Laptop Web Cam and Microphone

How IdeaStorm Works:

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) Comments | Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) Ideas | Laptops Comments | Laptops Ideas

21732

Laptop Web Cam and Microphone

21732 points posted to Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops by terrymain 02/16/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

All new laptops should have a built in web cam and quality voice recorder/microphone.

Webcams are standard on all XPS laptops and an option on all Inspiron laptops.

« Previous 1 2 Next »

harnek_singh 02/16/07	I would greatly appreciate that feature....having webcam and voice recorder within the laptop makes it complete...this is the need now...
gautam 02/16/07	This will inevitably come to Dells...it's just a matter of time. For now, I am promoting your idea!
nick_inspironvista 02/17/07	I would greatly appreciate this idea. Also i would like skype preinstalled as well with this choice!
chgotwn 02/17/07	Every other major OEM such as HP & Sony offers web cam. It's time for Dell to start offering web cams. Dell needs to do some major upgrade on their Inspiron lineup.
jervis961 02/17/07	I think reasonally priced option should be offered, but not manditory. I for one would never use the camera and would prefer to use the money saved for other options.
iota 02/17/07	This is already an option for Dell, and I opted out of it because it is just not needed. Way to do your research! I should have guessed there would be ppl requesting things that just don't have relevance and/or are already available.
ronc44 02/17/07	I've been through a couple of trial configurations for an Inspiron notebook and have NOT seen an option for a built-in web cam. I've bought 2 Dells in the past & am about to pull the trigger on a new notebook but would love to have the option of a web cam. Hello Sony & HP!
aliaskary77 02/17/07	@iota. really? there is a built in webcam option, kind of like all apple laptops have? are were you referring to an external usb webcam they offer as an accessory? did you even read the submitted idea properly? my i9100 at least had a built in mic. my new xps1710 does not even have that. i would have liked to have a built in mic and BUILT IN webcam right above the lcd, like the apples have.
harborsparrow 02/17/07	The camera in my MacBook kicks butt and is utterly encapsulated and not in the way until I need it. Copy that idea!
stasysv 02/17/07	I would like to have an option. In other words, I would like to choose to have or not to have an inbuilt camera.
danwarne 02/17/07	This is a clear case of Apple demonstrating industry leadership. Obviously, most people don't see the point/need of having a webcam, but once it's built into their notebook, and lots of other people's notebooks, it becomes an incredibly useful thing. If you're a Mac user with a lot of Mac-using friends/family, it's awesome to have them all available for video chat. Presumably the cost of adding a small mobile-phone-type camera to each notebook when you do it across an entire range wouldn't be costly -- probably a couple of dollars per notebook. Dell should step up to the plate and do the same, integrating it as a standard feature.
guardianxps 02/17/07	I cant see this option being on EVERY system only because the technology required might be way above the system its going on, can we say low end computers?
guardianxps 02/17/07	I cant see this option being on EVERY system only because the technology required might be way above the system its going on, can we say low end computers?
uklathemock 02/17/07	Well, if nothing else, it saves me a usb port. I would like a webcam option.
exzen 02/18/07	If they put a camera on all the laptops, they should make linux drivers for them available as well. Integrated peripherals can be a bitch to get working right...
blizcheetah 02/18/07	Ugh! I do not wasnt a built in camera. I am already trying to convince my parents "no camera". If it was built in I would not buy it! I am friggin camera-shy
samcal 02/18/07	no, No, NO! It is extremely short-sighted to assume everyone needs this. Many, many business, corporate, government, and military users CANNOT have a camera or audio recording capabilities in their computers - or even in their cell phones). It is offered as an option on many Dell models.
exzen 02/18/07	Yeah, I think I'd prefer it as an option as well. I don't like that the M1210 forces you to get a webcam now, as its useless for a lot of us.
florbinant 02/19/07	built-in Camera and Mic should be offered as an option (I understand some people don't want it for privacy) in all the laptop sold in the market. . The webcam should come with : - A light that let you know you are "on air". - 2 small white leds you can switch on when you are in a dark place. - A good quality built-in microphone
