way out, and the mount on this model doesn't work well with my Thinkpad's clamshell design - it seems to want a nice, flat edge to the LCD.

Sure wish I could integrate a webcam into my WXGA+ lid...

 

Hmmm. I guess it's really a case of identifying when you actually need a webcam - and maybe it's actually worth picking one that's completely separate. I mean, I hardly ever use the cams integrated onto my laptops because although I use Skype for voice all the time, when I videoconference, I actually like seeing the nuances of the other parties and believe that's the point of having video - so I get them to buy or rent a system that is compatible with my Lifesize's, or I don't do videoconferencing at all. You don't have to go to that level but if you are actually going to have an add-on unit, you might as well make a feature out of it and a bigger- 'HD' camera might actually be more useful?

Perhaps, and this is Mr. Profligate speaking don't forget, but if the integration of the webcam into the laptop is of such a concern you could buy a netbook for times when you need a webcam?