Notebookcheck Logo

Dear manufacturers, users want better web cameras!

Dear manufacturers, users want better web cameras!
Dear manufacturers, users want better web cameras!
Asus advertises the quad-array microphone as one of the main features of the ExpertBook, which costs upwards of 2000 Euros (~$2400). It is supposed to improve the video-conferencing experience. At the same time, Asus uses the same 720p web camera as in almost all other current laptops such as the 3000-Euro (~$3600) MacBook Pro. When most people have to use their web camera everyday to study or work from home, this has to change!
Opinion by Christian Hintze
Views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author.

I have recently competed my review of the Asus Expertbook. While I found the extremely light (less than 1 kg) 14-inch ultrabook quite exciting, I am going to use this occasion to make a general criticism about modern laptops. It has to do with the web camera. 

The Asus ExpertBook B9... (source: Asus)
The Asus ExpertBook B9... (source: Asus)
weighs less than a carton of milk (source: Asus)
weighs less than a carton of milk (source: Asus)

Recently, I gave purchasing advice to two of my acquaintances. The first one is a natural health practitioner who had to rely on video conferencing to see her patients. The other one needed a new work laptop and also wanted her kids to use it for home-schooling. These two and many other people are asking for a laptop with a good web camera in the times of remote work and schooling. However, there is no such laptop.

Even the 2800-Euro (~$3350) MacBook Pro 16 comes with a 720p web camera, does it not? Entry-level smartphones have better cameras, and many people have to switch to their smartphone when the time comes for video conferencing. The new challenges that we all have to deal with everyday offer manufacturers the opportunity to get new customers by offering a simple feature—a good web camera.

The MacBook Pro 16 & 13: Premium, expensive, but still with a 720p web camera (source: Apple)
The MacBook Pro 16 & 13: Premium, expensive, but still with a 720p web camera (source: Apple)

In the meantime, many people have to use applications, which turn their smartphone into web cameras. And sure, you can buy a 200-Euro (~$240) 1080p external web camera. However, who would like to have to tote around additional accessories with their new 2000-Euro (~$2400) thin and light laptop? No one. People need a laptop that is fit for all the tasks that have to be carried out throughout the day. And these days, video conferencing is something that a lot of people have to do, which is why, dear manufacturers, we need good web cameras.

Read all 9 comments / answer
static version load dynamic
Loading Comments
Comment on this article
Opinion by Christian Hintze
Views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author.
Opinion by Stanislav Kokhanyuk
Views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author.
Please share our article, every link counts!
> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > Reviews > Dear manufacturers, users want better web cameras!
Christian Hintze, 2021-03-15 (Update: 2021-03-15)