kruz 02/19/07	There are a few systems that do come with Cameras but they should not be a forced option, and it might be nice to have it as on most systems, but there are a lot of businesses that will not let you have cameras on campus. Most people who want webcams have a very nice quality webcams and usually a headset as anyone with a mic and speakers would be able to tell you that having a built in mic and speakers on the same device can cause a lot of feedback and looping.
jervis961 02/19/07	Maybe Just have the option of a built in camera or not. I don't want one because I would never use it and if it has bad resolution I can't upgrade it.
thattallguy 02/19/07	Second the "no camera" option. I've bought three Dells in a row but I won't buy one with a built-in camera.
ausiv 02/19/07	Yeah, definitely have some computers with no webcam. A built in webcam and audio recorder can't be cheap, and some commodity laptops need to come with minimal features. It's nice to have the option of a webcam, but the option of no webcam is important as well.
r3m0t 02/20/07	I don't want to pay for a built-in camera either.
anolis 02/20/07	this would be a good feature.. as long as there is a kill switch of some sort to disconnect the camera and audio recorder..
tw04l124 02/20/07	The cams in the laptops are shit. I have one and I dont use it for years. Webcams make the notebooks expensive. I dont buy hardware with such shit, also i dont like any dvb-tuner in it or a remote control. This things never work under linux, because the hardware is crappy.
shadowman 02/20/07	I think that this is a bad idea. I couldn't care less about a webcam and voice recording. Why would I have to buy that? Why couldn't I buy a laptop without that shit? That reminded me of another thing that I don't like at all, which is wide screens. I think it's stupid. There is no advantage in having a wider screen. Web pages are not gone get wider. If I could get a higher screen, that would be useful. I could read more text without scrolling. I just can't think of any applications which would benefit from wider screens except maybe DVD players. But watching a DVD on a laptop is stupid itself. I don't see why everything else is less important than watching DVDs on laptops. Some of us use computers to do work.
bernhard795 02/21/07	Don't think this is a good idea. I'm writing software for the automobile industries, and they're very deprecative about cameras you're bringing with you. No matter, if they're built in a mobile phone, in a notebook, or just plain cameras. Besides, I already have a webcam. I wouldn't need another one :)
ventura 02/21/07	I agree it shouldn't necessarily be installed on the laptop (for security reasons in some industries), but I do think there should be a highly portable attachment for laptops that can do this. It is just silly to have to yank out cables and everything else just to hook up a microphone and camera. I would be perfectly happy with a little device you could just clip into place somewhere on the laptop that would just magically work.
sjqchill 02/21/07	Apple's got it nailed on this one. Their serious desktop machines have no webcam preinstalled. They're meant for getting work done. But their machines meant for home use - laptops and iMac line all have them built in standard. In the Dell world that would be all Inspiron laptops and Dimension desktops. It really wouldn't take much to effort. Just build a cam and mic into the bezel of laptop sceens and LCD monitors. It doesn't have to be a standard feature, but that would be nice. It at least needs to be an option. HP has the option on most of their laptops. It will also be important to provide some software to use the webcam out of the box, not just rely on MSN messenger. There should be something where you can test it and play around with it before hooking up with others and talking online. For me, this will be a deal breaker. My whole family got webcams for Christmas. For now I have to carry around a little $12 webcam I got from Hong Kong on ebay in my laptop bag. My next laptop (in about a year and a half) will have a webcam. I've been very happy with my Inspiron 9300 and I use it every day. I would very much like to stick with the inspiron line because it's a good value, and Dell offers the best screens and video cards available for the money. But if there's no webcam, I'll have to go with HP against my better judgment. As a side note, it was a tragedy the day Dell stopped building mics into their laptops. I had to spend $25 to buy one off ebay from some guy in England who makes tiny mics with no cord, you just plug it in. There's no reason not to include one. Even though it'll be a little off topic, I'm going to list what my new laptop will have around summer 2008. If Dell's got it, I'll get it from Dell. Otherwise, I'll have look elsewhere. 15.4 or 17 inch widescreen high-def (1920x1200) Intel quad-core processor 4 GB DDR2 RAM Blu-Ray or HD-DVD writer, whoever is winning the format war. I'm thinking HD-DVD Flash-based boot drive for OS and Applications - 60 GB or so SATA HDD 120GB or so Built-in webcam and mic 512 MB video card, pretty high end nvidia or ATI HDMI in and out with DHCP 802.11n wireless Wi-max Dell, please build me this machine in a year and a half and I'll buy it.
