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Does the webcam bother you?

Steve121178 said:
No, the 720p cost barely a dollar extra. The profit margin isn't so great on the 12" MacBook and the bean counters make the decisions at Apple. More expensive components like the cost of the display and added expense for the new keyboard all eats into profit margins in the eyes of the accountants.

Of course I am being a little facetious but this is the reason why they gave some 2015 tech some pathetic components. As ever with Apple, it's all about money.
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Obviously this must be the case. I mean just look at all the places that Apple scrimps on the quality of parts in their devices. I bet they could save a bit more than a dollar by using something cheaper than aluminum for the construction of the device. :rolleyes:
 
hans1972 said:
You did nothing to counter the argument?

Can you provide an example of a 720p web camera that would fit in the Macbook?
And also could you provide an example of how much less a 480p web camera would cost than a 720p in the sizes and volumes Apple would need to fit in the Macbook?
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Plenty of 720/1080 camera modules on tablets and phones that would easily fit inside the lid of a MacBook.

Apple would buy the cameras in large quantities. Typically a vendor wouldn't pay much more than around 10 dollars per module, based on the cost of the iPhone 6 camera for example. They really cost peanuts to make and I was being facetious when I said a dollar.
 
I'm pretty sure it's because of the thinness of the screen.

Cameras need space to provide good image quality. Look at the iPhone 6, which is way thicker than the rMB screen lid but still has a protruding camera. Or look at any DSLR or system camera with a "real" lens, they all make way better pictures than the iPhone.

You can't really bend physics in this case. It's definitely a compromise, especially in low-light the rMB webcam is close to being useless. I don't use it too much, though, so I'm not really bothered.
 
zhenya said:
Obviously this must be the case. I mean just look at all the places that Apple scrimps on the quality of parts in their devices. I bet they could save a bit more than a dollar by using something cheaper than aluminum for the construction of the device. :rolleyes:
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You should look into procurement and you would be surprised. Saving $5-$10 on something that is going to sell around 2,000,000 units is a lot of money.
 
Steve121178 said:
You should look into procurement and you would be surprised. Saving $5-$10 on something that is going to sell around 2,000,000 units is a lot of money.
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I understand perfectly well how costs scale. However, when the much cheaper Macbook Air has had a 720p camera for years, claims that Apple is cutting corners on the camera because they are 'greedy' or whatnot is strictly flame bait. The Macbook is made with no expense spared everywhere else, and we can plainly see that the lid is thinner than those used in the Air, to the point that they even gave up the iconic glowing apple. One answer here is fairly obvious; while the other require a stretch that ignores all available information and is being voiced strictly to get a rise out of people.
 
Steve121178 said:
Plenty of 720/1080 camera modules on tablets and phones that would easily fit inside the lid of a MacBook.
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That does not answer the question.

How thick is the top of the Macbook?
How thick is a 720p or 1080p web camera?

You are assuming that the top of the Macbook is as thick as a phone or tablet. Do you know that is true?
 
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Queen6 said:
Agree this smacks of Apple just being "cheap" for reasons unknown, a spot of "milking" for Gen-2. Technically I see no reason for 480p in 2015

Q-6
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That's one of the reasons I didn't buy Macbook. I'm looking for a new replacement for my Macbook Air 13, but at 1300 and no HD camera, it just doesn't make any sense to me. I do use webcam, so I need at least 720p webcam. I think its overpriced for what it is.
 
bh85 said:
That's one of the reasons I didn't buy Macbook. I'm looking for a new replacement for my Macbook Air 13, but at 1300 and no HD camera, it just doesn't make any sense to me. I do use webcam, so I need at least 720p webcam. I think its overpriced for what it is.
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That is absolutely understandable. Priorities differ. I share your view, btw.
 
bh85 said:
That's one of the reasons I didn't buy Macbook. I'm looking for a new replacement for my Macbook Air 13, but at 1300 and no HD camera, it just doesn't make any sense to me. I do use webcam, so I need at least 720p webcam. I think its overpriced for what it is.
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Would have gone with a Max`d out 11" Air, however I have issue with the display which I personally dislike. I can live with the 480p and will simply upgrade to Gen-2 as my Mac`s are function of business and therefore the cost is not an issue, equally for some a Retina Macbook is a significant individual purchase and I rather feel Apple`s "greed" overcomes it`s technical ability to deliver at times...

Q-6
 
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Queen6 said:
Would have gone with a Max`d out 11" Air, however I have issue with the display which I personally dislike. I can live with the 480p and will simply upgrade to Gen-2 as my Mac`s are function of business and therefore the cost is not an issue, equally for some a Retina Macbook is a significant individual purchase and I rather feel Apple`s "greed" overcomes it`s technical ability to deliver at times...

Q-6
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I agree. There is so much fragmentation between models. There is no model that will give you everything. As far as screens go, retina is always way to go. Second generation Macbook will be a lot better. Better camera and maybe an extra port.
 
Ghost31 said:
i can justify any of the other compromises made on this sexy ass laptop. A lot of the compromises they actually framed as "features". The one thing I just can't get behind is the 480p webcam. 480?! I almost thought I misheard when I first found out how low quality it was. It's just the strangest thing. Apple is all about quality and top end "current" tech features. "Look at this amazing retina display!....that you can watch standard definition webcam videos on".

It's not a huge deal personally because I don't use it much, but even if it came out last year with this quality cam that would be weird. My girlfriends 2012 base MacBook Air has a 720p cam! The decision to put 480 in just boggles my mind.

I think it's more the "wtf" of it than anything that gets to me. As weird as that sounds. Does it bother anybody else? Or did you say meh and move on?

Just thinking out loud
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I thought I wouldn't be bothered, but it is quite horrendous. I don't think there is a good reason for Apple using 480p. 720 wouldn't have taken more space and I can guarantee you they'll be putting a 720 in the next gen anyway. And this I think, is Apple's biggest reason for putting in the 480p. They want to give you a reason to upgrade in spring. I've noticed this with Apple. They are always 'note quite' giving customers what they want. I think they like to leave customers just slightly dissatisfied so that they are always kind of wanting to feel that they could upgrade. They're smart bastards.
 
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sasha.danielle said:
I thought I wouldn't be bothered, but it is quite horrendous. I don't think there is a good reason for Apple using 480p. 720 wouldn't have taken more space and I can guarantee you they'll be putting a 720 in the next gen anyway. And this I think, is Apple's biggest reason for putting in the 480p. They want to give you a reason to upgrade in spring. I've noticed this with Apple. They are always 'note quite' giving customers what they want. I think they like to leave customers just slightly dissatisfied so that they are always kind of wanting to feel that they could upgrade. They're smart bastards.
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all these paranoid theories. is it NOT possible that a 720p camera would NOT fit in the macbook lid? i mean, is it more believable that apple would create an impressive new design for it's laptops, then throw in a 480p camera just to mess with people?

anyway, after spending too much time at the apple store messing with the new macbook, am getting a new pro (my main app is logic X); need power over 'new'. but look forward to the macbook design trickling into the pro line...
 
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