New MacBook Air and MacBook Pro Still Have 720p Camera, But Apple Promises Better Quality From M1

[MacRumors]

During today's event where Apple unveiled the new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models, there was a mention of a new image signal processor for the camera, which brings some improvements to camera quality.

Apple did not, however, add new camera hardware to the two machines, and the technical specifications pages continue to list the same 720p camera used in prior-generation models.

Camera quality, especially in the MacBook Air, has been something that Mac owners have complained about for years now. Apple has gone through many generations of the MacBook Air without adding any new camera hardware.

Apple says the M1 chip improves MacBook camera quality with better noise reduction, greater dynamic range, improved auto white balance, and ML-enhanced face detection so users "look their best during video calls," but we'll need to wait to see the camera tested out to see if there's a notable difference between this model and the prior model.


Article Link: New MacBook Air and MacBook Pro Still Have 720p Camera, But Apple Promises Better Quality From M1

 

[ItchyRat2160]

Jeeesssssssssssuuuusssss christ. They're really going to phone it in for this first round, aren't they?

 

[CostaMoses]

I was ready to pull the trigger until this...

Everything else sounds awesome.

Maybe Q1 or Q2 2021 will have an update.

 

[fromgophonetoiphone]

The 720p webcam today is laughable, although the # of people who struggle with internet connectivity to reliably stream 720p video is also shockingly high.

 

[Johnny907]

Oh good, so we'll look like a machine processed potato? Looks like the external webcam gets to remain part of my travel kit.

 

[Dydegu]

This is wild. I thought for sure the Pro would have a 1080p webcam. Hopefully the new 16" next year will have one.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

These first generation apple powered MacBooks really seem like they were rushed out the door.
The mid to late 2021 MacBook pros are rumored to stretch that screen from 13.3 to 14.1“, use mini LED instead of LCD, possibly include face ID, and have a 12 core model on the higher end.
those sound like the ones to buy.

 

[BornAgainMac]

I might just get the new Mac Mini and a cheapo Web cam from Amazon instead.

 

[sajlonix]

JOKE 😂😂😂

 

[RFolk]

Logic Pro 10.6.0 is coming soon (I think) . Found this remark in the Apple M1 chip footnote : https://www.apple.com/mac/m1/#footnote-11

 

[itsmilo]

Looking forward to another year of ill looking purple coworkers on my screen 😩

 

[matt_and_187_like_this]

"Apple says the M1 chip improves MacBook camera quality"

🤡

 

[Return Zero]

Cheap, but for video meetings I'd expect the new ISP to do a better job with 720p than the old ISP with 1080p. Apple's iPhones being stuck at 12MP forever, yet getting notably better every year, has really illustrated the power of processing when it comes to digital image capture.

 

[jayducharme]

How much more would a 1080p camera have cost them? Don't they have any iPhone 5 or 6 cameras that they could have used instead? If they're touting this as a good alternative during the pandemic, the least they could do is put a decent camera in it.

 

[UndefinedxJoker]

Is Apple’s hardware design team just getting paid to do nothing? Or do they take decade-long vacations?

 

[triangletechie]

I suspect 1080p will be saved for the rumored 14.1" and 16.1" redesigns that supposedly arrive next year.

 

[igetit]

And only 2 TB3 Ports for either model too. What's up with that? I would have expected 4 ports on the MacBook Pro 13". That's a no for me...

 

[KPOM]

Jeeesssssssssssuuuusssss christ. They're really going to phone it in for this first round, aren't they?

That's what they did when they transitioned to Intel. The redesigns won't be until next year or 2022.

 

[macintoshmac]

I am particularly disappointed with the camera. They know people will keep buying even when they can provide better hardware. Also, next iteration or maybe after three more they may finally have 1080p in one generation and hail it as the greatest Apple computer ever. Power-wise it is okay, I am completely satisfied and it remains to be seen how things will go for all users. But seriously, removal of two ports? Not even one on each side! This is atrocious. They can say this is replacing base MBP, but still.

Hoping for more powerful chips to enable 4 ports. I have used 3 before so I know my use and cannot do with two. It is why I had not bought myself the 2-port MacBook Pro but went with Pro with 4 ports when I did for the two ports extra I needed.

 

[KPOM]

And only 2 TB3 Ports for either model too. What's up with that? I would have expected 4 ports on the MacBook Pro 13". That's a no for me...

It's replacing the base 13" Pro, which had only 2 ports.

 

[applicious84]

Yeah, but I heard you can get bootcamp and a new camera with airtags

 

[kwokaaron]

One of the reasons why I’m still holding onto my 2012 MacBook Pro, which also has a 720p camera......

 

[Rychiar]

pathetic. why do iPads get better parts....

 

[mcdawg]

Is Apple’s hardware design team just getting paid to do nothing? Or do they take decade-long vacations?

It's what happens when the design teams "work-from-home."

 

[Johnny907]

Cheap, but for video meetings I'd expect the new ISP to do a better job with 720p than the old ISP with 1080p. Apple's iPhones being stuck at 12MP forever, yet getting notably better every year, has really illustrated the power of processing when it comes to digital image capture.

You're aware the sensors and the optics have been updated with each generation, yeah? The 12MP spec has stayed the same but the tech actually capturing those 12MP's has continually improved. Not so for the webcam inside the current MBP's, which is the exact same part that's been inside an MBP since the 2016 Revision.