sjqchill 02/21/07	I almost forgot. Webcams should be an option for the whole line, not just the little XPS with integrated graphics that really shouldn't be called an XPS. Webcams should be available for every laptop intended for home use (better to be standard for home and an option for the Latitude line). It should also be an option for desktops. Just build a webcam into the bezel of the LCD and offer it as an option for $20 more.
monkeeofevil 02/21/07	Absolutely, Apple has been doing this for quite some time now....I think it should be a standard option w/ any laptop..not just Dell.
manimal347 02/21/07	I sternly oppose this. It raises the cost of a laptop. What about 500$ laptops?
shadowman 02/21/07	Exactly.
ddix 02/22/07	As evaluation of student work and classroom instruction begins to move to video and audion clips - having the technology embedded would save the set-up of using such a system. It would be more time efficient and "cord" efficient.
incase 02/22/07	I'm opposed to having built-in webcams on all notebooks. Especially in the business area, cams of all kinds aren't taken too well (at least in many places I went to). And while I would like a nice webcam on my laptop, I would also like to be able to remove it or at least cover it completely when I don't need it. A sort of cam-bay on the lid or near the hinges comes to mind: insert your cam there and it will work, remove it and places a stub there and you have a cam-less notebook.
exine 02/22/07	Merged Idea originally posted 02/22/07 Cameras and Mic's on laptops We've already seen them on your XPS series. I don't think a laptop should be without them, It should be a standard. Apple, HP and some other companies are already making this so. And not those big bulky one's, very low-profile, high qualit would be perfect.
77856432203 02/22/07	Merged Idea originally posted 01/30/07 I SEE YOU With our first child on the way, and the grandmas both out of town, the only way I am going to keep my sanity is to provide a way for them to see their granddaughter regularly WITHOUT coming for a weekly visit. It sure would be nice if my next notebook had a web cam already built in and good to go.
i_own_dell 02/22/07	Merged Comment originally posted 02/16/07 I think we are going to get that within the next dell laptops.....so many people voting for the same... http://www.dellideastorm.com/article/show/61249/Microphones_in_notebooks
howardnyc 02/22/07	Merged Comment originally posted 02/18/07 suggest: make sure there is a blinking light so you know when you are narrowcasting... and mute the mike, since you never know when you or your spouse will bad-mouth one set (or the other) of in-laws suggest: use of encrypted channel for prvacy as well as to not let burgulars know when you are not home
rube 02/22/07	Merged Comment originally posted 02/16/07 Even Dell's XPS 1710 doesn't come with a built-in mic.
i_own_dell 02/22/07	Merged Comment originally posted 02/16/07 built in mic + webcam
ridesim 02/22/07	Merged Comment originally posted 02/18/07 Make sure the mic isn't right next to the fans or speakers, as it tends to be in older XPS notebooks.
delltech 02/22/07	Merged Comment originally posted 02/20/07 Bad idea, I want my mic on a headset so I can use it as I move around, and not pick up ambient noise from the system or the environment.
n_lien 02/22/07	Merged Comment originally posted 02/22/07 The webcam isn't such a bad idea, but a built in mic is usually very low quality and picks up a lot of background noise. From the point of view of the listener it is really dreadful. It's better to have a headset.
owensmp 02/22/07	Merged Idea originally posted 02/09/07 Microphones in notebooks Dell should put Microphones back in consumer notebooks. Customers shouldn't have to buy an XPS notebook just to get a Microphone.
chgotwn 02/22/07	Merged Idea originally posted 02/17/07 Web Cams Please!!! Dell needs to upgrade their Inspiron lineup with web cams and new video cards. Current inspiron lineup looks ancient and outdated.
emme 02/22/07	I think that a camera and the Skype headphones set will be very useful to increase the use of the computer as a communication station. I think that the software to communicate has to be pre-installed.
patval 02/22/07	I had decided to place my order, so I told my wife "ok, it is now, I found my laptop"... a nice XPS 17 inches.... My wife came to me and said.. "but... you won't have a camera and a microphone included?? you'll have to travel all your cables with you?" I bought a competitor's machine that I like less... but it had the Microphone and Camera... All computers need a webcam and Microphone.
