Laptop PC Webcams
Whether you use it or not, whether it is a feature you really wanted or one that you could not avoid- most laptops come with pc cameras built in. The webcams that sit nearly invisible above the monitor are usually of less than outstanding quality. Some of them are nearly unusable.
So what do you do if you need a decent webcam to use for your laptop? What do you do if your laptop did not come with a pc camera at all? The answer is to invest in a separate laptop webcam.
Produced by several companies, these small devices clip onto your notebook and plug in to the USB port. They are small and stylish looking, but not always convenient to carry around due to their size, delicate construction, and the cable that connects it.
Logitech has several entries in this arena. They are a well known
webcam producer that has been around for years. The laptop PC camera
offered by Logitech generally costs in the $75.00 to $100.00 range.
They offer good, solid features like Carl Zeiss lenses and easy to use
software. Unfortunately, they are not always the most reliable
peripherals and sometimes break very easily (or for no reason at all).
Microsoft offers several economy brands of laptop webcams as well.
Unlike a normal PC camera, these small devices offer none of the
quality that you would associate with them. They are utilitarian at
best, with a bare minimum of functionality. If looking for an
inexpensive laptop cam that works, maybe because your laptop lacks one,
then these inexpensive attachments are a good fit. Microsoft webcams
for the laptop begin at about $30.00.
Finally, there are laptop webcams produced by Creative Labs. This company is a leader in the digital media industry. The cameras they offer are no exception. Loaded with features and bundled with useful software, they are reliable and generate an excellent picture. Unfortunately, the price of these webcams reflects that quality. With some models costing upwards of $200.00, these are for professions or real aficionados.
There are other more generic, nearly nameless companies that offer laptop pc cameras, but they cost roughly the same as a low-end name brand cam. The longevity of pc cameras specifically toned down to work on laptops is in question lately since almost all devices come with a basic webcam. For now, however, there are still many options available.