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    Integrated webcams?

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by noverlap, Oct 11, 2008.

  1. noverlap

    noverlap Notebook Guru

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    I'm trying to decide whether I should spend a few extra bucks for an integrated webcam. Should I buy one separately? Which has less risk of system incompatibilities?

    I'd like to keep the webcam under 50 dollars if it makes a difference
     
    noverlap, Oct 11, 2008
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  2. nizzy1115

    nizzy1115 Notebook Prophet

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    I think its neat to have it built in. Its a much more sleek feel. I have an internal one now and my usb one is sitting in the closet...
     
    nizzy1115, Oct 11, 2008
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  3. noverlap

    noverlap Notebook Guru

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    Would there any quality difference at all?
    And do you have to angle the screen much to get the view you want?
     
    noverlap, Oct 12, 2008
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  4. yoseph90

    yoseph90 Notebook Consultant

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    You should go for it, I think it's really convenient as it doesn't occupy a usb slot, isn't an eyesore, and you can videochat in a starbucks without bringing along an external webcam, which would be really lame.

    I would get at least a 1.3 MP webcam for decent quality. Quality would depend on the manufacturer as well, but most integrated webcams have the same capture quality as the external ones.

    It would depend on what view you are looking for. You can angle the screen quite a bit to get the desired picture, but it would depend on the LCD panel's viewing angle and the lighting in your room (If you have a glossy screen like mine the reflections can be very annoying). Most integrated webcams are not adjustable and rely on the laptop's screen position. This is fine if you want to capture your face and the background from the front, but not in a different angle. I think it's perfectly suited to most needs, unless you need it to monitor a room or something similar.

    hope this helps
     
    yoseph90, Oct 12, 2008
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  5. paper_wastage

    paper_wastage Beat this 7x7x7 Cube

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    it also depends..

    i miss my desktop's wide-angle webcam(Logitech Fusion, can fit multiple people in the view without squeezing together)... though an integrated webcam on a laptop = portability's sake...
     
    paper_wastage, Oct 12, 2008
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  6. billy_b0b

    billy_b0b Notebook Consultant

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    go built-in. less clutter
     
    billy_b0b, Oct 12, 2008
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  7. noverlap

    noverlap Notebook Guru

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    Thanks guys =)
    I'll go with integrated then
     
    noverlap, Oct 12, 2008
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  8. bigddybn

    bigddybn Notebook Evangelist

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    My wife has both and she will typically use the internal as she can follow my 2 year old around the house with it for Grandma to see :)
     
    bigddybn, Oct 12, 2008
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  9. azntiger1000

    azntiger1000 Notebook Deity

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    I say get it built in. You don't want to carry another one with you all the time. This way you don't have to worry about the clutter.
     
    azntiger1000, Oct 12, 2008
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