shadowman 02/22/07	All computers need a webcam and Microphone. No, they don't. You need that. I don't. Why should I pay for what I don't need? Just because you need something, everybody should have to buy it. Makes no sense. Wouldn't it be fair if there were options for everybody. Some laptops with bullshit built-in and some without.
keter 02/23/07	I specifically purchase systems without web cams and built-in microphones (that includes cell phones - no camera, ever). I totally don't want one on there; if I end up having to have one, I'm going to tape over it. I accidentally clicked on something in YahooMessenger one day, and it popped up a message asking if I would like FlashPlayer to have access to my webcam...OMG!!!!!!! I will resist to the end anything that admits the risk of something or someone to gaining access to a camera that sees me, sees my surroundings, property, etc. It is a HUGE security issue!
mikeweb 02/23/07	Merged Idea originally posted 02/23/07 Webcam to notebook Put a high quality webcam standard to a notebook.
thirty2bit 02/25/07	I disagree-- you're turning a laptop into a mediocre junk-drawer then. What I mean is... take cameras on cell phones for example. They are becoming so common these days that it's hard to get 'just' a cell phone without a camera. When my company recently renewed cell phone contracts as we do every year, we usually take advantage of getting new phones "free". This year, all of the free phones had cameras except one model! Its was something silly, like 4:1. The problem with cell phone cameras is that they're mediocre. The pictures are not as good as a real camera, the features for picture taking settings) are weak and hard to adjust. But the camera feature is there like cheese on a trap to catch new customers, or to get existing customers to upgrade their phone and "lock them back in". Now that we have a couple dozen people with camera phones, guess how much we use them? Zip. The same would go for building webcams into a laptop. Cost and complexity for a feature that will be largely unused by many people. And frankly webcam resolution sucks for anything but feeble video. Don't do it, and keep the costs down.
shadowman 02/25/07	I have had cameras on my cell phones for years. Not because I wanted one, but because you can barely get a phone without one. Guess how many pictures I took with cell phones in my life? ZERO.
ra0 02/26/07	Webcam is mandatory ! I dont know about Inspiron laptop, but for a pro usage, companies are using more and more webconf, webmeeting and so on. When a company is communicating with e-attendees, I cannot imagine being stuck to phone call or instant messenging tools for dialogs. And when you are a roaming user, moreover, you dont want to have a lot of external peripherals to connect to your LT. You just want an easy and ready to use system. No need to debate about private or security concerns : voice+cam are more and more required for professional stuff. I can hardly figure how DELL couldnt offer webcam in their laptops. btw I've recently have an XPS M1210, with embedded webcam. A great effort but, honest, this product is far below what HP, Sony, Acer and so on can offer. Really. I think the inspirationis to be taken having a look at Asus laptop... Anyhow, LATITUDEs need WEBCAM.
vozome 02/26/07	that should remain an option. if we have to have a webcam on a laptop, I agree that it's better to have it integrated than to waste a valuable usb port or something. that being said, I would mind putting a few dollars in a webcam that I won't use, and it has an impact on power consumption, too.
sputnik 02/27/07	no web cam... no popular... [Russian] - Moscow
oblus 02/27/07	YES!!! Latitude and all DELL laptops need buildin webcam!!! I really agree! AND WE NEED ALSO FLASHLIGHT ON KEYBOARD!!!! (this is funny but two little bright lighting leds we need at least!) so many people work in cars etc. where is poor light... :( i also can say that in XXI century people (IT generally) need more components buildin, like: minumim 2 gigaethernet interfaces (to route &/r switch traffic), WiFi buildin with a,b,g,g+ etc. standards (to choose) with buildin external antena connector, cellurar modems(?), minimum 2 USB(4 should beOK), fireware, EXTERNAL SATA or smth similar
drbusch 02/27/07	I would attempt to avoid any model with such a feature- it eats up space, power, and I wouldn't use it.
brando1333 02/27/07	Merged Idea originally posted 02/17/07 Add a Camera to all Flat Monitors & TVs Add a small webcam into all the monitors and TV in your lineup!
ladybug 02/27/07	I agree...I think a built in Web cam would be a great feature!
plo 02/27/07	I agree, a built-in webcam would be great I would be great if the bult-in mic has a better place; mine (Inspiron 8200) is placed near the volume up/dn button and not far from the keybord; so when I'm in audio conference, people at the other side hear horrible noise when I change the volume and some nifty sound while I'm typing
