Thinkpads Forum

via engadget...

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engad ... webcam.jpg

http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/06/leno ... sb-webcam/

Looks like a pretty neat unit. I'm on the fence regarding these clip on USB cams...I think Apple is on to something with the built in unit at the top of the screen frame. Wouldn't want it built in at the expense of the think light however...

The Z61s already have an on-board webcam built-in to the top screen edge as well as the ThinkLight, so that is safe.

I do, however, like the design of that webcam. The mount looks rather interesting as well.

christopher_wolf wrote:The Z61s already have an on-board webcam built-in to the top screen edge as well as the ThinkLight, so that is safe.

I do, however, like the design of that webcam. The mount looks rather interesting as well.

I guess the advantage of this design is the 360 degree capability allowing a bit more versatility than the built in ones.

Somehow...Somehow I don't want to be reminded of the last "360" webcam I used that was on a laptop. It was a Vaio and, whilst it came in handy at times, it would have been better to have simply had a dedicated camera for taking pictures; besides, most cell phones have built-in cameras as well, so bluetooth could just be used for the most part.

I think it was this

different axis, but I see your point.

The Lenovo design blog has a short topic on the thinking behind the design of this camera. The closing lid is supposed to be reminiscent of the old Bond style spy cameras. Sort of is. Other items were mentioned, just don't recall them.

I'd much rather it be built in... one less thing to carry, break, loose.

I wouldn't mind if it replaced the Thinklight... IMHO it's a useless feature anyway. The display gives off 100X more light anyway, and when not using the display it's still to dim for any real use.

DIGITALgimpus says:

I'd much rather it be built in... one less thing to carry, break, loose.

Many people think as you, I'm just not one of them. Where technology may change frequently and I can break a component out of another product, I prefer to do so. I would not prefer a built-in camera cz technology is still emerging and what is state of the art will soon change. For the same reason I don't want a built-in camera, I don't want a built-in WWAN. The postings over at the evdo forum make evident that the technology is still quickly changing. When I ordered the x60s, I chose to not have WWAN cz new advances will soon diminish the appeal of the current implementation.

As for the computer, it has not changed much in a decade. IMHO, the core duo is the biggest change in the computer since the 386SX replaced the 286. If a person knows what he or she is doing, it is not necessary, or financially prudent, to always have the latest and greatest.

I wouldn't mind if it replaced the Thinklight... IMHO it's a useless feature anyway. The display gives off 100X more light anyway, and when not using the display it's still to dim for any real use.

I can't comment on this but to say I hope my opinion is different. I've been following the trek of my order from departure in Shangai to its current location in Philadelphia. (I expect to receive it tommorrow.) I've been using a reading light to illuminate the keyboard without disturbing my sleeping wife, who is realllllly sensitive to light. My hope is that the thinklight will provide the light to see the keyboard.

DIGITALgimpus wrote:I wouldn't mind if it replaced the Thinklight... IMHO it's a useless feature anyway.

I use the Thinklight almost every day while I'm eating breakfast and reading e-mail. Keeps me from having to turn any lights on while I'm still coming to.

While I don't use the ThinkLight every day, there are times that it comes in handy. I am glad my ThinkPad has one.

Neither Engadget nor Lenovo mentions anything about the sensor type. Is it CMOS or CCD?

I love when they write a whole bunch of fancy nonsense crap about a product, and leave out a core property...

well here is MY thought(s) on a new camera for a thinkpad...

and these have been done for years..
my A30p had a nioce plug in camera that plugged into a small port on the top edge of the display..
my 850 PowerPC RS6000 has a si,milar bt much larger camera that probably was a precursor the the A30pp camera..
and there were others..

this lenovo effort while cute is probably as lame as the camera i never use in my motorola RAZR..

IF they want to do a real camera it should clip on like the one they have but use bluetooth to communicate with the thinkpad and a small induction arrangement to power it..
you know, a small coil in the top edge of the thinkpad anbd a similar coil in the clip base of the camera..
completely wireless and with an autofocus feature and auto iris more useful than what i imagine is out there now..

Count my vote on a built-in cam. Or make the lid with a dummy plastic cover which can be replaced smoothly with a cam.

hiyel wrote:Neither Engadget nor Lenovo mentions anything about the sensor type. Is it CMOS or CCD?

I love when they write a whole bunch of fancy nonsense crap about a product, and leave out a core property...

Probably a CMOS, since it isnt a very HQ camera.

My opinion on the Thinklight is that it works, and is useful, but I would so much rather have backlit keys, if it could be done in a way that wouldnt compromise the integrity of the keyboard (i assume it would make water accidents more hazardous if the kb were backlit).

I prefer the ThinkLight as opposed to a backlit keyboard because it has the ability to illuminate the surroundings of the Thinkpad as well. Really useful when you are on a night flight or late at night when you have a notepad nearby and you are writing down notes or solving some equations to read off and enter into the Thinkpad later. Granted, it has to be rather dark for most people to use it like that, but it is a significant advantage over just a simple, backlit keyboard. It also decreases the costs of a new keyboard from a purchaser/supplier standpoint.

admin - why the oppostion to posting images in forums... the Thinkpad Nation is not dial up based, is it?

Just asking.

Thanks.

u2wedge wrote:admin - why the oppostion to posting images in forums... the Thinkpad Nation is not dial up based, is it?

Just asking.

Thanks.

This subject has been covered in the Forum Suggestion Box.

There's a decent deal right now on the Lenovo Webcam: $62.73 shipped.

Follow this link to Buy.com http://tinyurl.com/sp4rk and then use Google Checkout, which takes $20 off. Be sure to select free shipping during checkout.

Looks great, and is ridiculously priced here in Europe. 80 €!

I read somewhere that it comes with an extremely long USB cord. I don't know if there is a shorter option as well, but can you imagine the hassle with all that cable behind your laptop at an airport?

The camera needs a system to reel the cable in, or maybe a Bluetooth camera?