eeed 02/27/07	The web cam idea is great. Even better than the standard microphone would be the option to have an array microphone. Dell could leap ahead of other vendors with the high-quality audio input that an array microphone provides.
wieschiolek 02/28/07	I love my D400 very dearly because it is so light! Extra baggge like a webcam make me suspicious concerning the weight factor. Even more important: Some customers won't let me take the device in, because web cams are prohibited on their premises. This is the knock-out for the idea of having a cam in each laptop!
multiplet 02/28/07	I am with [wieschiolek]. Court houses (e.g. for jury duty) and many other facilities, prohibit any camera or recording devices (including camera phone)... I will suggest, making the camera and microphone modular/detachable, better yet, after detaching, reveal a label stating the camera/microphone is detached to convince the security guard.
lek2k 02/28/07	Low price notebook get more market share by add Webcam ,Webcam deliver great experience for internet user as Video conference,please built-in competitive model.
wieschiolek 02/28/07	Actually I don't see a business case for a webcam. Videoconferencing? Just kidding. If I want to make a pic, I won't brandishing a laptop at the target. I would rather use a mobile phone, if allowed at the customer site. Even this is happening in seldom cases. Real photos are taken with real cameras: I am using a Nikon D70. I don't need some additional device making crap shots.
wieschiolek 02/28/07	Sorry for the extra post, but the original idea was two-fold: web cam AND quality voice recorder. For the latter: YES! Since VoIP is increasing in popularity, it is feasible to have a quick means for making contact. I am working in a distributed project team and we have frequent questions and remarks. These are done over phone or skype. I would prefer to have simple VoIP setup built within the laptop.
ron_miller 03/02/07	Like the option to have it built in.
jaro65 03/05/07	The camera should be on all laptops by default.
wieschiolek 03/06/07	Webcams cannot be part of a business laptop, because in many areas, photo devices are not allowed at all. I am using a Nokia 6021 phone for the same reason.
coulton20 03/06/07	This definatly should be avalible at least as an option, because they are very common now, and all but a standard accessory. Finally many other manufactures are realising this and Dell weill begin to lose business if not carefull due to this!
santiagosrz 03/06/07	Though i don't use webcam, it's a good idea for dell. if you see the video (on youtube) when Mr. Jobs presents the Macbook pro the big "Wow" came when he shows the little- cheap- built-in- webcam
jodosh 03/07/07	I think it is a good OPTION to have, but leave it as that. If I am getting a laptop to do system admin I have no need for this, but if I am getting a laptop to travel with and do presentations on it could be useful, not to mention the home users/college students that really could use something like this.
goomoo 03/08/07	I couldn't disagree with this more. I HATE that laptops come with webcams, card readers, media buttons, and all sorts of other garbage that I'll never use. If i wanted a webcam, a card reader, or any other accessory for my laptop, I'd research and purchase it independantly, so I'd get what I wanted, not what I was limited to. Dell's laptops are far behind in technology, especially video performance. Please Dell, work on making better laptops, before shoving all sorts of unwanted, unnessasary, space-taking accessories!
georgia_rebel 03/10/07	I have one built in my Hypersonic EX-7 while before I bought it I didnt care about it having one but now that I do, I would always include it on future orders, yes this is a good idea
saiing 03/13/07	It's not a bad idea, but why ALL laptops? Why should someone who never wants to use a webcam have to pay extra (and it will have an impact on cost, regardless of how small) for redundant technology that they have no use for.
lsc 03/13/07	Umm, no. unless it is free, (in terms of both money and weight) making webcams standard is a Very Bad Idea. Me, I carry a ThinkPad X22 - I will be upgrading sometime in the next year, likely to the IBM X60 w/ the integrated wan, because dell doesn't make a laptop without that annoying trackpad. Me, I'm cool with laptops that are kindof slow- I want something light and minimal; a keyboard and internet connection. Keyboard feel, for me, is key. I will seriously pay a $500 premium on top of the regular cost of the laptop just for a firm keyboard with a good trackpoint and no trackpad. The new Levano keyboards are moving in the wrong direction (they are softer than the old IBM keyboards, but still better than any other laptop on the market)
greythanis 03/23/07	Now i'm kinda the opposite. Gimme as much power and features as possible and damn the weight and size. I'll take a 21 inch screen with every thing built in. I hate having a small thing which has to have tons of things added on (like a mac with a usb hub i think is silly, instead of having tons of ports) I would favor a webcam that fits in an aestetically nice slot at the top of the screen. that way, when ordering the laptop, one can ask for the webcam with it, or it can be purchased at a later stage in one's budget. the voice recorder i would build into a computer (they are cheap and small.)
hazel 03/24/07	No thanks, I pay enough for my comps without having to pay extra for a webcam I won't use.
deadowl 03/25/07	I'd like to buy a Dell with a built-in (please quality) video and voice recorder. Don't think it should be mandatory though. Plenty of people who use laptops probably don't feel like they need a webcam or voice recorder. Maybe a webcam that could be detachable to an extent?
atc7 04/01/07	I think this is a good idea which has to be done right to be successful. Dell should not follow other OEMs on this and have no option to disable the cam to conserve power. If they implement it in a way that allows users to manage its status then I'm all for it.
dymaxium 04/06/07	At best make it optional. I don't want it, and most people wouldn't use it on a regular basis. I have a external web cam that I haven't touched for over a year, and most services providing videoconferencing (ex. MSN or Yahoo) are simply not fast enough to provide a good video stream.
tricky 04/07/07	I saw one on a little sony that swiveled around and the computer could take video or photos. That was a nice feature. I agree that most people don't use them for video conferencing or chat, but a little swivel camera could be nice.
badblood 04/07/07	Dell doesn't have laptop cams! OMG. Call the friggen police. Give me Xanex!
sjqchill 04/16/07	Dell, you were too slow and just lost a sale. My wife decided she needed a new laptop and I was steering her towards an inspiron 1505, but when I priced out the exact specs of a higher end 1505 against an HP dv6000, the HP came out a full $300 less. That was after applying a dell $450 of $1499 coupon and an HP $200 off a $999 system. And, my wife's new HP has a built in Mic and Webcam, and it looks nicer, and now I have money for a new camera. Let me just say that I like Dell's machines. I'm in law school and I use my i9300 every day. But I see people and what laptops they're using every day. I, along with most of my classmates, bought our laptops about 2 years ago when we started law school. When I got my laptop, the i6000 and i9300 were really the best bang for the buck and looked cooler than anything else out there (except macbooks). Since then, I've seen HP make a huge change in their lineup making their lappies slimmer, shinier, and smarter. On the other hand, brand new dells look just about the same as my two year old machine. I can see the wisdom in stretching out the product life of a line, especially in a business context, but the inspiron line is aimed at the home. Let your latitude line stagnate if you must to make large buyers happy. But for the home and home office market, we are going to buy what's the best technology for the best price when we're ready to buy. Right now Dell is far from the top in terms of design, technology, and price. Dell, I realize you're a big company, and it takes a while to get ideas from the drawing board into consumers' hands, but you've got to innovate more and execute faster. The main reason I bought my computer from dell was that I got the best computer for the best deal. Now, however, Dell isn't selling the best computer nor does it have the best deals. Even Acer is starting to look better and better next to Dell's current offerings. If Dell is going to continue to lead the laptop market, it needs to lead, not follow. It needs to lead in design - it's high time to revamp the inspiron line, you can keep the cheap $500 series of machines how they are, but the main inspiron lineup needs help. Your new machines should be slimmer and more power efficient. Dell needs to lead in features offered for laptops. There needs to be an option to have a webcam on every laptop sold, but again that's following, not leading. Dell should offer innovative features like being the first to use flash-based hard drives to run the operating system and core applications. Dell should be the first to offer a fully-supported, viable linux distro on laptops. Dell should be the first to offer blu-ray/HD DVD recorders on a mainstream lappy (not an overpriced XPS). Dell should be the first to put HDMI out and inputs on laptops. These are all things Dell can do RIGHT NOW. Even if you don't release the actual product right now, get it off the drawing board, into production and issue press releases that you're offering computers that are leading, not following the pack. I realize some of my suggestions are going to be pricey options, but they are where laptops are heading. You're going to offer all these things sometime in the future anyway, why not lead the pack, make early adopters happy, and get this new technology into the mainstream faster? I sincerely hope you turn things around soon or I'll be forced to buy an HP myself in a year.
briantran_03 04/16/07	I recommend Dell should offer an option for webcam and integrated microphone for all the notebook line; now people can make call from using services from Yahoo Voice and Skype voice;
briantran_03 04/16/07	Totally agree with sjqchill ideas; I'm currently an HP authorized reseller and my customers do want to get HP notebook rather than Dell's since they want to have the webcam on the laptop even the price is a little expensive.
mboyington 04/19/07	I understand not having this by default, but I'm not sure I understand why it's not offered as an option on all laptops. Even if very expensive (say $100), I know that a lot of users, including myself, would gladly pay the extra to have a built-in webcam and mic on the Dell laptop of our choosing!
supremacy 04/19/07	Yes this is genious, copy the Apple computers.
chrisg_uk 04/20/07	I'm ready to upgrade my old Inspiron, but I want an integrated webcam. I'm waiting and hoping that Dell will come up with an option on a mid-range system. The M1210 is too expensive for me.
halbar 04/20/07	We have tried to set up a web cam for video calls on our 600m's. This was an incredible hassle. We bought an Apple 15" aluminum laptop. Yes, we are not computer geeks - we only use the computer for 3 things: writing, accounting, and web browsing. The Apple worked. It just worked. In a 30 seconds I was able to start a video conference with someone. We gave up on the Dells. If Dell were to offer video cameras on their computers, it would be very important to have the camera "just work." If we have to go through any- thing we normally have to go through to get things to work with windows, we just won't do it anymore. Yes, we would rather pay Apple a lot of money for an over-priced product, with less nice hardware, than to deal with anymore windows nightmares.
jtome 04/20/07	It's time Dell built a small 30 fps camera into all of their laptops. Apple has been doing this for a while now. Apple is even building their iSight into all of their larger iMac displays now as well. Maybe Dell should do this with their displays. Many people have Cable connections and would like to make video calls to family/friends. Make this camera compress video to Quicktime H.264 and the files will be a LOT smaller. Dell should also make their laptops use magnetic power coards like the Apple laptops do as well. No more tripping over coards and have your laptop fall to the floor and break.
jthurman 04/20/07	Some laptops have this option (like the M1210). I agree that all laptops should have this option, but I think peopel who don't want it should not be forced to pay for it. While my work M1210 came with it as part of the communication package, I do not use it for more than the novelty of getting it to work under Linux (which it does quite well)
hjwasson 04/20/07	I am hoping that the new XPS M1710 (whenever Dell gets around to updating it) will incorporate the A/V Communications module currently available on the M1210. In addition to the 1.3 MP webcam & microphone - I want the internal loop antennae that will allow adding on an internal mini-PCI broadband cellular modem (EVDO for Sprint or Verizon, HSUPA/HDSPA for Cingular) like the Option GTM380 (http://www.option.com/products/gtm_380.shtml)
jwvaughn 04/20/07	As an option - yes. On every laptop - no no no! Too many business with security concerns to even contemplate such an idea. On a personal level, I have no interest so why should I have to pay for it? Jerry
jtome 04/20/07	A friend of mine bought an Apple iSight video camera and actually got it to work with his Dell. He told me it took tweeking and downloading of drivers, but it works fine both video and audio at 30fps using a firewire connection. If this is possible, Dell should be doing this by now or at least have it as an upgrade option on their website where you customize your system.
mdh 04/20/07	And not just security concerns - lots of people just don't need these things, so why bump up the base price of every laptop system to provide them? My philosophy - keep the base price for a given model line as low as possible, and offer as many options or lack there of as an individual buyer wants. This way people aren't paying for something they're not going to use.
jtome 04/20/07	All of Apple's laptops have an iSight built into the system and sell for the same or cheaper than Dell laptops currently do.
bud 04/26/07	I can understand the idea of a webcam for communication factors but for a business use I do not see the practicality in it's useage. There are way too many other ways to communicate rather then using a video camera on a pc.

« Previous 1 2 Next »

Please log in to post a comment

last 100 promotions:

last 100 demotions:

Status

IdeaStorm Team

How IdeaStorm Works:

Categories

Status

IdeaStorm Team